Port harcourt — Nigeria, once a towering force among developing nations, is steadily losing its global relevance—not just because of corrupt leadership, but due to the complacency and lack of accountability among its citizens.
While leaders continue to plunder the nation’s wealth with impunity, the silence and inaction of the governed serve as a silent endorsement of the rot.
In the 1970s and early 1980s, Nigeria was not only respected globally, it was economically ahead of countries now classified as global emerging powers—such as India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and even China in some sectors. The naira once exchanged nearly at par with the U.S. dollar, and Nigeria’s civil service and infrastructure were a benchmark for many African nations. Today, that glory has faded, replaced by endemic corruption, poor governance, and an apathetic citizenry.
Historically, countries like Malaysia imported palm oil and its seedlings from Nigeria. As of today, Malaysia is the second-largest exporter of palm oil in the world, while Nigeria—once the global leader—now struggles with basic agricultural productivity. According to the World Bank, agriculture still contributes significantly to Nigeria’s GDP, yet the nation remains a net importer of food, highlighting deep structural and policy failures.
In what should have sparked national outrage, a government official once claimed a mysterious snake “swallowed” N36 million from a government office in Benue State. Rather than a national uprising, the incident became a meme—symbolizing how normalized impunity has become in the country.
It is in Nigeria that public office holders behave like demi-gods—far above the rule of law. There’s no meaningful consequence for misconduct. Rather, corruption is rewarded with political appointments or party leadership positions. The judiciary, once the last hope of the common man, is now seen as a pawn in the hands of the powerful.
Most recently, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unconstitutional suspension of a sitting governor—Sir Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State—made headlines and triggered nationwide condemnation. Yet again, no legal action has been taken, and the national assembly has remained silent. It is as though the law no longer applies to the ruling elite.
Inflation is at a staggering 33.2% as of March 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Food inflation alone is nearing 40%, making survival a daily battle for ordinary Nigerians. The naira continues its freefall against major currencies, while unemployment and poverty soar—yet citizens appear unbothered or resigned to fate.
Worse still, electoral integrity has deteriorated to the point where many Nigerians believe election results are pre-written. Court verdicts are widely seen as influenced by executive interests, not the rule of law or justice.
The real tragedy is not just bad leadership—it is citizen apathy. In functioning democracies, the people are the custodians of accountability. But in Nigeria, the governed have become so accustomed to hardship and impunity that even blatant acts of illegality are met with silence.
Fellow Nigerians, how much longer can we endure this decay? When will we collectively rise to demand accountability, justice, and responsible governance? We cannot afford to continue on this path. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and it is our duty to protect and rebuild it.
We have only one country—let us not watch it collapse in silence.
Michael A. G. Iboh writes from Rivers State
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