Photo credit: Bantupage
People usually refer to Nigeria as the giant of Africa!
As a Nigerian, I can’t help but wonder if that’s not a misnomer.
I agree that Nigeria was somewhat of a giant when it could feed itself, when the local currency—the naira—had a higher value than the American dollar, when flying on Nigeria Airways was a thing of joy, when graduates were employed minutes after they graduated, and when it helped in the liberation struggle in southern Africa.
Indeed, Nigeria’s presence in the South African liberation fight was the watershed in Nigerian foreign policy. Nigeria was home to many southern African freedom fighters. It went on to nationalize some banks and some oil companies because of apartheid. To cap it all, Nigeria spent a lot of money in fighting apartheid.
Nigeria has a good climate, many mineral resources, and, more importantly, manpower.
However, most people will be consternated to learn that Nigeria has been unable to feed its almost 233 million population.
It has not always been like this for the country. Nigeria was feeding itself before the discovery of oil in 1957 and before selling it. A total of 847,000 barrels of crude oil were exported in 1960. Since then, many oil wells have been opened, and petrodollars have been rolling in.
However, the oil boom is now an oil doom.
Therefore, I was gladdened to read that Tanzania, an East African country, has attained a food security of 128 per cent. What’s more, it sells the surplus to neighbouring African countries.
Rwanda and Ethiopia are two African nations that are doing very well in the aviation industry. Ethiopian Airways is helping other African countries set up their airlines.
The southern governors of Nigeria met in Abeokuta sometime in June and announced they would focus on agriculture. Maybe they are waiting for 2025. I wrote that because I’ve not heard any feedback in the press or that food is now available at affordable prices.
I once wrote that setting up an airline is good, and awakening a steel-making industry is also good. But I warned that what our people need now is where to get the next meal at an affordable price. Things will get better when the country returns to its basics by returning to the farms.
PS: Guyana is giving its citizens 370 pounds as part of the newly discovered oil boom. Nigeria can advise that country on planning for its future. However, I think if our leaders in Nigeria had been giving us windfalls, at least I would know that I’m chopping oyell money!
