By Sonny Iroche
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with over 200 million people, stands at a critical crossroads. Often described as the “Giant of Africa,” its vast potential is overshadowed by a confluence of systemic challenges that threaten its socioeconomic stability and erode the quality of life for its citizens. From multidimensional poverty to internal displacement, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, poor healthcare, and unreliable power supply, Nigerians face daily struggles that foster despondency and diminish hope. Compounding these issues, a recent directive from the Nigeria Police Force requiring permits for vehicles with tinted glass, ostensibly to curb insecurity and kidnappings, risks adding further stress to an already burdened populace. This policy, while aimed at addressing security concerns, is likely to be abused by some police officers seeking bribes, further eroding public trust, and frustration for vehicle owners.
In the context of rampant inflation, high costs of living, and increased electricity tariffs, Nigeria must prioritize policies that enhance citizens’ well-being rather than exacerbate their hardships. This article analyzes these challenges and proposes alternative strategies to address insecurity while fostering a sense of hope and stability.
Multidimensional Poverty: A Persistent Scourge
Multidimensional poverty, which encompasses deprivations in health, education, and living standards, affects a staggering 63% of Nigerian, approximately 133million people, according to the 2022 Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). This figure represents a 16% increase from 2019, underscoring a worsening trend. Rural areas, particularly in the North-East and North-West, bear the brunt, with 90% of children in these regions classified as poor. Key indicators of deprivation include child mortality (10.2%), lack of access to clean water (18.2%), inadequate sanitation (26.4%), and limited access to electricity (24.9%). These deprivations are compounded by high food prices and inflation, which have made staples like rice, beans, and tomatoes unaffordable for many households.
The economic fallout from global disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues, has slowed poverty reduction efforts. The World Bank projects that by 2030, 7% of the global population will remain in extreme poverty, with Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, accounting for the majority. In Nigeria, inflation rates have soared, with food inflation reaching alarming levels, further weakening purchasing power and deepening poverty. This pervasive poverty fuels despondency, as millions struggle to meet basic needs, eroding the middle class and stifling economic mobility for both the poor and the wealthy.
Internally Displaced Persons: A Humanitarian Crisis
Nigeria’s internal displacement crisis is one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges in Africa. Over 2 million people have been displaced, primarily due to insurgency, banditry, and communal clashes, particularly in the North-East. The Boko Haram insurgency, Fulani herdsmen attacks, and recent flooding in states like Borno have forced families from their homes, leaving them vulnerable in overcrowded IDP camps. A 2023 survey across seven states revealed that IDPs face inadequate shelter, food, water, and healthcare, with 36% reporting food insecurity and many being unemployed minors. Women and children, who constitute the majority of IDPs, are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence (GBV).
The socioeconomic impact of displacement is profound. IDPs often lack access to education, with 8% facing poor living conditions and 14% struggling with high utility costs. The flooding in Borno, which displaced 414,000 people in 2024, has exacerbated food insecurity by disrupting agricultural supply chains. The government’s response, while including some humanitarian aid, has been insufficient, with only 7% of IDPs securing stable employment. This crisis not only strains Nigeria’s resources but also deepens poverty and fosters a sense of abandonment among affected populations.
Corruption: A Systemic Barrier to Progress
Corruption remains a pervasive obstacle to Nigeria’s development. It permeates governance, public institutions, and service delivery, diverting resources meant for infrastructure, healthcare, and poverty alleviation. The Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index consistently ranks Nigeria poorly, reflecting systemic issues that undermine public trust. Funds allocated for IDP relief, healthcare, and infrastructure often disappear into private pockets, leaving citizens to bear the consequences. For example, the low government spending on health; 4.1% of GDP in 2022, compared to 17.2% in Sub-Saharan Africa, reflects misplaced priorities and mismanagement. Corruption also fuels insecurity, as funds meant for equipping security forces are siphoned off, leaving them under-resourced to combat threats like Boko Haram and other banditry.
Inadequate Infrastructure and Epileptic Power Supply
Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit is a significant barrier to economic growth and quality of life. Roads, schools, and public facilities are often in disrepair, particularly in rural areas. The power sector, despite privatization efforts, remains unreliable, with Nigerians enduring frequent blackouts, a problem colloquially termed “epileptic power supply.” In 2024, electricity tariff hikes further eroded disposable income, disproportionately affecting the middle class and small businesses. This unreliable power supply stifles industrial growth, discourages investment, and forces reliance on costly generators, contributing to the high cost of living and pollution.
Poor Healthcare Facilities: A Public Health Crisis
Nigeria’s healthcare system is woefully inadequate, with low investment (4.1% of GDP) and reliance on out-of-pocket payments excluding many from accessing quality care. Rural areas, where poverty is most acute, lack functional health facilities, trained personnel, and essential drugs. The high child mortality rate (10.2% in the MPI) reflects this crisis, as preventable diseases claim lives due to inadequate medical infrastructure. The brain drain of healthcare professionals, driven by poor working conditions and low pay, exacerbates the problem. For IDPs, access to healthcare is even more limited, increasing vulnerability to diseases and malnutrition.
