“If you want something you’ve never had, then you have got to do something you’ve never done.”- Anonymous
If a time traveler visiting Nigeria after about half a century views the nation from a superficial angle, everything may appear to have changed. But when he or she views the nation from the economic lens, not much has really changed. A nation’s technological capability is not the only parameter that can be used to measure its economic development. The factors are numerous, diverse and bound together in a complex web. They include but not limited to culture, education, human and natural resources, industrial development strategy and technology amongst others.
A couple of weeks ago, this writer read several articles on the need for Nigeria to be restructured. While purging themselves of necessary arguments, some analysts are of the view that Nigeria was not structured for economic development and that there is urgent need for structural reform. Others argued strongly too that the nation equally needs political reform. From various perspectives, it could be deduced that despite concerted efforts by governments to revamp the economy, the nation appears still but still standing.
This writer is aware that a lot has to be done by the federal and state governments to accelerate economic growth by enforcing transparency and accountability of contracts, ensuring constant electricity supply, blocking loopholes in procurement rules, and wiping out corrupt practices amongst others. There is room for improvement. On the political front, where do we start from in order to have a new Nigeria? Is it by going back to the old regional arrangement? Do we need to abandon the presidential system of government and come up with a new constitution based on the nation’s peculiar circumstance? How do you react to these questions when you read in a newspaper that “militants bomb chevron facility in Escravos.”
On the economic front, one may ask: what is the philosophy behind state governors’ request for eighteen months moratorium from the federal government to enable them pay back “bailout” funds? I doubt if governors’ proposal to Mr President includes how they intend to get enough Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in their respective states to enable them payback the “bailout” after eighteen months. What is the justification for having a government where about 10 percent of the population consumes almost 90 percent of the wealth of the state?
For instance, a state receiving about N2.0 billion from the federation account pays out about N1.8 billion as staff salaries, wages, and overhead costs on a monthly basis. This profile does not show that such a state is economically viable. Even at the federal level, 40 percent of total spending is spent on civil service wage bill. Are “ghost” workers responsible for these bloated figures? If it was true, then it is a shame that “ghosts” are working in Nigeria. In which bank accounts are salaries of ghost workers paid, and who are the “ghosts” collecting the salaries?
Besides paying salaries to “ghost” workers, states find it difficult to generate revenues. Perhaps it is time for economic reforms at state and federal levels respectively. If we desire a society that is prosperous, then the anonymous quote above becomes relevant. Governments at federal and state levels need to re-strategize and do things differently for positive results. Nigeria deserves a government led by leaders with strategic vision and basic understanding of governance. Nigeria needs economic reforms. This will transform our society into a more prosperous nation.
Although, culture is key to achieving economic development, but one may never understand fully why exactly some nations cannot achieve economic growth despite abundance of resources. I strongly believe a nation will be poor because of deficiencies in culture. Poor nations will remain poor unless the people begin to seriously examine their culture in order to identify some of the causes of failure. That is why scholars and philosophers who say that culture is an integral part of the society are correct.
Overtime, Nigerians have developed a culture of “this is the way we have been doing it.” If you have worked in the civil or public service in Nigeria you will attest to my assertion. Any value system that has condescend to a level where people lack interest in acquiring knowledge and search for better ways of doing things is bound to fail. That is, a society where people are unable to learn, apply and reward knowledge will never become part of the contemporary world.
The ability to save and invest, which are germane to economic development is minimized in a society with about 11 percent unemployment and 18.6 percent underemployment rates respectively. The total figure according to reports makes Nigeria represent about 14 percent of global unemployment in 2016. In a nation where the minimum wage is N18, 000 and those workers assumed to be “well paid” carry the financial burden of hangers-on makes corruption inevitable. Perhaps, more damaging is the fact that dependence creates a band of ever dependent citizens, who may find it difficult to fend for themselves nor contribute to the larger society.
Security is very key in economic development. We need to have peace in Nigeria. It is not negotiable. Without peace there cannot be economic development. This is because the essence of governance is to secure lives and property of citizens. When lives and properties of citizens are not protected, there is not likely to be social, political and economic progress in the society. It is regrettable that Nigeria is now a state characterized by crime, kidnapping, cultism, banditry, and lawlessness. Added to all these are oil pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft by Nigerians. These negatives breed social instability and discourage prospective investors. Indeed, it worsens the risk profile of the country.
In order to have a new Nigeria, both leadership and followership need to have a rethink about their character. It is good followers that create good leaders. Behind institutions you have people. People run institutions and not vice versa. You may have reputation but your character may be weak. We need to build a new society on morals and character, not reputation. Nigeria needs to strengthen institutions by putting the right men and women with appropriate qualifications in positions of authority. The era of appointments without requisite qualification must go. A nurse with 30 years of post-qualification experience cannot be called a medical doctor. The nation must embrace meritocracy, not mediocrity.
The extent of our failure to build a true Nigerian nation is evidenced in the fact that some tribes have now emerged as masters who control land, appointments at federal and state levels and the polity. This is another variant of colonialism. Until Nigerians irrespective of religion and tribe treat themselves equally and judged by their expertise and knowledge, Nigeria cannot exist as a cohesive and single corporate entity. Accordingly, the political development we all crave for will be a delusion of the highest order.
This is our moment of grace as a nation, let’s grab it. Change does not happen miraculously. We must work towards achieving it. We need to change a culture that is unproductive. The culture of impunity is unacceptable. If we want change as a nation, Nigerians must be prepared to change our “third world” habits- lawlessness, impunity, corruption, bribery, vandalism, and armed robbery, amongst others. All hands must be on deck to champion the new cause of a new Nigeria.
MA Johnson
