Nigeria @ 50: Getting Started

 Opinion/Analysis

By Hakeem Babalola

Nigeria like many other nations has faced many troubles on its way to becoming a nation of note. Nigeria’s case as a nation may be different from many others due to several factors beyond its control or capacity. These factors shall surface here and there in this article.

Starting from early history to pre-colonial states (1500-1800) to the British sphere of influence leading to the amalgamation in 1914 when the area was formally united as the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria to the Independence in 1960 (Nigeria proclaimed itself the Federal Republic of Nigeria in October 1963 and Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe became the country’s first president) to the first Republic and period of military rule to the Second and the Abortive Third Republic to the Fourth Republic.

The above is just a sketchy summary of the main points, and no doubt what has defined the Nigerian nation today. Before going in perspective, it is important to state that Nigerians passionately believe the country is rich in resources – both human and natural – that can accelerate its development. Experts and intellectuals alike have been wondering why the country still lean toward developing, or to be precise under-developed.

The answer to that may be found in the first paragraph of this essay. The factors that have been slowing down the progress of this nation are many and may be beyond its control. Some would argue that the first period and subsequent military rule is highly responsible for what appears to be the calamity facing the nation. Indeed, this assertion may be correct, but it seems the root cause is larger than the military hegemony.

Apparently, the military or Khaki boys manipulated the existing root-cause factors to the maximum to destabilise and dabaru everything for the purpose of what might be called innate ambition. These Khaki boys recklessly engaged in youthful exuberance misusing authority for personal aggrandisement. However without the root-cause factors, the goons in the military would have failed woefully.

Nigerians – both educated and uneducated – simply allowed the military usurpers to carry out their wickedness and immorality. They erected a nefarious system to exploit people and they did it with impunity. The military elite may not all that bright, but certainly cunning. They collaborated with their civilian counterparts to further cheat the masses and the entire nation. That – apart from the root-cause factors – has been a sorrow and longing gnawing at us.

These root-cause factors are in social dimension: ethnicity, language, false patriotism, religion, culture, corruption, and lack of trust among different ethnic groups. With these factors, it is highly doubtful if a nation can indeed progress. As of today, Nigeria is one of few countries suffering from the combination of this social malaise. Unless these factors are critically and truthfully examined with efforts at true conciliation, benevolent lasting solution may evade the nation and its people.

Perhaps efforts geared toward such true conciliation by different governments have failed due to insincerity of purpose. How true is the old cliché that it is impossible to plant okro and reap egusi. Such sentimental cliché about One Nigeria and cessation! Certain powerful individuals do not want Nigeria to be, yet they pretend to be patriots because they are people of diabolical cunning.  

Despite two break-away attempts by the Ijaw led Isaac Boro in 1966 and the Ibo led Ojukwu in 1967 respectively, why is the nation not bold enough to go separate ways? This is due to divide and rule method established by the British oppressors when they joined the South and the North in a marriage of convenience in that 1914 wedding. This was strictly followed by the superior coercive power of the State.

A critical study of events from the first Republic to the present day Nigeria shows the same pattern –the military-civilian cult – passing the baton of retrogression to one another as they continuously ruin a potential great nation. They voraciously injected corruption into our polity. And the so-called intellectual class implicitly helped contribute to this atrocity by serving under the military or civilian non benevolent dictators.

Thus any right thinking person knows that the Nigerian environment and patriotism is definitely in a clash. Many of those expected to educate the masses themselves are confused. This particular group lacks strategic planning and organisation to regain power from the vultures feeding on the nation root-cause factors. It seems the political chase is more thrilling than holding on to the struggling catch for this group.

Of course it takes time for a nation to eventually emerge. Also, it takes approximately 20 to 30 years after a nation has actually started before its development can be easily seen. Has Nigeria taken that path? This is frightening considering the fact that many nations who got their independence at the same time as Nigeria has cured their incipient baldness.

At 50 Nigeria should have emerged as a great nation, or it should have held on to its “Giant of Africa” image – of the 70’s. By commission or omission, we approved and accepted the military’s blue songs – of coups and counter-coups. It was, in retrospect, one of the worst mistakes we ever made.

As we celebrate our Golden Independent Jubilee, we should reflect as we party here and there. We should remember that many Nigerians are dissatisfied; even sad about the snail movement of development. No good roads, no water, no constant electricity, no health care, and our educational system seem to be in a coma. At 50 we should recognise the importance of planning, organising and controlling.

We should be truthful to ourselves. Are we on the right path or not? Your honest answer during this golden jubilee may be the beginning – of getting started