Nigeria: Half a Century of Progress and Challenges

Book Preview

Nigeria: Half a Century of Progress and Challenges

Edited By Constance Chiogor Ikokwu

(ISBN-978-978-912-901-0): True Expression Press; Nigeria; 2011, 206pp, Price $25.00

 True to its title, Nigeria: Half a Century of Progress and Challenges is an exhilarating excursion into the mixed and paradoxical realm of Nigerian nationhood that many still find very confounding.

In this well-intended and well-edited book, the editor, Constance Chiogor Ikokwu, selects as her medium, the insight, gab, emotions and consternation of fifteen eminent, yet eclectic Nigerians, whose views and criticism of their nation, she melds into a singular volume that offers an all-inclusive insight, deep revelations and justifiable condemnations about the ills that continue to dog the Nigeria nation. The volume does what Nigerians do best; criticism of the self and the leadership; but it also offers insightful solutions to the myriad of problems faced by this once promising country that some now define as a mere “geographical expression” and others, as an experiment that retains great potentialities.

In this thirteen-chapter volume, a vast array of issues is tackled in the context of nation-building, all in a bid to decipher why Nigeria has not self-actualized. Inexorably, the contributors grapple forthrightly and admirably with the successes achieved so far and the seemingly intractable problems and challenges. Frequently debated and topical Nigerian issues, such as Religious Tolerance, Tackling Tribalism /Ethnicity and Stemming Corruption, The Human capital Challenge, the Niger Delta and Development Problems, Rethinking Governance, Dealing with the Missing Link, are considered.

The parameters and tone for the discourse in this volume is ably set by the editor, Ms. Ikokwu, who invites Nigerians to join the fray and “sustain the conversation.” But perhaps one phrase that captures the essence of her motive, medium and the outcome, is that which states that “ideas are powerful.”   In reaching out to a select but diverse group of people who she calls the “Champions of Modern Nigeria” to contribute to this volume, Ikokwu wittingly lured some to render accounts of their stewardship, others to offer unvarnished views of what Nigerians already knew to have gone wrong with their country, and some, to set out visionary and demonstrable parameters for solving existing problems.

In all, the contributors independently provide differing or converging evaluations and analyses that point to national fault lines and pitfalls, which if left uncorrected, would prove most damaging to Nigeria.  The views of the contributors are largely in tandem with those of the editor, who in more ways than one, underlined Nigeria’s penchant for setting incongruous priorities, and embarking on projects that are hardly implemented.  This point is well encapsulated by Emir of Kazaure: “we know our problems and what is required to solve them … for once in a long time Nigerians are, in a highly intellectual rather than rhetorical manner, putting together a treatise on how to forge our country ahead.”

Each of the succeeding chapters in this volume shed some light on the core issues germane to good governance in Nigeria and most, pointed out to prevailing pitfalls and challenges.  Broadly, each author presents some original insight, mostly personal knowledge-based; while drawing on other sources and historical facts to buttress their views. Such an approach, while entirely not in strict compliance to accepted academic analysis format (several chapters are edited recounts of interviews) still succeeded in offering a diametric perspective on diverse and sometimes contentious issues.

The lead chapter by Dr. Chiedu Osakwe dissects Nation Building challenges, dredging up as it were, crucial questions about discontinuities in policymaking and their implementation. The overall picture is not good; “even well-designed policies tend to be ineffective as ‘stand-alone or in isolation’. The mix of companion policies must be right”(p.7). In the same vein, he notes that “reform must become a permanent feature of economic policy making” and “one generation of reforms must be succeeded by another”(p.21). In the end, he does not favour a home-grown model of nation building, as much as he defers to “a pragmatic western model”. He cites several exemplars Nigeria could mimic.

