Once upon a time, hope burned bright in Nigeria. The air was thick with promise when the Union Jack was lowered in 1960, and a new dawn was declared for Africa’s giant. The streets of Lagos, Kano, Enugu, and Port Harcourt echoed with jubilant chants, and the dreams of a prosperous nation seemed within reach. Parents told their children that education was the key to a bright future, that hard work and integrity would yield rewards, and that the government, now in the hands of fellow Nigerians, would serve the people.
However, six decades later, those dreams have turned to dust, trampled by the very hands that once raised them high. The political elite, sworn to uphold the nation’s progress, have instead shackled it in a cycle of greed, division, and deceit. The people, once hopeful, now navigate an endless struggle for survival, while the rich and powerful tighten their grip, ensuring that nothing ever truly changes.
It is not an accident. It is a carefully executed scheme—an elaborate con played on generations of Nigerians. The country is not poor; it has simply been plundered. The system is not broken; it was designed this way. With every election cycle, the same script unfolds: empty promises, rigged ballots, ethnic and religious propaganda, and, when all else fails, brute force. The masses, exhausted from poverty and disillusioned by betrayal, are too weary to fight back. They are fed just enough to keep them from revolting, but never enough to truly escape the chains. The elite thrive on division, ensuring that every tribe, religion, and class remains at war with itself, distracted from the real enemy—the ruling class that feasts while the nation starves. The result? A country brimming with potential yet held hostage by a few, a nation whose people dream of escape rather than prosperity at home.
In a nation endowed with abundant natural resources and a vibrant populace, Nigeria’s political elite have masterfully orchestrated a system that perpetuates their dominance while the masses languish in hardship. Since gaining independence in 1960, a series of calculated strategies have been employed to maintain this imbalance, ensuring that power and wealth remain concentrated in the hands of a select few.
One of the most insidious tactics is the deliberate perpetuation of poverty. Despite Nigeria’s vast oil wealth, with over 206 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves and an average daily crude oil production of 1.3 million barrels, the benefits seldom reach the average citizen. As of 2023, the World Bank reported that 38.9% of Nigerians live below the poverty line, amounting to approximately 87 million individuals—the world’s second-largest population of people living in poverty. This economic disenfranchisement is not merely a byproduct of mismanagement but a strategic tool. By keeping a significant portion of the population impoverished, the elite ensure a populace more concerned with daily survival than with challenging systemic inequalities.
Ethnic and religious divisions are also meticulously exploited to divert attention from governance failures. Nigeria’s rich tapestry of over 250 ethnic groups and multiple religions is manipulated to sow discord. Political leaders amplify these differences, turning elections into tribal contests rather than evaluations of competence. This strategy effectively fragments potential unified opposition, as citizens are pitted against each other along manufactured lines of division.
The erosion of democratic institutions further consolidates the elite’s grip on power. The judiciary, security agencies, and electoral bodies, which should serve as checks and balances, are often co-opted. Transparency International’s 2020 Corruption Perception Index scored Nigeria at 25 out of 100, ranking it 149th out of 180 countries. This pervasive corruption undermines public trust and stifles any meaningful dissent.
The co-optation of intellectuals and thought leaders is another facet of this multifaceted strategy. Universities and research institutions, starved of funding, become breeding grounds for patronage. Academics and technocrats are lured with government appointments and contracts, muting critical voices and transforming potential catalysts for change into instruments of the status quo.
The consequences of these orchestrated strategies are stark. Nigeria, despite its potential, remains mired in underdevelopment. Infrastructure is dilapidated, educational standards have plummeted, and healthcare services are grossly inadequate. The youth, disillusioned by systemic unemployment and lack of opportunities, often seek solace in perilous migration routes or fall prey to extremist ideologies.
Reversing this trajectory requires a collective awakening. Nigerians must transcend the artificial barriers erected by the elite and recognize the commonality of their struggles. Grassroots movements, bolstered by a free and independent press, can serve as catalysts for this change. By holding leaders accountable, demanding transparency, and fostering unity, the chains of deception can be broken, paving the way for a more equitable and prosperous Nigeria.
