In the theater of Nigerian politics, the elite have mastered the art of scripting a play where the masses are not just spectators but willing participants in their exploitation. While the ruling class strategically consolidates power and amasses wealth, the masses are left squabbling over the crumbs of tribalism, religion, and blind loyalty. This isn’t just a tragedy—it’s a carefully orchestrated manipulation, one that has perpetuated the cycle of poverty and underdevelopment in Africa’s largest democracy.
The statistics paint a grim picture. According to the World Bank, over 40% of Nigerians—approximately 83 million people—live below the poverty line. Despite being the largest oil producer in Africa, Nigeria’s per capita income has declined by over 30% in the last decade. Meanwhile, the political elite, who control the nation’s resources, continue to enjoy unparalleled luxury. The 2024 budget allocated over ₦70 billion for the renovation of the National Assembly, yet millions of Nigerians lack access to basic healthcare, education, and potable water.
This stark disparity is most evident in the lifestyles of the political class. While they send their children to elite universities abroad, often using stolen public funds, the average Nigerian parent struggles to keep their children in underfunded public schools. In 2023, a report revealed that over 80% of Nigerian public schools lack functional toilets, a glaring symbol of systemic neglect. Yet, the children of the elite drive Lamborghinis in London and vacation in Dubai.
To maintain this status quo, the elite weaponize tribalism and religion, diverting attention from their misdeeds. They stoke ethnic and religious tensions, ensuring the masses remain divided. Every election season, they deploy rhetoric of “North vs. South” or “Christian vs. Muslim” to rally support. The masses, blinded by these manufactured divisions, fail to see the real enemy: systemic corruption and a predatory ruling class.
History provides no shortage of examples. In the 2023 elections, the narrative was once again hijacked by tribal and religious undertones, overshadowing critical issues such as unemployment, inflation, and insecurity. The inflation rate, now at a staggering 34.6%, has pushed millions into extreme poverty. Yet, the political discourse was dominated by ethnic loyalty rather than economic reform.
The irony is glaring: while the masses fight among themselves, their leaders form alliances across ethnic and religious lines to protect their interests. The governors’ forum, the national assembly caucuses, and elite social clubs are melting pots where ethnicity and religion are irrelevant—only wealth and power matter. This collaboration among the elite ensures that policies and decisions favor their continued dominance, leaving the masses to wallow in poverty.
It’s time for a reckoning. The real battle is not between the Igbo and Hausa, or the Christian and Muslim—it’s between the 1% who hoard Nigeria’s wealth and the 99% left to scramble for survival. The masses must rise above these distractions and demand accountability. Tribalism won’t fix the broken healthcare system. Religious bigotry won’t repair dilapidated schools. Blind loyalty won’t create jobs or stabilize the economy.
Nigeria’s future depends on a united front against corruption and inequality. It requires citizens who are informed, engaged, and unyielding in their demand for good governance. The days of being pawns in the elite’s game must end. To reclaim their future, Nigerians must shift their focus from ethnic divides to the systemic issues that have kept them impoverished.
The power lies with the people, but only if they choose to wield it. Nigeria stands at a crossroads, and the choice is clear: continue to be distracted by tribalism, or rise to dismantle the structures of exploitation. The time for change is now.
