By Sonny Iroche
Introduction
Since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1960, Nigeria has struggled to translate its vast human and natural resources into sustainable socio-economic development. Despite its enormous potential, the country has been plagued by persistent challenges including pervasive corruption, ineffective leadership, weak institutions, and socio-political instability. The discovery of crude oil in Oloibiri in 1956, which promised prosperity, has instead contributed to what is widely described as the “Resource Curse.” This phenomenon has seen billions of dollars in oil revenue squandered or misappropriated, leaving Nigeria lagging behind countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which were at similar developmental stages in the late 1950s and early 1960s. In Africa, countries such as South Africa, Rwanda, Ghana, Mauritius, and Seychelles have made significant strides in good governance and development, outpacing Nigeria in key indicators like infrastructure, human development, and economic stability.
This report examines Nigeria’s governance challenges, contrasts its trajectory with that of selected African and global countries that have successfully enthroned good governance, and explores the role of Nigerian youths in driving transformative change. It also analyzes the systemic issues hindering Nigeria’s progress, including leadership failures, electoral malpractices, and the failure to implement critical reforms like the Steve Oronsaye Report. The report concludes with recommendations for Nigeria to reset its developmental trajectory through credible elections, accountable leadership, and youth-led activism.
Nigeria’s Governance and Development Challenges
Historical Context:
At independence in 1960, Nigeria adopted the Westminster parliamentary system, which showed early promise under the leadership of figures like Sir Tafawa Balewa, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr Michael Okpara, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Dennis Osadebe and Chief Ladoke Akintola.
The country inherited functional infrastructure, a vibrant civil service, and a relatively stable economy driven by agriculture (cocoa, groundnuts, and palm oil), in the four healthy competing regions of the federation. However, the military coups of 1966, followed by the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), and subsequent military interventions disrupted this trajectory, ushering in decades of instability.
The oil boom of the 1970s brought unprecedented wealth, but rather than catalyzing development, the oil boom went into consumption and importation of sundry luxury goods which fueled corruption, misplaced priorities, mismanagement, and a dependency on oil revenues. Nigeria’s adoption of the U.S.-style presidential system in 1979, coupled with the creation of 36 states and a bloated federal structure, increased governance costs and inefficiency.
Today, the Tinubu administration (2023–present) oversees a cabinet of about fifty ministers, some with overlapping roles between ministries and agencies, despite the long standing recommendations of the Steve Oronsaye Report (2012) to merge or scrap some redundant entities.
The Resource Curse:
The discovery of oil in 1956 transformed Nigeria into one of the world’s major oil producers, yet the wealth did not translate into broad-based development. According to the World Bank, Nigeria’s GDP per capita in 2023 was $1,596, compared to $11,379 for Malaysia and $33,121 for South Korea, both of which were at similar developmental levels in the 1960s. The Resource Curse manifests in several ways:
• Corruption: Billions of dollars in oil revenue have been siphoned off by political and military elites. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024 ranked Nigeria 140 out of 180 countries, with a score of 26/100.
• Economic Mismanagement: Over-reliance on oil has led to the neglect of agriculture and manufacturing, leaving the economy vulnerable to global oil price fluctuations.
• Inequality: Despite oil wealth, 38% of Nigerians (approximately 83 million people) lived below the poverty line in 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Leadership Failures:
Chinua Achebe’s assertion in his book, The Trouble with Nigeria (1983) that “the trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership” remains relevant. Successive administrations have lacked the vision, discipline, and commitment to prioritize development. Key issues include:
• Electoral Malpractices: Nigeria’s elections are often marred by violence, voter intimidation, and rigging. The 2023 general elections, for instance, were criticized by some international observers for logistical failures and allegations of manipulation.
• Judicial Compromise: The judiciary, meant to uphold electoral integrity, has been accused of compromising justice, thereby undermining public trust.
• Policy Inconsistency: Frequent policy reversals and failure to implement reforms, such as the Oronsaye Report, have hindered progress.
Current Challenges
Nigeria faces multifaceted challenges that stifle development:
• Insecurity: Militant attacks in the Niger Delta, Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast, and widespread kidnappings deter investment and disrupt economic activities.
• Infrastructure Deficits: Erratic electricity supply, with an average of 4,000 MW for a population of over 200 million, contrasts sharply with South Africa’s 50,000 MW for 60 million people.
• Unfriendly Business Environment: Nigeria ranks 131 out of 190 countries in the World Bank’s 2023 Doing Business Index, reflecting bureaucratic bottlenecks and corruption. It must be mentioned that the current Tinubu government took some bold and positive decisions to remove the corruption-laden fuel subsidy, which had corruptly enriched some oil marketers and deprived the country of savings for other sectors of the economy. The administration also harmonized the hitherto multiple foreign exchange rates at the Central Bank of Nigeria. Although this came with the usual pain of structural adjustment as a result of the devaluation of the local currency, however, if properly managed and the savings there from channeled to alleviate the sufferings of the populace to would be understandable. Based on a people-centric initiatives that the administration should embark upon, the long run effects would be positive for the country.
