Nigeria: A Giant in Shackles — The Economy That Forgot Its People

Nigeria: A Giant in Shackles

Nigeria is a great country and so abundant with both human and mineral resources in every geopolitical zone, yet it is one of the most challenging places to live on earth. For readers unfamiliar with Nigeria, a quick search will provide insight into its complexity. Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule on October 1st, 1960. By July 6th, 1967, the country was plunged into a civil war that lasted until January 15th, 1970. 

Taking note that only seven years passed between independence and war, it suggests that from the start, the state struggled to progress under its leadership. History shows the civil war was caused by political, economic, ethnic, and cultural tensions that began during decolonization (1960–1963). These tensions escalated during the first military coup and the subsequent counter-coup, leading to the oppression and intimidation of the Igbos in Northern Nigeria.

Geography and Untapped Wealth

Nigeria is bordered by Niger Republic to the North, Chad and Cameroon to the East, Benin Republic to the West, and the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the South. The North is rich with fertile soil for agriculture and mineral resources such as gold, while the South is abundant in crude oil and gas. 

Yet, to date, Nigeria has never annexed these resources for the betterment of its citizens. Instead, leaders have focused on accumulating wealth at the expense of the country. This present generation is now bearing the brunt of decisions made by a greedy few. Today, the middle class has vanished. The cost of living is so high that almost 85% of the population cannot afford basic staples like bread, noodles, and grains. The currency is in shambles with no external value, and there is a persistent lack of power supply and potable water.

A State of Hopelessness

Nothing is affordable and nothing is working. People lose their jobs daily; babies cry because there is no food; many are out of school; and the cost of rent is insane—often higher than average income. Everyone is confused, and the citizens feel hopeless. Meanwhile, the leaders remain focused on embezzlement. Because their own children live abroad, they remain indifferent to the situation, knowing they can flee if things get out of hand.

Currently, public presence from the presidency is lacking. Despite ongoing protests, the public has not seen or been addressed by the leadership. The way things are going, Nigeria feels like a ticking time bomb.

The Paradox of the New Tax

Paying tax is a fundamental obligation of a citizen. You earn a living and pay your share so the government can provide good roads, healthcare, schools, and housing. But in Nigeria, it seems only the poor—specifically civil servants and small business owners—pay tax. Government officials live on taxpayers' money but do not feel it is their duty to contribute back. Politicians often steal with no fear of consequences because the institutions meant to monitor corruption are often run by those who are also corrupt.

The Cycle of Governance and Sentiment

Another problem lies in how citizens decide who governs. There is often a preference for older, uneducated figures over the young and educated. After four years of suffering, people often forget their hardships and are hoodwinked into voting for the same leadership again. 

How do you liberate a people who are easily gullible or prone to sentiment? How do you educate a population so disunited that they prefer fighting over working together for the common good?

Economic Mismanagement and the Future

The government continues to borrow despite claiming they have saved money from the removal of subsidies. This borrowed money is frequently stolen. Leaders claim they need funds for hospitals, yet they travel abroad for their own medical treatment, fleeing the very facilities they call "world-class."

The economy is in shambles, jobs are disappearing, and the cost of food is skyrocketing. The government remains focused on the next election rather than economic stability or basic needs. Tragically, the same citizens wallowing in hunger are often the ones clamoring for their oppressors to continue. In Nigeria, if you bleed for the country, you often find yourself standing alone.

The Shadow of a Giant

Nigeria used to be the gold in a dark place; it was once a beacon illuminating a signal for the lost soul and the anchor of Africa. It used to be a proud country, one that made the world tremble at the mere mention of the name "NIGERIA." 

But now, the country is a shadow of its former self. It has become a farming ground for the corrupt, a hub for enterprising criminals, and a hotbed of poverty. You may think my description is harsh, but compared to the reality others face, I am being mild—perhaps even giving the country a pat on the back. 

The Cycle of the Programmed

The people of Nigeria have become like robots programmed for specific tasks. Consider the lead-up to an election: those in power—the rulers—subject the people to deep suffering, poverty, and starvation. In response, the people wail and curse in anguish, but those curses are rarely directed at the politicians. Instead, they are aimed at their fellow poverty-stricken comrades. 

One person who has suffered immensely might eventually come to their senses and vow never to vote for the same leadership again. Yet, another person, equally suffering, will curse him and say, "You are mad; that man is the best. He is a role model and I am his big fan."

The Continental Contrast

Elected officers hold diplomatic passports and can travel to any country of their choice. They prefer the "good life" that Europe offers, yet they never reciprocate that quality of life in their own country. They travel abroad and use public transport, like underground rails and buses; they see wide, paved streets, constant electricity, and running taps. They witness how European governments respect their citizens. 

However, when these leaders return home, they "provide" for their people by digging manual wells and creating muddy roads. The hospitals remain in shambles, and the crime rate stays high. When election time arrives, they pretend to care by sharing a few grains of rice with people so beaten by hunger that they have no choice but to accept. Some parents look at the skeleton-like forms of their children and weep as they take the offering.

The Difficulty of Education

One thing I have advocated for throughout my life is educating people on their rights—teaching them how to demand accountability and say, "Enough is enough." But what I have witnessed shows me that this work is enormous. Due to the ingrained nature of poverty, it is a monumental task to reach the people; as the saying goes, it is incredibly hard to educate a hungry man.

The Path Forward: Breaking the Chains of Silence

The situation in Nigeria is no longer a matter of mere politics; it is a crisis of the human soul. When a nation’s wealth is exported while its citizens starve, the very foundation of society begins to crumble. We must ask ourselves: how much longer can a "ticking time bomb" remain stable before the pressure becomes too great to contain? The leaders rely on the silence of the hungry, but silence does not mean peace; it is often the quiet before a great storm.

The work of liberation starts with the mind. While it is hard to educate a hungry man, it is even harder to sustain a nation built on lies. We must move beyond the "grains of rice" and the empty promises that resurface every four years. True patriotism is not loyalty to a leader who neglects you; it is loyalty to the future of your children and the land that should be their inheritance.

If Nigeria is to ever return to being the "gold in a dark place," it will not be because a politician suddenly found a conscience. It will be because the citizens—the "poverty-stricken comrades"—finally realized that their shared suffering is a stronger bond than the tribalism and sentiments used to divide them. We must demand a country where a diplomatic passport is not the only ticket to a dignified life.

One thing is certain: if we continue to bleed for a country that does not stand up for us, we will eventually run out of blood. The time has come to stop wailing in the dark and start demanding the light we were promised at independence. 

If this resonated with you, explore these Nigerian dark fiction stories on the same themes:

• A Tale From The Ghetto – A raw story about poverty, greed, and the consequences of a desperate decision made on the streets of Nigeria.
• The Hunger of Karma – When the system fails you and hunger drives every decision, even karma has something to say about it.
• The Pastor's Deal – A story about a man who chose power and wealth over integrity — and paid the ultimate price.
• The Pathfinder – Two broke young men risk everything chasing wealth through a dark and dangerous path. A story every struggling Nigerian will understand.
• The Month That Nearly Broke Him – A street-level Nigerian story about surviving financial rock bottom when the system offers you nothing.