Former United States President Barack Obama once stated, “Africa needs strong institutions, not strong men.” This sentiment is echoed in the book ‘Why Nations Fail’ by Daron Acemoglu and others, which argues that the success of developed countries is rooted in their strong institutions. Consequently, African nations are encouraged to focus on building robust institutions, despite having inherited Western-style institutions at the time of independence. However, one must question whether these institutions can truly thrive without aligning with the values of the people who manage them. Nigeria, for instance, has established numerous institutions, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission. Yet, the overall situation remains largely unchanged. The dominance of strong men over institutions in Africa has not led to the necessary transformation. To foster strong institutions, there must first be a principled elite capable of resisting those who seek to undermine them. Ultimately, institutions are only as strong as the individuals who operate them.
This notion is often repeated in Nigeria without critical examination, becoming accepted as fact and passed down through generations. Just as mispronunciations and grammatical errors have become entrenched in our English language, these unchallenged assertions have morphed into national policy. One such assertion is that “Nigeria should return to agriculture,” based on the misguided belief that the agricultural successes of the past, such as the Cocoa House and Groundnut Pyramids, can be replicated today. However, no nation has achieved transformation solely through agriculture. While agriculture serves vital purposes, such as ensuring food security and providing raw materials for other industries, it is not the primary driver of poverty reduction. Manufacturing and industrial sectors have historically been more effective in alleviating poverty in various countries. The global trend indicates a move towards higher agricultural output with fewer workers, as seen in the United States and many Asian nations. The recent emphasis on rice pyramids in Nigeria exemplifies this outdated mindset.
Another common assertion is that Nigeria’s challenges stem from its low revenue-to-GDP ratio. While it is true that Nigeria has one of the lowest ratios globally, with government revenue around six percent of GDP, this situation could also be viewed as an opportunity for growth rather than merely a problem. Instead of attempting to increase revenue through expanded taxation, the government should focus on fostering economic growth. Encouraging both the informal and organized private sectors to fill the gaps left by government inefficiency has been a longstanding practice. Only when the culture of wastefulness within the Nigerian government is addressed can we consider raising the revenue-to-GDP ratio.
When Nigerians seek to blame external factors for their struggles, they often point to the West, citing historical injustices such as transatlantic slavery and colonization. Books like Walter Rodney’s “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa” are referenced, yet the Nigerian experience suggests that our underdevelopment is more closely tied to our own choices than to external influences. Despite the vast wealth generated from oil, Nigeria has often squandered opportunities for genuine development, opting instead for misguided policies that favor a bloated public sector over a thriving private sector. The decisions made in the past have not been imposed by the West; rather, they reflect our own missteps.
Additionally, the belief that the 1999 Constitution is the root of Nigeria’s problems, with calls for restructuring or regionalism, fails to address the deeper issues at play. Transformation does not begin with a political framework; it starts with innovative ideas and new perspectives. These fresh ideas can lead to the development of new political ideologies, which in turn shape constitutions. As noted by Professor Ben Nwabueze, the 1979 Constitution, from which the 1999 Constitution was derived, was designed with the intention of fostering unity through a strong central government, rather than to prevent regional dominance. Just as with institutions, the effectiveness of a constitution depends on the integrity of those who implement it. Ultimately, our internal values and customs may hold greater significance than any written document, as they are what enable a constitution to truly effect transformative change.
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