What can Nigeria do to better its citizens? – Ishaka Shitu AlMustapha
By Ishaka Shitu AlMustapha
Nigeria’s elites must practice what they preach if democracy is to be sustained.
Loss of trust among Nigerians is huge challenge for nation building.
Unless Nigeria returns to public accountability in personal, professional and governance, development is extremely difficult in modern times.
By October 2025, Nigeria will celebrate its 65th anniversary. Nigeria’s population is estimated to be around 220 million according to the United Nations in 2024.
One major challenge that Nigeria has faced for more than 5 decades is the failure of political leadership, whether in the military or the democratic era. Most Nigerians looked at the failure of leadership from ethnic or religious perspectives, however, only a few see it from social class and society perspectives.
As a son of a late retired civil servant in one of the northern states, and raised by both maternal grandparents of blessed memory. I had dreamt of a better country in the early 1990s while in primary school due to the privilege of private education in a Christian denomination school in Gombe. Faith-based education appeared uncommon in the early 1990s, unlike now, where there are increasing numbers of faith-based education schools in both northern and southern Nigeria. My faith has been a strength and has monitored the way I see the world, which is ingrained in piety and love for humanity.
The rationale for making a critical case of religious education is because of the role of religion in Nigeria is inextricably linked to the total way of life of many Nigerians. It is believed this should shape our morals and behaviour for nation-building and public service. If religion is thoroughly practised with 100 per cent sincerity, Nigeria should have reached and surpassed its peers since independence.
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Unfortunately, lots of nation problem revolved around lack of quality jobs for its teeming youths, no adequate water, no access to good and quality healthcare for its teeming population and billions of dollars spent on improving country security services though this appears to be siphoned by elites historically especially from arms contract deals in recent years.
Nigeria has had increasing stability in terms of democracy since its return in 1999. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo returned to power through the ballot after he handed over power to Late President Shehu Shagari in 1979 and subsequently had elections that saw a transfer of power to other civilian presidents until now.
It is 26th years of democracy journey success, it had huge challenges such as complete failure of political leadership from all the leaders from top to bottom, lack of trust between leaders and the led, electoral challenges such as political party instability, money politics and who you know syndrome, etc. There is an increasing debt profile, inadequate rule of law and elusive democratic dividends.
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Additionally, law and order appear scarce in Nigeria from elites to younger generations, this is seen from traffic mess in big and small cities, avoidance of queues in supermarkets, barber shops, restaurants, queues in banks and public places. In 2024, it is a huge national embarrassment when the current President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered sub-national governments to distribute 20 trucks of rice to each state of the Federation, but it appears this was not well coordinated and distributed to reach the grassroots. No one questions accountability in public service from top to bottom.
Another important observation is the oppression displayed by rich or opportunistic Nigerians to their fellow citizens. Living an extravagant lifestyle is increasingly a big issue, especially among the younger generations, particularly the quick rich syndrome and use of social media, which appears to be another space of human interactions. Financial indiscipline among leaders and followers is a stumbling block in maintaining a strict and disciplined lifestyle. I believe reverting to complete Islamic and Christian culture will solve a lot of Nigerians’ social insecurity challenges.
The independence era leaders had good morals and behaviour that enabled them to govern effectively and efficiently. These leaders died without much material wealth. A critical example is a case of Late Maitama Sule, former Minister of Mines and responsible for minerals including oil, he worked in Lagos as a Minister, when the government was overthrown in 1966 according to British author, Richard Bourne, he had to borrow money from his permanent secretary to returned to Kano, such are the characteristics of Nigerian independence era leaders in the 60’s and 70’s. The scenario will be extremely difficult in our time because of love for material wealth and oppression among Nigerians of the post-independence era.
Nigeria must devise a sustainable measure to curb the bad influence of social media that appears to be eroding moral values, which are completely alien to its values and beliefs. It is imperative to say that social media is not a reality. Despite its positive influence in terms of marketing, business and politics and the emerging global village concept, there should be a clear boundary.
Youth can make the country a better place if they channel their energy, knowledge and love for the country in unity, focus and demand for good governance for their leaders. In a related development, youth protests in Kenya have forced legislative changes recently and as well as prevented elections postponement in Senegal. Nigeria needs better politics that serve its people across the country not a privilege few which is a normal phrase of former President Muhammadu Buhari before he assumed office in 2015 during his presidential campaign.
Dr Ishaka Shitu is a founder of Oil Logistics Advisory, Transport and oil logistics expert, University Lecturer at Canterbury University in London and as well as an associate to a London-based Port and Logistics Consultant. Dr. Shitu is the author of Port Performance and the crude oil export logistics system in Nigeria.
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