• Debt Burden: Nigeria’s external and domestic debt stock as at Q1 2024 stood at $91.46 billion, with debt servicing consuming a significant portion of revenue.
Countries with Good Governance and High Development
To understand Nigeria’s shortcomings, it is instructive to examine countries that have successfully enthroned good governance and achieved significant development. Following are examples from Africa (South Africa, Rwanda, Ghana, Mauritius, Seychelles) and globally (Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, UAE, Vietnam), highlighting their governance models, policies, and outcomes.
African Countries
1. Rwanda
• Governance Model: Rwanda, under President Paul Kagame since 1994, has adopted a technocratic, centralized governance model emphasizing accountability, anti-corruption, and performance-based leadership.
• Key Policies:
• Vision 2020 and Vision 2050: Long-term development plans focusing on economic diversification, technology, and human capital development.
• Anti-Corruption Measures: Rwanda ranks 49 on the 2023 CPI with a score of 53/100, the highest in Africa. The Rwanda Governance Board enforces strict anti-corruption laws.
• Digital Transformation: Rwanda has invested heavily in ICT, with initiatives like the Kigali Innovation City and widespread broadband access.
• Outcomes:
• GDP per capita grew from $206 in 2000 to $1,071 in 2024.
• Rwanda ranks 38 in the 2023 Doing Business Index, reflecting a business-friendly environment.
• Universal healthcare coverage and a 98% primary school enrollment rate.
• Example: The transformation of Kigali into a clean, modern city with efficient public services contrasts with Nigeria’s urban decay in cities like Lagos.
2. Ghana
• Governance Model: Ghana has maintained a stable democracy since 1992, with peaceful transitions of power and a vibrant civil society.
• Key Policies:
• Economic Diversification: Investments in agriculture (cocoa, gold) and services have reduced reliance on single commodities.
• Electoral Integrity: The Electoral Commission of Ghana is widely respected, ensuring credible elections.
• Education Reform: Free senior secondary education introduced in 2017 has boosted literacy rates to 80%.
• Outcomes:
• GDP per capita of $2,363 in 2023, higher than Nigeria’s.
• Ghana ranks 70 on the 2023 CPI, with a score of 43/100.
• Stable electricity supply and growing tech hubs like Accra’s Silicon Valley.
• Example: Ghana’s handling of the 2016 and 2020 elections, with minimal violence and transparent results, contrasts with Nigeria’s contentious electoral processes.
3. Mauritius
• Governance Model: Mauritius operates a parliamentary democracy with strong institutions, rule of law, and a meritocratic civil service.
• Key Policies:
• Economic Diversification: Transition from sugar-based economy to financial services, tourism, and ICT.
• Ease of Doing Business: Mauritius ranks 13 in the 2023 Doing Business Index, the highest in Africa.
• Social Welfare: Free healthcare and education have reduced poverty to 10.6%.
• Outcomes:
• GDP per capita of $10,256 in 2023, among the highest in Africa.
• High Human Development Index (HDI) score of 0.802.
• Stable political environment with no history of military coups.
• Example: Mauritius’ Port Louis is a global financial hub, attracting foreign investment, unlike Nigeria’s struggling ports.
4. Seychelles
• Governance Model: Seychelles combines democratic governance with a focus on sustainability and tourism-driven growth.
• Key Policies:
• Environmental Sustainability: Policies to protect marine ecosystems and promote eco-tourism.
• Human Capital: High investment in education and healthcare, with a literacy rate of 96%.
• Anti-Corruption: Seychelles ranks 20 on the 2023 CPI, with a score of 70/100.
• Outcomes:
• GDP per capita of $17,879 in 2023, the highest in Africa.
• HDI score of 0.802, reflecting high living standards.
• Stable and secure environment, ideal for tourism.
• Example: Seychelles’ focus on sustainable tourism has created a resilient economy, unlike Nigeria’s oil-dependent model.
5. South Africa
• Governance Model: South Africa’s post-apartheid democracy is anchored by a robust constitution, independent judiciary, and active civil society.
• Key Policies:
• Industrialization: Investments in mining, manufacturing, and renewable energy.
• Social Programs: Extensive welfare programs, including child grants and housing subsidies.
• Anti-Corruption: The Public Protector and anti-corruption agencies, though challenged, provide oversight.
• Outcomes:
• GDP per capita of $6,766 in 2023.
• Advanced infrastructure, including Africa’s largest port (Durban) and reliable electricity grid.
• HDI score of 0.713, higher than Nigeria’s 0.548.
