What is Nigeria’s Current Top Devt Obstacle?

Several things had earlier been identified as serious impediments to the growth and development of Nigeria as a country with Africa’s largest population. Among them were corruption, insincere leadership, selfish elites, weak policy implementation, absence of basic infrastructure, insurgency, citizens’ apathy, low agricultural and even food insecurity. A lot has happened in the last year since the current administration came into power, but what is your biggest obstacle to Nigeria’s development process and how can it be successfully resolved?

ABIMBOLA AKOSILE

* Once the right and capable hands are in place, Nigeria will fly. Right now, it seems the same old tune is playing as we dance.
– Miss Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos

* There is the saying that, ‘In unity we stand; divided we fall’. What can be the current top development obstacle more than our refusal to love and cherish one another, where everybody respects one another’s religion, tribe or ethnicity? There are few individuals or shall we say cabals that are trading with our conscience to see us always in disunity. The solution is unity.
– Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna State

* Incompetent leadership is our biggest obstacle, and political/electoral reforms are the solution.
– Mr. Aiyegbusi Abiodun Franklin, Water Engineer, Lagos

* The current exchange rate of the naira has done so much damage to our economy that if something is not done urgently, this recession will only worsen. Some many companies have relocated out of Nigeria, as a result taking with them thousands of real sector jobs. On the other hand, capital flight due to importation of almost everything is further worsening the situation and making the cost of living unbearable. The negative multiplier effects are numerous. Something must be done to shore up the naira if we are to survive this recession and save the economy.
– Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State

* Lack of patriotic and servant leadership.
– Mr. Feyisetan Akeeb Kareem, CDHR Coordinator, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State

* Our current top development challenges like corruption, insincere leadership, selfish elites, weak policy implementation, absence of basic infrastructure, insurgency, citizens’ apathy, low food insecurity e.t.c. all call for genuine concerns. But more vital and pathetic are the cancerous effects of religion, ethnicity, hypocrisy, un-patriotism, greed, avarice e.t.c. weighing Nigeria down variously. We must change our sordid mindset positively in addition to good moral or and communal upbringing of our future leaders for a better society and tomorrow. The time to adjust is now.
– Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State

* Lack of financial controls in the Civil Service. The lack of financial controls has led to systemic corruption in Nigeria’s civil service at all levels of government. Until sufficient and effective financial controls are put in place in the Civil Service, corruption will continue to ravage our nation.
– Mr. Utibe Uko, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

* The problem with Nigeria is that we don’t implement policies that will better Nigerians’ lives. It is very unfortunate and sad. Nigerian leaders have a long way to go in governance of implementing policies despite the party differences and other related differences.
– Mrs. Ijeoma Nnorom, Lagos State

* The civil service is the bane of our nation’s backwardness. Until the civil service can be reformed to play the role of national long and short term policy formation, we shall always grope and stumble about in the dark. They (civil service) are the bastion of corruption in our nation
– Mr. Kayode Rufus, Lagos

* Insincerity; if we are sincere there would be no selfishness, corruption, weak policy implementation, low agriculture and food insecurity, because we hate the truth we brewed like Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen, kidnappers e.t.c. Unless we inculcate the habit to be faithful, love one another as ourselves, we will continue to remain in our present predicament, if not worse. This current government should be encouraged to weed out corrupt individuals in our midst.
– Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna

* Docile citizens and corruptible society are the top obstacles. Remove these and our problems would be solved. If leadership knows society will not accept and condone any nonsense they will sit up and deliver on their promises.
– Mr. Idris Adesina, London, United Kingdom

* Apart from refusing to take advantage of our population size economically, corruption, insincere leadership, selfish elites, weak policy implementation, lack of basic infrastructure, insurgency, citizens’ apathy, low agriculture, strategising complexities e.t.c. challenge our progress negatively and seriously. Ethnicity, religion, disaffection, financial greed, disunity, federal character e.t.c. also breed systems failure. Advanced economies have rejected all these and anti-development forces that we still hold so high long behind them but focus on open truth and real national patriotism always.
– Mr. Apeji Onesi, Lagos State

* It’s basically incompetent leadership. Oyo and Osun state Governors are case studies of this. Their own ways of governance simply prove and show their incompetence.
– Mr. Okunlola Olawale, Lagos

* I think quite pertinent for us at this time is for us all to discuss and decide how we move forward as a nation with a level field for all. When we realise and act upon the realisation that every Nigerian should feel included in the Nigerian project, then progress will be exponential.
– Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R. Associates, Apo, Abuja

* The main obstacle is insincere leadership and selfish elites. Although PMB appears to want the best for Nigerians, he has surrounded himself with selfish acolytes and elites who are not interested in the average citizen’s wellbeing. The president has to really move out of the clutches of this cabal and deliver on his promises to the people who love him and voted him into power. The downside of it is the rejection of PMB by the people, which will pave way for the opposition to raise hell against and return to power in 2019.
– Mr. Olumuiywa Olorunsomo, Lagos State

THE RESPONSE

Top devt obstacle: Incompetent leadership
Second: Poor policy implementation
Third: Poor attitudes, ethnicity
Radical tip: Purge Civil Service!
Total no of respondents: 15
Male: 12
Female: 3
Highest location: Lagos (8)

Next Week: How Can Nigeria Check Capital Flight?
Analysts have prescribed huge spending – especially on capital projects – as a way out of the current economic recession facing the country. However, most of these vital funds are domiciled in the private sector where ironically companies are folding up daily while others are relocating their operations and funds to more economically stable countries like Ghana, with resultant capital flight out of a cash-starved economy here in Nigeria. To your informed mind, how can the current administration check capital flight and get the economy back on track with injection of cash and capital projects?

Please make your response direct, short and simple, and state your full name, title, organisation, and location. Responses should be sent between today (November 10 & Monday, November 14) to abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.com, AND abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.com. Respondents can also send a short text message to 08023117639 and/or 08188361766 and/or 08114495306. Collated responses will be published on Thursday, November 17

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