By Richard Odusanya
In the past, Nigeria as a nation and people, we use to have men of wisdom, visionary leaders who’s primary assignment is the fear of God and service to the nation and dedication to people’s welfare. One of them was the late political sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo (Awo).
The ascendancy of the Yoruba people today in the areas of education, commerce, arts and the attendant socio-cultural advancement, emanated from Awolowo’s visionary leadership in the old Western Region.
Through progressive social engineering and strategic policies, his government changed the profile of the region for ever, by making election promises and fulfilling them within a few years, Awo had led his region to evolve a culture that demands and evaluates socio-economic programmes from those he seeked to govern.
He warned that corruption would remain endemic unless governance was seen as service, not self-enrichment. Several of Awolowo’s predictions have been fulfilled – including the rise of youth unrest, the collapse of democracy, and the failure of Nigeria’s search for a new social order.
Even when dismissed as a “prophet of doom” when he predicted, in his 1981 letter to President Shehu Shagari, that: “Our ship of state is fast approaching a huge rock… unless steered away, it will hit with an unspeakable disaster,” history vindicated him when Nigeria plunged into austerity just seven months later, confirming his status as an economic leader.
Awo, in that published letter to the president said “My dear Shehu, … the ship of our nation is sailing fast across a huge rock, and unless you as a leader courageously and swiftly take action to stop and redirect it to a safe shore, the result will be catastrophic.
Similarly, in a recent speech in April 2026, Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama (JDM) expressed deep, candid concerns regarding the stability of Nigeria, stating that Nigeria’s economic and security challenges pose a direct risk to Ghana’s own stability.
JDM, noted that he prayed daily for Nigeria to succeed so that its large population does not drift toward smaller nations like Ghana, which could overwhelm Ghana’s infrastructure and resources. Mahama at the African Heritage Awards 2026 in Accra, reflected on the immense weight Nigeria’s economic and security challenges place on neighboring ECOWAS members.
Following from the above, not less than 70 percent of Nigerian adults and youths are embarrassed to identify with Nigeria due to the current economic hardship facing the country. This is exemplified by what Nigerians have witnessed in the last few weeks of many unfolding events, most current of which is the xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
South Africa: Nigerians have faced systematic harassment, profiling, and physical attacks. Reports include Nigerian businesses being forcefully shut down, individuals being “hunted” in their communities, and tragic incidents of citizens being beaten or burnt alive.
Interestingly, Nigerians are globally renowned for their vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and rich cultural diversity –sadly, recent reports highlight an escalating crisis of humiliation and violence against Nigerians, in many countries, particularly in South Africa, where renewed xenophobic tensions have reached critical levels as of May 2026.
While this article focuses on the forces that prevent nations from developing politically, socially, and economically or why some of them have failed –let me conclude this revelation by highlighting the root causes and possible reasons for our nation’s downward trend:
Analysts believe that persistent issues with governance, including corruption and inefficient utilization of public funds, undermine public trust and the effectiveness of development policies.
One of the most disturbing aspect of Nigeria’s experience today is in making statements deemed insulting or insensitive to the plight and situations that is confronting our citizens.
It is important to note that the issue presently under discussion goes far beyond bruised sensibilities or partisan reactions. It touches fundamentally on the disconnect between many public officials and the economic realities confronting ordinary Nigerians. Too often, some of those within the corridors of power speak from positions insulated from the daily struggles of the average citizen.
One is compelled to ask: do these officials purchase goods from a different market inaccessible to ordinary people? Are their vehicles powered from some endless stream untouched by the rising cost of fuel? Do their salaries and privileges not place them far above the harsh realities faced daily by millions of Nigerians?
That is where a broader economic analysis becomes necessary. Beyond isolated statements, one must examine government policies against the actual cost of living and the conditions required for the sustenance of an average Nigerian household.
Even though the proponent has since denied making the assertion that ₦10,000 is sufficient for a small family, the underlying reality remains unchanged. In present-day Nigeria, ₦10,000 can hardly sustain a bachelor for any reasonable period of time.
Public officials must therefore exercise restraint and deeper sensitivity when making pronouncements on matters that directly affect the living conditions of citizens.
Statements disconnected from social realities only deepen public distrust and widen the gulf between government and the governed just like the in days of the reckless statement attributed to Umaru Dikko, a minister in Nigeria’s Second Republic (1979–1983), who said that Nigerians could not be said to be suffering or starving because they had “not started eating from the dustbin”.
Authored by Richard Odusanya,
And Can Be Reached Via [email protected] And @richardODUSANYA.