Whereas Rev. Fr. Mathew Hassan Kukah ducked the trap of discussing religious tolerance in Chapter 2 and instead opted to tackle the exploitation of religion for personal or sectional interests, hence his title, “The Janus Face of Religion”, he still provides a counter balance to Dr. Lateef Adegbite’s incisive arguments in Chapter 3 on religious tolerance. Both authors clearly speak to the misapplication of religion and the damage it has wrought on Nigeria. Kukah clarifies a point that is generally mistaken by most; the distinction between a secular and non-secular state and the implication of both for democratic rule. “What we need is the enforcement of the constitutional provisions concerning secularity (not Secularism) of the modern State.…Secularism seeks to defeat religion” (p.35), a point Adegbeti subscribes to, in noting that “secularism offends the belief of Muslims and is completely rejected by them” (p.44). Fathomably, both authors agree that Nigerians have allowed their religion to trump their patriotism and nationality, hence, Kukah’s very loaded question:  “Am I a Nigerian who happens to be a Christian/Muslim or a Christian/Muslim who is accidentally a Nigerian?”(p36). As both a counterpoint and validation, Dr. Adegbite notes that while the 1999 Nigerian constitution prohibits making a particular religion a state religion it does not exclude religion in state affairs. The kernel of their respective treatises is that the current mix of religion and politics in Nigeria remains a tinderbox.

Former EFCC boss, Malam Nuhu Ribadu writes on “Stemming Corruption” in Chapter 4, and while adopting a declaratory approach to attest to what was done during his tenure to stem corruption, never really answers the question as to why under him the EFCC fumbled on most high-profile cases. He bashes those critics, the “not-well-informed” detractors, who espouse the view that successes have not been recorded in the anti-corruption crusade and especially, those who engage in “elite conspiracy” and resort to “that discredited tactics of hacking down the messenger” (p56). He concludes by asserting that Nigeria has suffered a severe reverse in combating all forms of criminality: “sadly, today, evidence suggests a return to the pre-2003 era”(p.58). He is right; as an elite, he understands the how and why.

Whilst it might seem like stating the obvious, perhaps because it has been repeated so often, in Chapter 5, “Securing a Diversified Economic Future for Nigeria”, Nigeria’s former and present Finance Minister,  Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala asserts that the greatest challenge facing Nigeria is how to diversify its economy through emphasis on other non-oil sectors of the  economy and “solidify the foundation of good management, clean government and rock solid  financial sector and then build on this” (p.77).  The entire chapter, introspective and well-rendered from an insider’s perspective, points to the evident and perennial disconnect between mercurial oil income and desirable planning, as well as the downside to the dependency on oil, which Nigerian policymakers neither control the rise or fall of its prices. She notes that “sizable deficit meant fiscal policy was procyclical, actually amplifying price volatility (p.62).  Without speaking directly to the leadership’s fiscal indiscipline and lack of frugality, she hinted on Nigeria being a “heavily-indebted oil rich country” as indicative of that disposition.  Why not, when the national debt rose both exponentially and geometrically, from “less than a billion dollars in 1970 to $19 billion in 1985” and reached $33 billion by in 2003? As is commonly known, she notes that over $300 billion Nigeria earned between $1970 and 2001, yielded no visible commensurate dividend. Neither did revenue earned between 2001 and 2011.

In the succeeding chapters various contributors grappled with the progress and challenges by Nigeria in various facets: Mr. Ledum Mittee on “The Niger Delta and Development Issues” (Chapter 6); Mr. Jason Ikokwu , on “Tackling, Tribalism/Ethnicity” (Chapter 7); Dr. Martin Uhomoihbi on “Nigerian Foreign Policy: Current Features, Enduring Challenges and  Prospective Solutions”; (Chapter 8); Prof Anya O. Anya, on “Nigeria: The Human Capital Challenge” (Chapter 9); Malam Nasir El-Rufai on “Emerging Leaders in the Society” (Chapter 10); Donald Duke on “The Role of the Youth in Development” (Chapter 11);  Obiageli Ezekwesili,  on “Rethinking Governance in Nigeria” (Chapter 12);  and  Brigadier Buba Marwa, on “How to Achieve Effective Security” (Chapter 13).

