NIGERIA AND CRISIS OF ECONOMIC HARDSHIP

Certainly, when a people begin to do things in such a way as to defy their rules or behaviours, it is only proper for a scientific research to be conducted so as to find out the reason(s) behind such behavioural change. In fact, for leaders, it is essential to continuously study the behavior of the people in order to decode their actions and inactions in response to government decisions for the sake of the government’s sustainability and continued law and order in the polity. If however, this is not done accordingly, there is every tendency that in time, a government may not know that it has lost the confidence of the people.

An example of such situation is that of the present Nigeria, which its people, who in their usual antecedents are most unlikely to protest against hardship and pain, went to the streets to express dissatisfaction on how things are happening in the country. Just as the haranguing of the taciturn is altogether a surprise and definitely attention seeking, Nigerians, in unison, going out to the streets to express anger is astonishing and thus a clear message to the government that all is not well in the country. And true to it, most Nigerians are going through untold hardship, increasingly perceiving the miasma of hopelessness with each passing day.

The people cannot be well and happy in an economy that has its currency becoming valueless at the end of every business day. This implies that at every sunrise, the Naira in the hands of Nigerians can buy less than what it could the previous day. And with government’s refusal to subsidize fuel and electricity, the economy, which is already unproductive, has nosedived the more, leaving entrepreneurs at the receiving end. The nation’s economy now has no middle class. Poverty is at every corner of Nigeria with illiteracy buttressing it.

This economic downturn has had a ripple effect on the social fabric of the nation. Crime rates have skyrocketed as young people, desperate for survival, resort to illegal activities. The once vibrant and bustling cities are now ghost towns as businesses close down and unemployment soars. The health sector, already in a deplorable state, is now on the brink of collapse. Hospitals lack basic amenities, and patients are forced to purchase essential drugs and supplies. The educational sector is not spared either. Public schools are dilapidated, and teachers are poorly remunerated, leading to a decline in the quality of education.

The political landscape is equally fraught with challenges. The ruling class is more concerned with self-enrichment than the welfare of the people. Corruption is endemic, and public funds are siphoned into private pockets. The electoral process is marred by irregularities, and the voices of the people are often ignored. The lack of accountability and transparency has eroded the trust between the government and the governed.

The security situation in the country is also a major concern. Banditry and kidnapping have become commonplace in most parts of the country. The people live in fear and uncertainty, as their lives and property are not safe.

It is evident that Nigeria is at a crossroads. The government must take urgent steps to address the myriad of problems facing the nation. This includes revamping the economy, improving the standard of living, providing adequate security, and promoting good governance. The government must also listen to the voice of the people and implement policies that are in their best interest.

The time for empty promises and rhetoric is over. The people are demanding action. The government must deliver on its promises or risk losing the trust and confidence of the people. The future of Nigeria depends on the choices made today.