The State of the Nigerian Nation, By Boniface Chizea

I do not know how many of us in the elite class are as deeply concerned about the state of our country, Nigeria, as I am. It increasingly appears that very little is working as it should. Impunity has become entrenched, while primitive acquisition of wealth is now being paraded without shame.

I recently watched a video of the almost other-worldly palace reportedly belonging to Uche Secondus. Not too long ago, I saw a similar display attributed to Senator Sekibo. We were also staggered by revelations surrounding the extent of real estate acquisitions allegedly made by the immediate past Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, now under scrutiny by the EFCC.

It increasingly looks as though politicians are competing to display obscene wealth. Yet no one appears worried about the optics. What legitimate businesses or investments could have yielded such enormous fortunes – palaces, no less – amid widespread poverty and deep misery among our long-suffering population?

It is long overdue that we gird our loins to wrestle corruption in this land to a standstill. This is not rocket science. What is required is determined leadership. We must also accept a hard truth: corruption at its current scale can never deliver meaningful or sustainable development.

We have just witnessed the national grid collapse twice within four days. Where else does such a thing happen? Yet we are boldly projecting a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2030. Where will the productivity come from to achieve such an ambition? Are we not simply daydreaming in the face of prevailing realities?

On tax reforms, Nigeria indeed has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP ratios globally, and the urgency of reform cannot be overstated. However, most Nigerians believed the solution lay in expanding the tax net—bringing more people, especially in the vast informal sector, into compliance.

What no one expected, given the prevailing hardship across the country, was the imposition of additional tax burdens on already struggling citizens. Many of us hoped instead for relief, particularly through the elimination of multiple taxation. What do we have instead? How is it possible in a democracy that the tax version in circulation differs from what was approved by the National Assembly? Are we running a private estate? How did such criminality rise to the level of statecraft?

I believe the implementation of these reforms should be paused until genuine stakeholder buy-in is achieved. Incidentally, my good friend Sonny Irabor has invited me to discuss issues arising from the tax reforms on News Central (DSTV 422) this Saturday at 8:00 pm. I invite you to tune in as we attempt to speak truth to power.

Did we also follow developments around recent ambassadorial postings? Sixty-eight nominees were cleared by the Senate committee. Under normal circumstances, postings should have followed immediately, especially since Nigeria has been diplomatically underrepresented for over two years. Instead, postings have been slow and selective.

One nominee reportedly posted to Turkey was later dropped because it was discovered he had not been screened. How does that even happen? Who is in charge? Why do these embarrassing reversals keep emanating from the Presidency? Have there been consequences for this spectacle? Worse still, questions have been raised about the integrity of one appointee who was nonetheless deployed as Nigeria’s representative. Does anyone care anymore?

Equally troubling is the creeping move toward a one-party state. The scale of defections is unprecedented and clearly aimed at making the 2027 elections predictable. Democracy cannot function without a viable opposition.

Why are there no stringent guidelines governing defections? Or perhaps such rules exist but are conveniently ignored because the gatekeepers are beneficiaries. Without opposition, accountability becomes redundant, impunity flourishes, corruption gains momentum, and national development suffers. This trend makes Nigeria a laughing stock among the comity of nations and must be halted.

Finally, consider the disturbing images from Turkey where the President appeared physically unsteady and had to be supported during a parade, having earlier stumbled at a reception. We were told it was due to a poorly laid carpet. Was he the only one who walked there? This was after all efforts were reportedly made to ensure his fitness for the trip. We must be honest with ourselves. The President should be advised to drop any re-election ambitions. Continuing on this path serves no one.

The verdict is clear: the ship of state is navigating dangerous and turbulent waters with a disabled compass. Under such conditions, development aspirations are unrealistic. There is an urgent need for course correction in our collective interest as citizens and stakeholders of this beleaguered nation.

How do we begin, and who will champion the process? That is the trillion-dollar question. But we must not give up on Nigeria. It is the only country most of us can truly call home.

Shalom.

Boniface Chizea, PhD

(Manchester Business School, 1981)