• Example: South Africa’s renewable energy program, which added 6,000 MW of clean energy by 2023, contrasts with Nigeria’s persistent power shortages.
Global Countries
1. Singapore
• Governance Model: Singapore’s meritocratic, technocratic governance under the People’s Action Party (PAP) emphasizes efficiency, anti-corruption, and long-term planning.
• Key Policies:
• Anti-Corruption: The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) enforces zero-tolerance policies. Singapore ranks 5 on the 2023 CPI (score: 83/100).
• Economic Diversification: From a trading post in the 1960s to a global financial and tech hub.
• Education and Innovation: Heavy investment in STEM education and R&D, with 2.6% of GDP spent on research.
• Outcomes:
• GDP per capita of $91,794 in 2023, among the world’s highest.
• HDI score of 0.949, reflecting exceptional living standards.
• World-class infrastructure, including Changi Airport and efficient public transport.
• Example: Singapore’s transformation from a resource-scarce nation to a global economic powerhouse contrasts with Nigeria’s mismanagement of oil wealth.
2. Malaysia
• Governance Model: Malaysia’s parliamentary democracy, though imperfect, has prioritized economic development and social cohesion.
• Key Policies:
• New Economic Policy (NEP): Promoted industrialization and poverty reduction in the 1970s–1990s.
• Vision 2020: Aimed to make Malaysia a developed nation by 2020, achieved in part through technology and manufacturing.
• Anti-Corruption: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has prosecuted high-profile cases.
• Outcomes:
• GDP per capita of $13,382 in 2023.
• HDI score of 0.810, reflecting strong human development.
• Advanced manufacturing sector, producing electronics and automobiles.
• Example: Malaysia’s Penang tech hub, a global leader in semiconductor production, highlights the success of targeted industrial policies, unlike Nigeria’s neglected manufacturing sector.
3. South Korea
• Governance Model: South Korea’s transition from military rule to democracy in the 1980s was accompanied by strong state-led development policies.
• Key Policies:
• Chaebol System: Government support for conglomerates like Samsung and Hyundai drove industrialization.
• Education Reform: Universal education and focus on STEM produced a highly skilled workforce.
• Anti-Corruption: South Korea ranks 32 on the 2023 CPI (score: 63/100), with ongoing reforms.
• Outcomes:
• GDP per capita of $35,146 in 2023.
• HDI score of 0.925, among the world’s highest.
• Global leader in technology, with brands like Samsung and LG.
• Example: South Korea’s rapid industrialization, from one of the world’s poorest nations in the 1950s to a tech giant, underscores the power of visionary leadership, unlike Nigeria’s policy inertia.
4. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Governance Model: The UAE’s monarchical system combines traditional leadership with modern governance, prioritizing economic diversification and innovation.
• Key Policies:
• Vision 2021 and 2071: Long-term plans to diversify from oil to tourism, finance, and technology.
• Zero-Tolerance for Corruption: The UAE ranks 26 on the 2023 CPI (score: 67/100).
• Infrastructure Investment: World-class projects like Dubai International Airport and Burj Khalifa.
• Outcomes:
• GDP per capita of $53,916 in 2023.
• HDI score of 0.937, reflecting high living standards.
• Global hub for trade, tourism, and finance.
• Example: The UAE’s transformation of Dubai into a global city contrasts with Nigeria’s underutilized economic potential in cities like Lagos.
5. Vietnam
• Governance Model: Vietnam’s single-party communist system emphasizes economic liberalization and anti-corruption.
• Key Policies:
• Doi Moi Reforms (1986): Shifted from a centrally planned economy to a market-oriented one.
• Foreign Investment: Attracted multinationals like Samsung and Intel through tax incentives and infrastructure.
• Education: High literacy rate (95%) and focus on vocational training.
• Outcomes:
• GDP per capita of $4,623 in 2023, double Nigeria’s.
• HDI score of 0.726, higher than Nigeria’s.
• Global leader in electronics and textile exports.
• Example: Vietnam’s rise as a manufacturing hub, producing 20% of Samsung’s global output, highlights the success of pragmatic reforms, unlike Nigeria’s stagnant industrial sector.
Comparative Analysis: Why Nigeria Lags Behind
1. Leadership and Vision:
• Countries like Rwanda, Singapore, and South Korea have benefited from visionary leaders (Kagame, Lee Kuan Yew, Park Chung-hee) who prioritized long-term development over personal gain. In contrast, Nigeria’s leaders have often pursued short-term, self-serving agendas.
• Example: Rwanda’s Vision 2020 was meticulously implemented, while Nigeria’s Vision 2020 (launched in 2009) was abandoned due to policy inconsistency.
2. Anti-Corruption Measures:
• Singapore, Mauritius, and the UAE enforce strict anti-corruption laws, with independent agencies like Singapore’s CPIB and Mauritius’ ICAC. Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is often politicized, undermining its effectiveness.