One common thread in all the narratives was about lost opportunities and the need to salvage the nation before it is too late.  Another recurring corollary is the call to recognize the Nigerian youth as an asset and the custodians of Nigeria’s legacy, and thus provide them with gainful employment, stem the brain drain, enhance their role national development and stem youth crime by integrating the youth into a new security initiative and infrastructure. Corruption and its malignantly insidious impact were variously dealt with, but as Chief Emeka Anyaoku averred, corruption prevails, “because of the inability of politicians to lead with probity”(p.204). The sum total of the various assessments pointed to leadership shortfall and lack of an enabling environment, a sine qua non for sustainable development.

Of all the contributions, I found Mr. Ledum Mittee piece in Chapter 6, titled “The Niger Delta and Development Issues” and Prof. Anya O. Anya’s piece on “Nigeria: The Human Capital Challenge” the most engrossing and perhaps, the most balanced and the most unsentimental. They both looked at our progress and challenges dispassionately.

From Mittee’s perspective, Niger Delta epitomizes as it were, Nigeria’s multifarious problems and the oil curse, which he goes to prove with facts and cogent arguments.  He presents with clarity how Nigeria’s discovery of oil in the late 50s and its over dependent on that mono-commodity went on to complicate its development agenda, skewering its focus and emphasis on other vital economic sectors.  He touches on the scourge of kidnapping and its linkage to oil wealth and the “settling” of those involved in that enterprise.  Two other points by the author, both related to the problems in the Niger Delta are troubling as they are poignant.  Of kidnapping, he remarked, “Like armed robbery, kidnapping may have come to stay as evidence suggest that it is  gradually  being used as a frightening tool in the resolution of family, business and political disagreements”(p.89).  He also asserts that “whatever hopes we had of aspiring towards being the top 20 economies in the world is but a blurred vision. Perhaps this explains the tragedy of the ignominy which we have continued to treat concerns about the decays in our educational sector”(p.86). The linkages between poor education, kidnapping, unemployment and Nigeria’s laggardly development can be easily deduced.

For his part, Professor Anya notes that “Nigeria properly organized and motivated has all it takes to be one of the leading economies and technological forces of the modern world.” The emphasis here should be on being “properly organized”.  Clearly, the organizing principles that has been applied to Nigeria by the past leadership has not enjoyed consensus. Moreover, as can be gleaned from this volume, Nigeria’s critical sectors, education, health, security, power generation, development and employment and productivity, are still all poorly organized. Accordingly, despite the discernible halting progress, Nigeria is still challenged in all spheres.

Chief Emeka Anyaoku sums up very nicely the basic thrust of Nigeria: Half a Century of Progress and Challenges with his epilogue, “Dealing with the Mixing Link”.  His words in summary: “Nigeria has had its own fair share of mixed blessings… the failure of governance and leadership at home was behind the numerous disruptions that Nigeria’s democracy has experienced since independence… the concluding challenge is how and when what most of the international community regards as Africa’s sleeping giant will wake up.”  That question, one may observe, is well beyond the rhetorical (pp.203-205).

Nigeria: Half a Century of Progress and Challenges is a stimulating read. It adds vim to the on-going leadership debate and looks candidly at past glory and current crisis bedevilling Nigeria. The various articles resonate with nostalgia, melancholy, moods, passion, and yet, with unbridled hope for Nigeria. Those who seek to know Nigeria will gain a glimpse into her troubled soul via this collection. The editor and writers have done their bit to contribute to history and Nigeria’s progress and indeed, they have collectively grappled with a key challenge; how to engage in the dying art of honest dialogue and discourse of national issues without being partisan. Whatever the shortcomings of this volume may be, the editor, Constance Chiogor Ikokwu achieves her mission in a sure-footed way, by providing a fresh book with fresh ideas.

----------