By Thomas Danjuma Abu
For years, we’ve been taught that colonialism is the main reason Nigeria is underdeveloped. Sure, colonialism left a mark, but continuing to blame it for all our problems doesn’t hold up anymore. It’s time to let go of this outdated excuse and look inward. The truth is, many of the issues we face today are of our own making.
Since 1999, when Nigeria embraced democracy, the expectation was that things would get better, but instead, we’ve watched the rise of problems that didn’t exist before. Think about it—there was no mention of Fulani herdsmen and bandits wreaking havoc across communities, no Boko Haram terrorizing the northeast, no Niger-Delta militants causing instability, and no unknown gunmen creating fear. Nigerians could travel freely without worrying about being kidnapped or falling victim to ritual killings.
Our democracy, which should have brought progress, has instead seen a steady decline in our economy. The Naira, once strong against the Dollar, has crumbled. Factories like Michelin and Dunlop that produced tires in Nigeria are long gone, and the textile factories that fueled Kano’s economy are a distant memory. We used to have four refineries operating at full capacity, but now we import most of our fuel, despite being one of the largest oil producers in the world. Our ports in Calabar, Onne, Warri, and Port Harcourt, which used to be busy, have become shadows of what they once were.
It’s not just the economy that’s suffered. Our social fabric has been torn apart. Before democracy, tribalism, sectionalism, and nepotism weren’t as blatant as they are today. There was a sense of safety—Nigerians could sleep with both eyes closed. Traveling wasn’t a nightmare filled with fear of kidnappers. And even during military rule, people weren’t fleeing the country in droves, like we’re seeing now. The mass exodus (or “japa”) we witness today speaks volumes about the loss of faith in the Nigerian system.
At some point, we have to stop pointing fingers at colonialism or external influences. Yes, they played a part, but we’ve had 24 years of democracy, and the deterioration we’ve experienced is largely self-inflicted. Our institutions have crumbled, our infrastructure is in disrepair, and insecurity is rampant. Democracy, as we’ve practiced it, has failed to deliver.
So, we have to ask ourselves: **Which Way Nigeria?** How long are we going to sit back and watch the country fall apart without doing something about it? The time for excuses is over. It’s time for real accountability, to recalibrate our priorities, and put in place leadership and policies that will actually move the country forward.
We can’t keep living in the past—we have to take responsibility for the future we want to build.
Abu can be reached via danjumaabu3750@gmail.com or +2348062380296
Peoplesmind