• Example: Singapore’s prosecution of ministers for corruption contrasts with Nigeria’s frequent pardons of corrupt officials.
3. Electoral Integrity:
• Ghana and Mauritius have credible electoral systems, ensuring peaceful power transitions. Nigeria’s elections are marred by violence and manipulation, discouraging competent candidates.
• Example: Ghana’s 2024 election saw the opposition win without violence, while Nigeria’s 2023 election faced widespread allegations of rigging.
4. Economic Diversification:
• Malaysia, Vietnam, and the UAE have diversified their economies, reducing reliance on single commodities. Nigeria remains heavily dependent on oil, which accounts for 90% of export earnings.
• Example: Malaysia’s shift to electronics contrasts with Nigeria’s neglect of agriculture, once a mainstay of its economy.
5. Infrastructure Investment:
• South Africa, Singapore, and the UAE have invested heavily in infrastructure, boosting economic growth. Nigeria’s infrastructure, particularly power and transport, remains inadequate.
• Example: South Africa’s Gautrain rapid rail system contrasts with Nigeria’s dilapidated rail network.
6. Youth Engagement:
• Rwanda and Ghana have empowered youths through education and tech initiatives. Nigeria’s youths, despite comprising 70% of the population, are marginalized by unemployment (33% in 2023) and lack of political voice.
• Example: Rwanda’s YouthConnekt program engages young people in governance, while Nigeria’s youths are often excluded from decision-making.
The Role of Nigerian Youths in Driving Change
With over 70% of Nigeria’s population under 35, the youth demographic represents a powerful force for change. However, their potential has been stifled by systemic barriers, including unemployment, poor education, and political exclusion. To reset Nigeria’s trajectory, youths must take the following steps:
1. Voter Education and Participation:
• Youths must educate themselves on the electoral process and actively participate in elections. The #EndSARS protests of 2020 demonstrated their organizational capacity, which can be channeled into voter mobilization.
• Example: Ghana’s youth-led voter education campaigns in 2024 contributed to high turnout and credible elections.
2. Demanding Electoral Reforms:
• Youths should advocate for electoral reforms, including electronic voting and independent oversight of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
• Example: Rwanda’s use of technology in elections ensures transparency, a model Nigeria could adopt.
3. Holding Leaders Accountable:
• Through social media and civic organizations, youths can monitor government performance and expose corruption. Platforms like BudgIT and Tracka provide tools for tracking public spending.
• Example: South Africa’s #FeesMustFall movement forced government concessions on education funding.
4. Running for Office:
• Young Nigerians must contest elections at all levels, challenging the dominance of older, entrenched politicians. The Not Too Young to Run Act (2018) lowered age limits for political office, creating opportunities.
• Example: In Mauritius, young leaders like Joanna Bérenger have risen to prominence in parliament.
5. Embracing Technology:
• Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, with startups like Flutterwave and Paystack, shows the potential of youth-led innovation. Youths must leverage technology for advocacy, entrepreneurship, and governance.
• Example: Rwanda’s tech hubs have empowered youths to drive economic growth.
Recommendations for Nigeria
1. Implement the Oronsaye Report:
• Merge or scrap redundant agencies to reduce governance costs and improve efficiency. This would free up resources for critical sectors like education and healthcare.
2. Strengthen Anti-Corruption Institutions:
• Grant full autonomy to the EFCC and ICPC, and ensure prosecution of high-profile cases without political interference.
3. Electoral Reforms:
• Introduce electronic voting and real-time result transmission to enhance transparency. Strengthen INEC’s independence to prevent manipulation.
4. Economic Diversification:
• Revive agriculture through subsidies and mechanization, and invest in manufacturing and tech to create jobs and reduce oil dependency.
5. Infrastructure Development:
• Partner with private investors to improve power, transport, and digital infrastructure. Adopt South Africa’s public-private partnership model for energy projects.
6. Youth Empowerment:
• Expand access to quality education and vocational training. Create platforms for youth participation in governance, similar to Rwanda’s YouthConnekt.
7. Judicial Independence:
• Insulate the judiciary from political influence through transparent appointment processes and adequate funding.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s failure to achieve its developmental potential since independence is a story of missed opportunities, rooted in leadership failures, corruption, and systemic inefficiencies. In contrast, countries like Rwanda, Ghana, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, the UAE, and Vietnam have demonstrated that good governance—characterized by visionary leadership, anti-corruption measures, and inclusive policies—can transform nations within decades. Nigeria’s youths, with their demographic advantage, hold the key to resetting the country’s trajectory. By demanding credible elections, holding leaders accountable, and actively participating in governance, they can ensure that Nigeria fulfills its promise as the true “Giant of Africa.” The time for change is now—Enough is Enough.
