Nigeria Isn’t Dead — But the Narrative of National Collapse Is Misleading
Yesterday, I attended a community forum in Abuja that left me both intrigued and challenged — not by the topic, but by the contradictions in what was said and the applause it drew. The keynote speaker was Mr. Isaac Fayose, a well‑known figure who did not hold back in his assessment of the nation. At one point, he said something that resonated with many emotionally but begged deeper analysis:
> “Everything in Nigeria is dead — the people, the system, the economy, the government, the youths. Nothing is working.”
That line exploded in applause from the audience. But the more I thought about it, the more I noticed a disconnect between what was being celebrated and what reality actually shows.
Before making that sweeping declaration, Mr. Fayose was asked why he frequently criticizes government systems when members of his own family once held political office. He was also asked how he actually makes his money. His answers revealed an unexpected twist:
👉 He spoke at length about running multiple successful businesses within Nigeria, including a large and thriving farm. He even mentioned that the first millions of dollars he earned came during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration — a period of Nigeria’s history he now seems to dismiss.
Yet today, he describes that same system — the same government environment where his wealth was built — as completely “dead.”
This contradiction raises a compelling question: How does a man build wealth from a system he now describes as lifeless?
Think about that for a moment.
The System He Rejects Is the Very Soil of His Success
The government he scathingly critiques awarded contracts that helped build his fortune. The economy he claims is dead is the environment where his businesses flourish. The youths he says are “dead” work in those companies. And the country he dismisses is the very nation that has nurtured his prosperity.
Yet, the room’s applause showed that emotional resonance often trumps logical consistency — especially when negativity validates people’s frustrations.
I listened closely and noticed something even more ironic.
Another speaker at the same event echoed Fayose’s sentiment that “Nigeria is dead.” This man claimed to have lived in the United States but moved to Abuja and now operates multiple successful businesses with impressive annual revenue. If the country were truly so lifeless, what explains his decision to relocate to Nigeria and invest heavily here?
The irony is striking.
This contradiction is not unique. Too often, the loudest critics of our nation are not strangers to its opportunities — they are products of them. They have succeeded within the system they now publicly discredit. They continue to benefit from that same system while painting it as hopeless.
This should make us pause.
Why Negativity Is So Popular
In today's social climate, bleak narratives have become a kind of social currency. They ignite emotions, spur shares, and stir applause faster than balanced analysis. It is easier to claim that everything is broken than to acknowledge that opportunities — though imperfect — still exist.
Nigeria has very real challenges:
Economic pressure and inflation remain high as the country navigates complex reforms, while growth is still unstable.
Persistent issues like unreliable infrastructure, energy deficits, and bureaucratic obstacles make entrepreneurship difficult for many.
Young people face structural barriers in accessing capital, regulatory approvals, and formal markets.
Yet, even amid these challenges, the Nigerian economy shows signs of life.
Economic Indicators That Defy “Dead” Narratives
Recent data from credible international sources paints a more nuanced picture of Nigeria’s economy:
📈 GDP Growth: In 2024, Nigeria recorded its fastest economic growth in a decade, with a 4.6% increase in the final quarter, driven by reforms aimed at stabilizing the fiscal base and stimulating productive sectors.
📊 Balance of Payments Surplus: Nigeria posted a $6.83 billion balance of payments surplus, a significant turnaround from prior deficits, signaling rising investor confidence and stronger trade performance.
These aren’t signs of a dead economy — they are indicators of transformation, albeit imperfect and uneven.
Entrepreneurship Is Not Dead — It Is Struggling and Surviving
According to entrepreneurship reports, Nigerians are among the most entrepreneurial people in the world. For example:
🔹 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) contribute more than half of Nigeria’s GDP, even though most are micro‑enterprises — demonstrating grassroots economic activity.
🔹 Nigeria’s youth — many of whom are labeled “dead” or “lost” — are driving business creation in agriculture, tech, digital services, and local product manufacturing.
However, entrepreneurship in Nigeria does come with systemic challenges:
Entrepreneurs deal with multiple layers of taxation and bureaucratic delays.
Access to affordable financing remains limited, with banks demanding heavy collateral and high interest.
The infrastructure gap — including unreliable power and poor transport — increases operating costs.
These obstacles are real, but they are obstacles — not death sentences.
The Danger of Simplistic Narratives
When voices of influence blanket entire nations with statements like “Nigeria is dead,” they inadvertently chip away at confidence — especially among the young and ambitious who are still trying to build careers, launch businesses, and create new opportunities.
Constant exposure to negative rhetoric can poison collective optimism and distract from the real work that transforms communities and economies.
It is far easier to despair than to engage in the hard work of improvement.
Patriotism Doesn’t Ignore Problems — It Confronts Them
Patriotism is not a denial of reality. It is not pretending problems do not exist. It is recognizing flaws and choosing not to surrender to cynicism. It is holding a vision of possibility even when the path forward is difficult.
Nigeria is not flawless. Like every nation, we wrestle with political, economic, and social challenges. But every nation with significant achievements — from the United States to South Korea to Ghana — has faced its own battles. The difference lies in the resolve to continue building, not abandoning.
A Call to Think Beyond Applause
So here is my plea:
👉 Listen carefully. Think deeply. Question loudly‑applauded negativity.
Do not mistake emotional slogans for structural truths. Do not allow despair to overshadow the tangible progress that exists in sectors like trade, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Nigeria is not dead. And neither are the people who still dare to build within it.
So, Mr. Fayose — and to everyone who echoes that sentiment — allow me to respond:
This country is not dead. Its people are not dead. Its economy still breathes. And your own success story is evidence of progress inside the very nation you now dismiss.
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