By OGE OKAFOR
with great hope and enthusiasm, the leading lights of Nigeria’s quest for self-rule as opposed to governance under British colonial rule, pursued and secured independence for the country on October 1, 1960.
Nigeria is not the only African country that gained independence in the year 1960. In fact, 16 other African countries got independence the same year. Numbered among these countries are the following: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic (C.A.R), Chad, Congo, Congo DR, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Somalia and Togo.
However, more than half a century after the rush to independence, nearly all of these African countries remain amongst the world’s poorest countries, and suffer from high rates of illiteracy and disease, insecurity and youth unemployment.
Nigeria is the most populous black nation in the world, but it has not lived up to expectations. Since gaining independence, it has survived one civil war, military dictatorships and other challenges. It is also plagued by corruption, insecurity, youth unemployment and of recent economic recession.
With a total land area of approximately 923,768 sq. km. British influence and control over what would become Nigeria and Africa’s most populous country grew through the 19th century. A series of constitutions after World War II granted Nigeria greater autonomy, culminating in independence in 1960. Following nearly 16 years of military rule, after the national civilian government headed by former president Shehu Shagari was toppled in a coup and the then Major General Muhammadu Buhari became the head of state, new constitution was adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government was completed with the emergence of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and ex-military head of state as the president.
The various Nigerian governments, both civilian and military have continued to face the daunting task of reforming a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and institutionalizing democracy. In addition, Nigeria continues to experience longstanding ethnic and religious tensions. Although both the 2003 and 2007 presidential elections were marred by significant irregularities and violence, Nigeria is currently experiencing its longest period of civilian rule since independence.
Granted that 57 years of independence might not seem like a long time, when juxtaposed with older nations like the United States, Canada and France, which have enjoyed democratic governance for over 250 years, however, Nigeria should have grown socio-economically and attained better ranking on the indices of development and made excellent progress.
Given the enormous wealth of human and natural resources that the Creator has endowed the country with the questions to ask, are these: should there be any Nigerian in lack of the basic needs of life? Should Nigeria not be among the frontline nations of the world in all material respects? Is national progress and development determined solely by age?
When you compare Nigeria with some other countries that gained independence same year, the country seems better off from its contemporaries but not so with other countries regarded as the Asian Tigers.
Nigeria, Malaysia, Singapore, China and Dubai had a roughly similar history and circumstances. All of them were once considered Third World countries and were once termed emerging markets. Today, all the others have joined the First World; only Nigeria remains a Third World nation. One thing that separates Malaysia, Singapore, China and Dubai from Nigeria is leadership – consistent visionary leadership.
When Singapore gained independence in 1965, apparently without hope or a future to look up to, their greatest ambition was to grow to be like Nigeria and the Philippines in the future. Today, it is Nigeria and the Philippines that want to be like Singapore.
In terms of the economy, Singapore has a highly developed market economy, based historically on extended entrepôt trade. Along with Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan, Singapore is one of the original Four Asian Tigers, but has surpassed its peers in terms of GDP per capita. Between 1965 and 1995, growth rates averaged around 6 per cent per annum, transforming the living standards of the population. The Singaporean economy is known as one of the freest, most innovative, most competitive, most dynamic and most business-friendly. The 2015 Index of Economic Freedom ranks Singapore as the second freest economy in the world and the Ease of Doing Business Index has also ranked Singapore as the easiest place to do business for the past decade. According to the Corruption Perceptions Index, Singapore is consistently perceived as one of the least corrupt countries in the world, along with New Zealand and the Scandinavian countries. Singapore attracts a large amount of foreign investment as a result of its location, skilled workforce, low tax rates, advanced infrastructure and zero-tolerance of corruption. Singapore has the world’s 11th largest foreign reserves and one of the highest net international investment position per capita.
Malaysia is a relatively open state-oriented and newly industrialized market economy. The state plays a significant but declining role in guiding economic activity through macroeconomic plans. Malaysia has had one of the best economic records in Asia, with GDP growing at an average 6.5 per cent annually from 1957 to 2005. Malaysia’s economy in 2014–2015 was one of the most competitive in Asia, ranking 6th in Asia and 20th in the world, higher than countries like Australia, France and South Korea. In an effort to diversify the economy and make it less dependent on export goods, the government has pushed to increase tourism to Malaysia. As a result, tourism has become Malaysia’s third largest source of foreign exchange, although it is threatened by the negative effects of the growing industrial economy, with large amounts of air and water pollution along with deforestation affecting tourism.
Nigeria is classified as a mixed economy emerging market, and has already reached lower middle income status according to the World Bank, with its abundant supply of natural resources, well-developed financial, legal, communications, transport sectors and stock exchange (the Nigerian Stock Exchange), which is the second largest in Africa. Previously, economic development had been hindered by years of military rule, corruption, and mismanagement. The restoration of democracy and subsequent economic reforms have successfully put Nigeria back on track towards achieving its full economic potential.
With glee, the then Goodluck Jonathan administration published the fact the country had overtaken South Africa, after the rebasing of its economy. Yet, the country has not been able to generate and sustain up to 6000 megawatts of electricity despite over four decades of flaring gas that should have been harnessed to produce electricity to power an aggressive industrialization programme just like China did under the leadership of Den Xiaoping and the other leaders that succeeded him. Through technological advancement China moved from the economic backwaters of the 50s, 60s, 70s and early 80s to emerge as both a modern military, nuclear, economic power that is now able to challenge both the United States and Russia in all spheres, including space exploration and utilization for communication and warfare. Today, South Africa generates over 50,000 megawatts of electricity that provides 24/7 power supply to its industries. Even recently, the Big Brother Naija reality TV show beamed to Nigeria was recorded in South Africa because Nigeria could not provide electricity for the 24/7 programme. What a shame!
The government has said that it will work to achieve the first of the Sustainable Development Goals, which is to end poverty in all its forms by 2030. What evidence is on ground in this direction, given that government officials have not taken concrete actions in this direction? What is rather seen is an energetic effort to engage in the blame game by political actors, both at the federal and state level.
Singapore traditionally has one of the lowest unemployment rates among developed countries. The unemployment rate did not exceed four per cent from 2005 to 2014, hitting highs of three-point-one per cent in 2005 and three percent during the 2009 global financial crisis; it fell to one-point per cent in the first quarter of 2015.
The government provides numerous assistance programmes to the homeless and needy through the Ministry of Social and Family Development, so acute poverty is rare.
To move Nigeria forward, the way government works must change. There is yet hope, because Nigeria is not doomed.