THE PROBLEM WITH NIGERIANS

The other day, I got thinking about the reasons Nigeria has not experienced development; and why we keep taking three steps forward, and ten steps backward in our attempts to create a sane, civilised and developed country. In the course of my rumination, I got to remember a very peculiar experience I had 14 years ago when I was a corps member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), serving in Tunkus, Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. I was privileged to be the sub-zonal coordinator of the Nigerian Christian Corpers Fellowship (NCCF); and together with my team, decided to organise a Students' Forum; where we would bring all the schools together under one roof on a set day, to inspire and challenge them to be all they could be. We went from one school to the other to garner support for our initiative. At one of the biggest schools, we liaised with their head teacher, explained what we had in mind to him, and he bought into it, or so we thought. He said that he would take us to meet with his Principal, and would be our advocate. A date was set and we went to see the principal. However, to our rude shock, this fella did everything within his power to antagonise us; he wanted to sabotage the entire Program because we had not offered him any financial inducements.

A lot has been said about the challenges of Nigeria; but I dare say that in such discourses, we position Nigerians as the victims. Well, I beg to differ. To me, Nigerians are very much responsible for how things are at the moment. We used 'our own hands to do ourselves,' as that popular Yoruba language parlance puts it. So, what's the problem with Nigerians?

First, Nigerians do not have a Transformational Mindset. In my opinion, this is one of the major causes of our present predicament. Most of us have a transactional mindset instead of a transformational one. This is a foundational issue, dating back to centuries of our historical heritage. Just look around you, transactional mindset is being displayed everywhere. In the political space for instance, many people would prefer to trade what they have for what they want. A transformational mindset is very necessary for us to imbibe if we would see visible evidences of development. It enables us to cultivate long-term thinking and planning; instead of the short-term mental posture that we currently display.

Second, most Nigerians are self-serving. Hmmm... this is a very serious one. Agreed, this is part of human nature, but this has been taken to another level by us. The average Nigerian is only concerned about his/her welfare, regardless of what happens to others. This is my own observation: when a Nigerian is confronted with issues that are macro in nature, the first person he thinks of is himself, and if he is settled; he doesn't really care what happens to others. This is one of the major reasons corruption is thriving here. How in the world can you explain the phenomena of fake drugs entering the country with impunity? You go to any major government office to do something, the officials ask you for something and if you don't play ball, you're on your own. This is a very serious matter. An elected government official corners money meant for a project that would benefit large number of his constituents. Hmmm... This self-serving nature of ours is a major issue.

Third, Nigerians can condone nonsense and rubbish for a long time. This is evident in our accommodating nature. We tend to forget history easily, and let serious and sensitive offences slide. Otherwise, why would politicians who are supposed to be in jail; be contesting electoral offices with confidence; some even boasting that they would win. Until we address this attitude of ours, things would continue to be in retrogression.

In conclusion, the above submissions are my personal observations of the current issues we have. These are subtle stuffs that are not really talked about in the public space; that however doesn't necessarily make them less important in our quest for the visible fruits of socio-economic and political development.?

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Benjamin Aduroja

Global Financial Consultant