I once asked a U.S. army commander responsible for
Africa what kept him up at night about the continent.
"Elections," he said. His concern was the kind of
political anxiety that has gripped Nigerian ahead of
the next elections.
The postponement of elections signifies Nigeria is at
a delicate crossroads, with the next several weeks
being a critical period in the nation's democracy and
its relations with Africa and the world. But the stakes
are high for the international community as well.
But amid these concerns, Nigeria's economic future
remains optimistic. According to a recent survey, the
country is projected to be among the 10 fastest
economies in the world is 2015. Sustaining this
positive outlook will be significantly influenced by the
conduct and outcome of the elections.
The most important measure of national maturity is
conducting free and fair elections and avoiding post-
election violence. Of the latter, Nigeria has had too
much already.
The international community has been slow to
support Nigeria's fight against Boko Haram's
extremism. The UN Security Council only recently
even acknowledged the conflict. The United States,
France, and the United Kingdom have offered some
support, but not enough to significantly impact the
outcome. Many have argued that Nigeria has been
slow to respond to the crisis. But Boko Haram is a
global issue, not just a Nigeria concern. The decision
of the African Union to send 8,700 troops to fight the
extremists underscores the international nature of
the crisis.
Nigerians must take the lead in combating this
threat. But beyond the loss of life and human
suffering, the violence and instability threatens
Nigeria’s economic growth prospects. Nigeria has
made an effort to diversify its economy from oil and
invest in agriculture, manufacturing, and services.
The effort is even more urgent now in the face of
falling global oil prices.
Nigeria is Africa's largest economy and 26th in the
world. Its GDP stands at $510 billion with immense
growth potential. A stable and peaceful Nigeria will
contribute to Africa's rise and integration into the
global economy. On the other hand, an unstable,
stagnant and conflict-driven Nigeria will be a threat
to regional and global stability.
Last year, President Barack Obama hosted Africa's
leaders at a summit in Washington. One of the
highlights was an impressive gathering of CEOs from
many of the largest U.S. companies, to explore new
business opportunities across Africa. Importantly,
investor interest in Nigeria and across Africa today
includes not just oil and mining companies looking to
develop and export natural resources, but
infrastructure, technology, consumer goods,
agribusiness, and manufacturing companies that can
sustain growth, create jobs, and improve livelihoods.
The United States is the largest foreign investor in
Nigeria, with many U.S. companies looking ahead to
the potential of a large, growing consumer market
emerging in the country. It is vital that this
investment interest not be undermined by the
spread of violence and instability.

The culture of corruption is entrenched in Nigeria.
Taking it on should be a top priority for the winner.
Nigeria has shown that it can act. An example is
reforming the system to provide farmers with
agricultural input. Today, the private sector
distributes fertilizer to farmers, with the government
only providing a subsidy. It has created a national
database of more than 10 million smallholder
farmers to ensure they receive the needed supplies.
This is far from being enough, but it is an important
step forward.
Nigeria has the potential to be a key exporter of
agricultural produce. It has over 84 million hectares
of arable land — larger than the size of Turkey — but
only 40 percent of it is currently cultivated. It has
abundant rainfall and a labor force that can increase
agriculture production. With continued reforms and
infusion of domestic and foreign investment, this
sector can grow to feed Nigerians and the wider
world.
The country has shown its potential to nurture a
growing entrepreneurial class. The emergence of
Nollywood, a booming billion dollar film industry, has
been made possible by a combination of new digital
technologies and a culture of entrepreneurship.
Investing in infrastructure (energy, transport,
irrigation, and telecoms) to grow other sectors
requires peace and stability. The country's
infrastructure gap between now and 2030 is
estimated at $2.4 trillion.
The way Nigeria swiftly contained Ebola through
state, federal, and international cooperation is
another sign of the country's potential to be a key
regional and international player. Nigeria also plays a
decisive role as a leader in peacekeeping across
Africa.
The country's political and military leadership needs
to ensure a free and fair vote. All sides must respect
the result. Then the international community needs
to support Nigeria's efforts to promote economic
growth and social inclusion, contain violence and
extremism, and tackle corruption. Investment in
diplomacy, economic engagement, and security will
lead to a more prosperous Nigeria. Africa and the
world will sleep better with a stable and peaceful
Nigeria.
Calestous Juma is Professor of the Practice of
International Development at Harvard Kennedy
School where he teaches on technology and
innovation for development. During 2014-15 he is
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Visiting Professor at
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

How much does it cost to acquire a land here

Its simple...

Nigeria is a nation with potentials

APC WITCHCRAFT BROOM CARRYING PARTY


The Schizophrenic sick Pa Buhari is a terrorist, deranged old brainless super clueless bastard
Apc is boko haram
Thiefnu.bu is a pedophile and a cocain sniffer

Buhari can only be president in sambisa and shekau would hand over to him.

Osinbajo is fake and a loafer

Amechi and Fashola are errand boys