Nigeria, often referred to as the ‘Giant of Africa,’ is currently grappling with an array of complex challenges that have led to significant hardship for its citizens. While the country boasts of abundant resources, including oil, natural gas, and a vast young population, it is plagued by a multitude of issues that have hindered its growth and development.
December is again around the corner; I want to look at the current hardship facing Nigeria and suggest potential solutions to address these pressing issues.
One of the most immediate and impactful hardships facing Nigeria is its economic instability. The country’s over-reliance on oil revenue, coupled with fluctuations in global oil prices, has left its economy vulnerable. Corruption, mismanagement and a lack of diversification have exacerbated the situation.
We cannot keep buying cars for politicians and feed fat on a top-heavy system where a few drain the resources for very many. We cannot keep lying to ourselves through some marabout economic modules. For example, I do not understand how we closed our borders to grow rice, only for anchor borrowers’ money for the same rice to disappear.
Nigeria faces significant challenges in the healthcare and education sectors. Access to quality healthcare and education remains a privilege rather than a right, causing a significant hardship for the majority of Nigerians.
You do not want to be sick in Nigeria, the brain drain is at a rate that there are states where the doctor-to-patient ratio is one to 4,000 or even more. You don’t have some specialties. Some communities do not have local primary healthcare. Our budget for health is at best laughable, government comes and government goes and it is still the same story.
If one cannot eat healthy, one is sick and the consequences are grave.
Increasing public investment in healthcare and education is essential. Providing universal healthcare and improving the quality of schools will help address these hardships. Collaboration with international organisations and civil society groups can support these efforts.
To overcome economic hardship, Nigeria should focus on diversifying its economy by investing in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing and technology. Implementing comprehensive economic reforms and effective anti-corruption measures is essential to encourage foreign investment and boost economic growth.
The hardships in Nigeria are indeed daunting, but the country is not without hope. By addressing these challenges head-on and implementing practical and well-thought-out solutions, Nigeria can rise above its current struggles. International cooperation, strong leadership and active citizen engagement are vital components in achieving a more prosperous and stable future for Nigeria. The journey may be long and arduous, but the destination is one of great promise and potential.
Charles Dickson, [email protected]
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