Nigerian dancer and singer Korra Obidi, who now resides in the United States, said on the recent One 54 podcast that ordinary Nigerians have taken on many functions traditionally performed by the state because of what she described as chronic governmental failure.
Obidi highlighted Nigeria’s demographic and economic potential, noting that the country’s 200 million‑plus population is predominantly young and that sectors such as technology are expanding rapidly. She pointed to Lagos’s coastal development as an example of private initiative: despite earlier forecasts of flooding, reclaimed land is being built upon and the city continues to grow at a “astronomical” rate.
According to Obidi, the lack of reliable public services forces citizens to provide for themselves. She said many Nigerians “make their own water, dig wells and purify water for themselves and their families,” and that household electricity is often supplied by solar panels or generators rather than the national grid. In her words, “you’re your own government,” implying that individuals and communities have effectively created their own mini‑ministries to manage basic needs.
Obidi’s comments reflect a broader discourse on governance in Nigeria, where concerns about corruption, inadequate infrastructure and inefficiency have been raised by policymakers, civil‑society groups and international observers. The World Bank’s 2023 Governance Indicators placed Nigeria in the lower quartile for government effectiveness and regulatory quality, while the country’s power sector continues to deliver intermittent supply to a large share of the population.
The dancer’s remarks also underscore the resilience of informal networks that sustain daily life. Community‑based water projects, solar micro‑grids and small‑scale entrepreneurship have proliferated in many urban and rural areas, filling gaps left by public institutions. These initiatives have been credited with improving living standards for some, but they also mask systemic shortcomings that limit broader economic development.
While Obidi expressed optimism about Nigeria’s natural endowments—no major natural disasters and abundant human capital—she warned that “the government is hindering a lot.” Her statement that “most people no longer care about the government” suggests growing public disengagement, a sentiment echoed in recent surveys indicating low trust in national leadership.
The observations made by Obidi on the One 54 podcast add a high‑profile voice to ongoing debates about governance reform in Nigeria. As the country prepares for its next general elections, policymakers and stakeholders may need to address the gaps highlighted by citizens who have already assumed responsibilities typically reserved for the state.
