Nigeria is a country with a population of over 220 million people. The country is rich in so many resources, including oil, natural gas, coal, minerals, and agricultural products.
Some of the mineral resources include, but are not limited to, gold, bitumen, iron ore, limestone, lead/zinc, and bauxite.
The country also has renewable energy sources, like solar energy and hydroelectric power.
Perhaps the most interesting feature of Nigeria is its possession of manpower in virtually all fields of human endeavour.
The country’s per capita income is projected to be $835.49 in 2025.
However, with all these impressive factors, any right-thinking person would have expected Nigerians to be living an enviable life.
Nigeria has been bedevilled with a curious combination of selfish leaders and politically inactive citizens. It’s a Siamese-like combination of a drummer and a dancer.
Instead of developing socio-economic structures like farm estates, silos, rural-urban roads, tight security, sound education, the leaders are always embarking on a jamboree of vanity projects like building stadia, airports, bridges, express roads, purchasing aircraft, luxury cars, etc. Another factor is the claim of the government to have removed the oil subsidy, while independent sources refute it.
The result is that while the ruling class is living a lavish, opulent lifestyle, the common man is dirt poor. They can’t afford basic healthcare, education, food, or security. It’s a pity that rather than criticizing the government, most of the people would rather “wait for their time” to plunder the nation of its resources. They would rather wallow in abject poverty than ask for what is theirs by right.
The result is that those who can afford it would rather embark on the japa syndrome, that is, flee the country. But then, travelling out of desperation may not yield good fruit. Some embark on the hazardous trip of crossing the dangerous Mediterranean Sea, where only a few lucky ones survive the trip, and some go to unknown places,
Meanwhile, the workforce in Nigeria is being depleted!
I would describe Nigeria as a giant in chains!
How can a country be rich while its people are poor?
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.