Nigeria stands at a dangerous crossroads — torn between greatness and decay. Corruption has eaten deep into every corner of national life. From the marble floors of the National Assembly to the dusty courtrooms and the dark corridors of military offices, greed has become the new anthem. Those who were chosen to serve now rule like kings. Judges who should defend justice now auction it to the highest bidder. Soldiers who swore to protect the people now protect their pockets. And the masses? They are left behind — bruised, bitter, and broken.
Africa cannot find peace until she defeats poverty. Poverty is not merely the absence of money — it is the slow death of hope. It fuels crime, hatred, and violence. In Nigeria today, millions of young people wander the streets, certificates in hand but with no future in sight. From the miners of Zamfara to the market women in Aba, from the okada riders of Ibadan to the displaced families in Benue, the cry is the same — “We are suffering.”
Across Africa, the story remains the same. Nations rich in oil, gold, and fertile land are filled with poor people. How can a continent that feeds the world fail to feed its own children? The answer is simple — bad leadership and visionless youths. Leaders who steal from the poor to live like emperors; leaders who would rather beg the West for aid than build industries for their own people.
If Africa must rise, her leaders must start putting Africa first. Enough of serving foreign masters while our people die of hunger. Enough of signing away our future for loans that never reach the poor. We have the population, the brains, and the land. What we lack is the will — the courage to shape our destiny with our own hands.
But the Western world is comfortable with Africa’s failure. They prefer African leaders who will keep their countries in perpetual poverty. Have we forgotten how Goodluck Jonathan was removed because he refused to bow to Barack Obama’s gay policy in Nigeria? Do we remember how America banned other countries from selling arms and ammunition to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram — until the current U.S. president lifted those sanctions?
Are we aware of the recent confrontations involving some American-backed agents hiding under the guise of activism to make the Tinubu administration unpopular? If you have been following recent events, you will realise that the same script played by the American government during the 2015 presidential election is being rehearsed again ahead of 2027.
What, then, is the logic behind the recent outburst of the American Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills Jr., on the state of governance? How did he suddenly become the mouthpiece of the opposition — a role no foreign envoy would dare to play in his own country? Every time Nigeria tries to rediscover her footing, her former colonial masters find a way to pull her back.
Opposition figures once banned from visiting America on corruption grounds have suddenly become best friends with Ambassador Mills. It’s all a matter of interest — not the well-being of ordinary Nigerians. When this government said no to America’s attempt to deport thousands of criminals to Nigeria, we instantly became an enemy. And to be honest, where exactly is Nigeria supposed to keep over twenty thousand deportees — most of whom are not even Africans, let alone Nigerians?
But no matter the evil plan by the American government towards Nigeria, the good people of Nigeria and their government will never repay evil with evil. We will continue to clamp down on Yahoo boys and stop our borders from being used to transport illicit drugs to the rest of the world. It is our obligation to be our brother’s keeper. Nigeria will continue to invest heavily in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) through the taxes of ordinary Nigerians — to make America safe for Americans.
Look at China. Only a few decades ago, they were where we are today — poor, desperate, and struggling. But in just thirty years, China lifted over 700 million people out of poverty. They didn’t achieve it by complaining or going to Saudi Arabia or Jerusalem on religious jamborees. They did it by focusing on their people — investing heavily in science and technology, training, empowering, and believing in them. They turned farmers into factory owners, students into innovators, and ordinary citizens into global competitors.
They have laws with zero tolerance for corruption, distraction, and religious extremism. Nigerians want their country to be like China, but they don’t want to face the consequences for looting their country’s resources.
We have oil, gas, minerals, fertile soil, and the brightest young minds in Africa. Yet, we keep importing what we can produce. We export raw materials and import poverty. Our hospitals rot while our leaders fly abroad for medical care. Our universities shut down while politicians’ children study in London and America. We build mansions in Dubai but can’t build roads in Yola.
Nigeria has everything China had — and more — but the discipline that Chinese leaders imposed on their citizens is missing among Nigerians. This is not destiny — it is betrayal.
Africa’s greatest enemy is not poverty but division. Fifty-four flags, fifty-four dreams — yet none united. As long as we remain divided, we will remain weak. Foreign powers will continue to exploit us, divide us, and dictate our direction. But imagine an Africa that speaks with one voice, trades within itself, and builds for its own people. That Africa would be unstoppable.
Nigeria must lead this new awakening. With over 200 million citizens, countless natural resources, and unmatched creativity, Nigeria should be the engine of Africa’s rebirth. But to lead, we must first cleanse our house. We need leaders with vision and courage — leaders who see public office not as a jackpot but as a sacred duty. Leaders who will build schools, industries, and opportunities — not just campaign slogans.
If Nigeria rises, Africa will follow. But if Nigeria falls, the entire continent will stumble. The world is watching, and the Black race is waiting for a miracle that must begin here — in the land of giants.
The time for excuses is over. The time for courage is now. Nigeria must stand tall or sink under the weight of corruption and foreign manipulation. The choice is ours — poverty or greatness, shame or glory, darkness or dawn.
Nigeria, rise up. Africa is waiting.
Mogaji Wole Arisekola writes from Ibadan.
1/11/2025
