Governance in Nigeria, 'exploitation and domination'

"Investing in a healthy, educated and resilient population is key to competing effectively in the global economy"- World Bank(Human Capital, InvestInPeople). Photo: Uche Okeke

The phenomenon of governance is linked to economic growth, welfare and prosperity. Governance in Nigeria is based on 19th century ideology of 'exploitation and domination', undemocratic, bullying and unaccountable to anyone. The country's capital and resources serve just the ruling elite  for  their for the 'purpose of luxury and adornment', excluding the majority. Could it get any worse, the answer is certainly YES, it's very difficult to achieve growth in a dysfunctional system. We must address the root of the problem, 'hijacking by despotism'; the licence to do as one pleases. The status-quo does not bring change. Persistence of poverty and stagnation in Nigeria  is due to bad governance- abuse of power. Income and wealth inequality, mass unemployment, poverty, herdsmen, insecurity and political instability are all as a result of bad governance. Climate change, population explosion is not the reason for poverty neither should it be the reason for the killings of innocent civilians by the herdsmen, so we must do something about it. Foreign aid is not the solution to poverty, if the oil revenue could not address poverty , aid will not be effective, so good governance is the solution. The system must be inclusive, pluralism is the solution. How can we achieve this inclusiveness? We must address the root of the problem. Nigeria is not a homogeneous or common interest society, the pull of identity is very strong, this erodes trust. The unitary-centralist political system that the country is operating which influenced population census for economic and political power-resource allocation and legislature representation;- 'expensive, wastesful and dictatorial' must be overhauled/restructured to make the country more productive and competitive. Today the government in power has eroded trust, government is partial, dividing the country along ethnic lines,"insufficient infrastructure, high government deficits, distorted foreign exchange markets, under-developed financial systems, political instability", etc, this drives the need for urgent overhaul of the political system by putting more economic and financial resources to states to enable them exploit their comparative advantage and competitiveness to achieve economic growth and lift their citizens out of poverty. The government in Nigeria has failed the seven indices that compare countries based on governance: EIU-Democratic Index, Heritage Economic Freedom Index, World Justice Rule of Law Index , Worldwide Government Index , Copetitiveness(Global Innovation Index , World Economic Competitiveness Index, World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index, and Transparency International Corruption Index . The Government spokesperson says they are not bothered by these international ratings, endorsing its policies and are convinced that their policies will win them the next presidential elections in February 2019. The government says its fighting corruption, but abuse of power is the worst corruption, toxic and dangerous, so we must do something about it.

The population of Nigeria will go on growing and these people live in the rural areas so the States need greater economic and financial resources to empower these people and connect them to the outside world. They need seaports, airports, electricity, internet, good roads, railways, housing, new skills, education and healthcare services, water, food, they need proper jobs not just handout. These are the places where things are beginning to happen. Find out more soon.

Uche Okeke is a Statistician, Social Entrepreneur, Political Economist;  the Founder of The LEAD Project Foundation and the Author of Nigeria's Democracy And Its Crisis Deliberate, Avoidable-'Bribe & Bullet'. What Can Be Done About It.