By Oyewole Sarumi Ph.D
Nigeria, a nation blessed with abundant resources and a vibrant culture, has the potential to be a global powerhouse. However, certain deeply ingrained attitudes and behaviors hinder its progress.
To unlock its potential, we must address these challenges head-on.
The Root of the Problem: A Culture of Dependency
A significant obstacle to Nigeria’s development is a pervasive culture of dependency. Many Nigerians rely heavily on government intervention and external aid, rather than taking personal responsibility for their circumstances. This mentality has led to a lack of initiative, innovation, and accountability.
Key Challenges and Solutions
Religious Extremism: Solution: Promote religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue. Encourage religious leaders to emphasize the importance of peace, love, and social justice.
Tribalism and Ethnic Divisions: Solution: Encourage national unity and patriotism. Promote cultural exchange and inter-ethnic marriages.
Corruption and Inefficiency Solution: Strengthen anti-corruption agencies, enforce laws, and promote transparency and accountability.
Poor Work Ethic: Solution: Encourage a strong work ethic through education and training. Promote punctuality, diligence, and a sense of responsibility.
Lack of Innovation and Creativity: Solution: Invest in education, research, and development. Encourage entrepreneurship and risk-taking.
Negative Mindset: Solution: Promote a positive mindset and a belief in the power of individual action. Encourage Nigerians to take ownership of their problems and seek solutions.
Overreliance on Government: Solution: Encourage self-reliance and entrepreneurship. Promote the development of a strong private sector. Love for foreign goods and services:
Many entrepreneurial centres across Nigeria engage in great works: production of men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing, shoes, and other accessories. However, they are tagged with foreign labels as Nigerians detest made-in-Nigeria goods!
Go to Tejuoso market in Lagos and Ariara market in Aba to see the idiocy of the trends, as many are proud of doing such nonsense. It’s time to be proactive and give local labels to our products and services so that the West African Market can start accepting us as a takeoff.
The Path Forward
To overcome these challenges and build a prosperous Nigeria, we must: Invest in Education: A well-educated population is essential for economic growth and social development.
Human Capital Development: Deliberate and systematic development of our human resources in all the relevant skill sets that cut across businesses and corporations is a sine qua non for the development of any nation. We can adopt and adapt the Singapore concept during the LKY years and subsequently craft a workable solution for this 21st-century economy.
Promote Good Governance: Ensure transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. Only responsible leadership will support this and put them on the front burner of nation-building.
Massive Infrastructural Development: Can you imagine FCT didn’t have subways railways and metro when conceived? It was unimaginable. Nigeria needs massive infrastructures that cut across transportation, health, and energy (electricity and fuel, power, etc.)
With existing mass transit in place, the excruciating effect of the present government’s economic reforms would be minimal. Time is now to do the needful and engage international support to build solid infrastructure in at least all 36 State capitals and link them all by rail and expressways that are motorable and modern. Nigerians deserve it.
Encourage Entrepreneurship: Support small and medium-sized enterprises to create jobs and drive economic growth. Tax incentives for small businesses and grants are necessities that must be put in place.
Build a Culture of Innovation: Encourage creativity and risk-taking amongst the community, business, and social groups.
Embrace Technology: Leverage technology to improve efficiency and productivity. This is the way to go, and the earlier we accept this, the better for our future. Let’s embrace digital transformation now!
Promote Unity and Tolerance: Celebrate diversity and work towards national cohesion. Some aspects of consociational democracies may be a blessing if we dare put them in place.
Hold Leaders Accountable
Demand transparency, accountability, and good governance. Remember Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL). This is what our so-called leaders must always eat!
Strengthening of Institutions: Build strong, independent institutions to ensure good governance. Nigeria lacks strong leadership who can build strong institutions. Most of the present crops of leaders are weak but have strong personalities, that they deploy to weaken institutions in a prebendal system that we currently operate.
Prioritize Sustainable Development: Balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.
Strengthening Social Cohesion: Promote unity and understanding among different ethnic and religious groups.
Conclusion
I posit Nigeria can realize its full potential and become a global leader by dedicatedly addressing these issues and embracing positive change. Let’s remember that change begins with each individual. We must strive to be better citizens, to hold ourselves accountable, and to contribute positively to our nation’s development. That’s the only way out of the present quagmire.
Blessings