Our Nigeria...

Lately, I have been conducting several researches. Don’t worry I won’t bore you with gist of the women's fashion world and trending designer shoes... LOL!

Well, let’s just say that the history classes I found boring back in my secondary school days are beginning to be delightful. Please, do not ask me HOW IT HAPPENED because I do not have a substantial explanation. Out of the blues, Pre-Nigerian Civil War era has not only captured my attention, but has held me captivated.  My research revealed detailed figures and records which I will not burden you with. 

However, all you need to know is that Nigeria was once a major exporter of major minerals like tin, Columbite, Coal, Timber and various Agricultural products. Nigeria was ranked as a promising economy. Our coal mines were extracting coals regularly; mining of various minerals were stable. While our timber was among the best and most sought after in the world various Agricultural products like cocoa, groundnut, palm oil and so on were being exported on a regular basis. The regional governments were in charge of production and efficiently managed and encouraged human and economic development among the regions. 


But, we had lingering precolonial ethnic, economic, religious and political issues which resulted in coups and counter coups and eventually led to a full blown war. The advent of the Civil War, commonly known as the Biafran War in 1967, led to the abandonment of production mines, farmlands and sites by youths who enlisted to fight in the war. Many souls were lost and after the war, most Nigerians were too broken and more interested in mourning loved ones and getting their lives back. There were unsuccessful attempts to revive production in our previously flourishing mines but most of them were never able to recover. Then came the Oil boom, which resulted in grandeur of corruption, incompetence, in-comprehensive economic reforms and a total collapse of our system. We became a wealthy nation of impoverished people. How did this happen? 

Well, with the discovery and exploration of oil popularly called "Black Gold" there was a definitive shift in the focus of most of our successive governments from; safeguarding the rights of the people to sustaining personal enrichment of government officials. Little wonder a popular Nigerian leader once said "Money is not Nigeria's problem, but how to spend it" The scramble for readily available revenue by most government officials was overwhelming as everyone wanted a piece of the national cake. The acquired wealth were over the years sustained through divisive methods and policies all aimed at maintaining their positions as majority shareholders  in the profits realized from oil production. As expected, the effects were major internal conflicts, assassination of persons considered obstacles and more poverty. No wonder we are now renowned for having the highest number of extremely poor people despite the fact that we are one of the largest oil producing nations in the world. 

So, I am guessing that the numerous “gates” and the usually vague news of funds allocated for projects vanishing without valid justifications are suddenly making so much sense right?

To be continued...