TROUBLE WITH AFRICA: Why Young Africans Are Protesting
By Dr. Daniel David OTOBO
[MB; BS, FSASS, MAAN, CGH, CSRHR, CTEAM]
“The trouble is simply and squarely a failure of leadership. There is nothing wrong with our Land or climate or water or air or anything else. The problem is the unwillingness or inability of our leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal example which are the hallmarks of true leadership.”
Chinua Achebe. Trouble with Nigeria, 1983.
As I leaf through the tattered pages of my father’s old but cherished book, I am struck by the passage of time and the persistence of certain issues. This original copy of Chinua Achebe’s “Trouble with Nigeria,” bought for N3.5 in 1983, still resonates today. The problems Achebe highlighted remain unresolved, prompting me to ask: Why have things worsened? Did our leaders not read this book? Where did we go wrong?
I am an African, a solitary black voice amidst many. My favorite meal is whatever is available, my greatest fear is facing the consequences of my leaders’ actions, and my hobby is simply being alive in every sense of the word. I dislike health insecurity, social insecurity, life insecurity, property insecurity, work insecurity, and financial insecurity. My reality, unfortunately, mirrors these dislikes
In Kenya, citizens protested against a finance bill proposed by Governor Ruto’s administration, which aimed to raise $2.7 billion through increased taxes. My brothers over there told me it wasn’t just about the bill but about the leaders’ extravagant lifestyles. After much struggle and sacrifice, the people won. The government listened, scrapping the bill and reducing the cost of governance. This victory showed that when people speak up, change can happen. They spoke so loudly that their government went further to make institutional changes and even had an X (twitter) space direct conversation with the people.
Similarly, the Nigerian ENDSARS protest in 2020 was a powerful demonstration of the people’s voice. Despite the pandemic, Nigerians stood firm, demanding the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Nonetheless, in both the Kenyan and ENDSARS protests, civilian lives were significantly lost. This death and destruction of properties forces the question, why do our leaders have to wait for us to go into the streets to demand -seemingly- basic and obvious things? Nevertheless, they seem to work. Increasingly, by the day, it seems young Africans are slowly concluding that protests hold the answer to their requests.
In my profession, the lack of basic healthcare equipment is a daily struggle. I have witnessed preventable deaths due to inadequate resources. This reflects the broader issue of governance and the need for systemic change.
So, what if health workers decide to utilize this newfound solution to request for better health facilities and equipment? Imagine a new Burns Unit in every tertiary facility, truly free maternal and child health emergency services, radiology technology beyond just X-rays, functional ambulance services, and availability of essential equipment and drugs. This could significantly improve the health of Nigerians and make practicing medicine in Nigeria more bearable.
Some may argue that health workers have protested in the past, and these protests have rarely focused on patient welfare. Often, strikes have been about political reasons or financial remuneration, such as when residency trainee doctors strike for their due payments or when other healthcare staff (JOHESU) push for equal treatment as doctors. This view would be shortsighted since healthcare workers have always advocated for improved working conditions so they can better serve their patients. But I acknowledge that it does seem like healthcare workers are more focused with their wellbeing. But who can blame them when their safety is at risk? A notable instance was the strike action by Lagos state medical doctors following the tragic and preventable death of Dr. Diaso Vwaere due to a faulty elevator. The doctors demanded the arrest of the person responsible for approving its repair and the elevator’s repair before returning to work. A year later, the strike has since been forgotten yet, no one has been arrested, and the elevator remains unrepaired till date.
Logically, one would ask: Why must we protest to be heard? Protests have become a route to power in Africa. Interestingly, leaders who once protested now sit in government, chastising the protesting youth and forgetting their promises.
The message here is clear: we need to stand together for more than just our pockets. We have the power and the voice to make real, lasting change as was the case when protesters secured salary reductions for parliamentarians and increased minimum wages. So yes, we need to stand together for “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.”
Protests seem to be the only way to get our leaders to listen, but is this sustainable? It is disheartening that these measures only come after public outcry. We need a more sustainable and logical approach to governance that does not rely on the sacrifices of the people. Until then, it seems protests will remain a necessary tool for the voiceless to be heard.
As Chinua Achebe would say, “Unity, they say, can only be as good as the purpose for which it is desired.”
Let us desire life.
Life in its fullness.
Thank you
Dr Daniel is a Global Surgery Fellow with Operation Smile Inc. Virginia Beach, VA; USA. He is a multiple award winning researcher and Physician. He is the recent receipient of the African Healthcare Leadership award by The Operating Room Global (TORG) at their 9th Anniversary and Inaugural Scientific Conference. He is a Nigerian trained medical doctor who obtained his MB;BS in 2022 from the College of Medicine, Bingham University, Nigeria. He is also a registered member of the Association of Future African Neurosurgeons (AFAN). As well as the Junior Doctors Network (JDN) of the World Medical Association (WMA), where he serves on the Global Surgery Working Group. He is passionate about Health Policy Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, and is an advocate for Safe surgery and improved surgical access and availability in Africa. He is a