The Tinted Glass Permit Directive: Adding Stress to Citizens
In a move that has sparked widespread concern, the Nigeria Police Force recently mandated that drivers of vehicles with tinted glass obtain permits from the Inspector General of Police, citing the need to curb kidnappings and insecurity. While insecurity, driven by banditry, Boko Haram, and kidnappings, remains a critical issue, this directive risks further alienating a populace already grappling with economic and social challenges. Many vehicles with tinted glass are imported with factory-installed tints, a standard feature in modern cars, particularly SUVs. Requiring permits for such vehicles places an unnecessary burden on law-abiding citizens, many of whom are already battling inflation, high living costs, and electricity tariffs.
The directive is particularly problematic given Nigeria’s history of police corruption. Reports of officers extorting motorists at checkpoints, particularly in the South Eastern states of the country are commonplace, and this policy provides a new avenue for bribe-seeking and extortion. For example, a motorist in Lagos might be stopped and coerced into paying a bribe to avoid delays or penalties, regardless of compliance with the permit requirement. While there could be several police checkpoints within one kilometer of road in the South East. This not only undermines public trust in the police but also adds financial and psychological stress to citizens. The policy fails to address the root causes of insecurity, such as underfunded security forces, weak intelligence networks, and socioeconomic drivers like poverty and unemployment, which fuel crime.
Inflation, High Cost of Living, and Electricity Tariffs
Nigeria’s inflation rate, particularly food inflation, has skyrocketed, with staple food prices rising significantly. The National Bureau of Statistics reports that inflation has weakened purchasing power, pushing more households into poverty. Electricity tariffs, which have increased in 2024, further strain budgets, particularly for the middle class, which is shrinking under economic pressure. Small businesses, critical to Nigeria’s economy, struggle to operate amidst high energy costs and unreliable power, leading to job losses and reduced economic activity. These economic challenges foster despondency, as citizens feel trapped in a cycle of hardship with little government intervention to alleviate their suffering.
Improving the Citizens’ Feel-Good Index
The cumulative impact of these challenges, poverty, displacement, corruption, infrastructure deficits, poor healthcare, and now the tinted glass permit directive, has eroded Nigerians’ sense of well-being. The “feel-good index,” a measure of public optimism and quality of life, is at an all-time low. Policies like the tinted glass permit, which risk harassment and extortion, only deepen this despondency. Instead, Nigeria must adopt measures that uplift citizens and address insecurity without adding burdens to the already traumatized citizenry.
Alternative Strategies for Addressing Insecurity
Rather than policies that risk abuse, Nigeria can adopt more effective, citizen-friendly approaches to tackle insecurity:
1. Strengthen Community Policing: Invest in community-based policing that builds trust between citizens and law enforcement. Training officers in intelligence gathering and conflict resolution, rather than punitive measures like tinted glass permits, would enhance security without harassing citizens. For example, community policing in countries like Kenya has reduced crime by fostering collaboration between residents and police.
2. Leverage Technology: Deploy technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) drones, facial recognition, Machine Learning, CCTV cameras, GPS tracking, and data analytics to monitor high-risk areas and track criminal activity. South Africa’s use of surveillance systems in urban centers has proven effective in deterring crime without burdening citizens.
3. Address Root Causes: Tackle the socioeconomic drivers of insecurity, such as poverty and unemployment, through vocational training and job creation programs. The University of Ghana study on IDPs recommends economic inclusion programs, which could reduce crime by providing livelihoods for vulnerable populations.
4. Enhance Security Funding: Increase funding for security forces to improve equipment, training, and intelligence capabilities. Corruption in security budgets must be addressed to ensure funds reach their intended purpose. Rwanda’s disciplined security apparatus serves as a model for effective resource allocation.
5. Promote Transparency: Establish oversight mechanisms to curb police corruption. Citizen reporting platforms, like those used in Ghana, allow anonymous complaints about extortion, holding officers accountable.
Recommendations for Broader Challenges
To address Nigeria’s broader challenges and improve the feel-good index, the government should:
• Invest in Infrastructure and Power: Prioritize reliable electricity and infrastructure development to boost economic activity and reduce living costs. Public-private partnerships, as seen in Ghana’s power sector, could improve efficiency.
• Enhance Healthcare and Education: Increase funding for health and education to reduce multidimensional poverty. Mobile clinics for IDPs and rural areas, as implemented in Uganda, could improve healthcare access.
• Support IDPs: Provide sustainable solutions for IDPs, including safe return programs and economic empowerment. The Kampala Convention offers a framework for protecting IDPs, which Nigeria should fully implement.
• Combat Corruption: Strengthen anti-corruption agencies and ensure transparency in public spending. Digital payment systems for government contracts, as used in Estonia, could reduce embezzlement.
• Ease Economic Burdens: Subsidize essential goods and review electricity tariffs to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis. Targeted cash transfers, like Brazil’s Bolsa Família program, could support vulnerable households.
Conclusion
Nigeria’s challenges:, multidimensional poverty, internal displacement, corruption, inadequate infrastructure, poor healthcare, and unreliable power, have created a climate of despondency. The recent police directive on tinted glass permits, while aimed at addressing insecurity, risks exacerbating public frustration and enabling corruption. Instead of adding burdens, Nigeria must prioritize policies that uplift citizens, such as community policing, AI and technological solutions, and socioeconomic empowerment. By addressing the root causes of its challenges and fostering transparency and trust, Nigeria can improve its citizens’ feel-good index and unlock its immense potential as Africa’s leading country.
