It is already a failed state. What we are enjoying today in Nigeria was built by the army. No security, no power, no roads, no hospitals for the poor, armed robbery, kidnapping, bribery and no good drinking water for the poor.

When I was in primary school, My father (a farmer) was able to pay my school fees and had a good bicycle. Today, a university graduate in Nigeria cannot afford to buy toilet soap. If that is not a sign of failed state, I don't know what is.

Let me have your opinions,

This is a very sensitive subject among Nigerians. Majority of Nigerians would through anger and frustration conclude Nigeria is a failed state. However there is a fine line between a failed Country and failed leadership.In my humble opinion Nigeria as a Nation is not a failed State for numerous reasons, rather our Leaders as far back as i can remember have failed in their obligation to move this GREAT Country forward economically, socially in order to take its rightful place in Africa and the World.

No, Nigeria is not yet a failed state. The only problem with Nigeria, is unprepared, poor and bad leaders. All those who have ruled Nigeria are dealers not leaders. Most of Nigerian politicians, had no day jobs before they entered politics. Politics in Nigeria, has been turned to big business and big business attracts the mafia and other types of criminals.

It is, and the typical nigerian replies will say Nigeria needs prayers or Only God can save us. But none of them can name any country that progressed through prayers or that God came down from (imaginary) Heaven to save.

This topic has done over and over again,

Of course Nigeria is a failed state.

If you have rebel movements operating within you nation, then you are a failed state.

Don't get me wrong the present administration/PDP has failed Nigerians.

Does poster really know the meaning of a failed state ?

~Bluetooth:

Does poster really know the meaning of a failed state ?

OK, Sir i would like to educate me the meaning of the bolded above.
Thanks.

chakula:

OK, Sir i would like to educate me the meaning of the bolded above.
Thanks.

Do you really want satellite images?

Failed States List
Failed States according to the "Failed States Index 2010" of Foreign Policy
177 states were included in the list, of which 37 were classified as "alert", 92 as "warning", 35 as "moderate", 13 as "sustainable". The worst 20 states are shown below. For the entire ranking see List of countries by Failed States Index. Change in rank from 2009 is shown in parentheses. There was a tie for 19th place between North Korea and Niger.[18]

1.   Somalia (0)
2.   Chad (+2)
3.   Sudan (0)
4.   Zimbabwe (-2)
5.   Democratic Republic of the Congo (0)
6.   Afghanistan (+1)
7.   Iraq (-1)
8.   Central African Republic (0)
9.   Guinea (0)
10.   Pakistan (0)
11.   Haiti (+1)
12.   Côte d'Ivoire (-1)
13.   Kenya (+1)
14.   Nigeria (+1)
15.   Yemen (+4)
16.   Burma (-3)
17.   Ethiopia (-1)
18.   Timor-Leste (+2)
19.   North Korea (-2)
19.   Niger (+4)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Failed_state

LFJ:

Failed States List
Failed States according to the "Failed States Index 2010" of Foreign Policy
177 states were included in the list, of which 37 were classified as "alert", 92 as "warning", 35 as "moderate", 13 as "sustainable". The worst 20 states are shown below. For the entire ranking see List of countries by Failed States Index. Change in rank from 2009 is shown in parentheses. There was a tie for 19th place between North Korea and Niger.[18]

1.   Somalia (0)
2.   Chad (+2)
3.   Sudan (0)
4.   Zimbabwe (-2)
5.   Democratic Republic of the Congo (0)
6.   Afghanistan (+1)
7.   Iraq (-1)
8.   Central African Republic (0)
9.   Guinea (0)
10.   Pakistan (0)
11.   Haiti (+1)
12.   Côte d'Ivoire (-1)
13.   Kenya (+1)
14.   Nigeria (+1)
15.   Yemen (+4)
16.   Burma (-3)
17.   Ethiopia (-1)
18.   Timor-Leste (+2)
19.   North Korea (-2)
19.   Niger (+4)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Failed_state

See how many African countries dey for that list. Na wah

Then again, Pakistan and Kenya are doing better than Niger, so that list is questionable.

chakula:

This is a very sensitive subject among Nigerians. Majority of Nigerians would through anger and frustration conclude Nigeria is a failed state. However there is a fine line between a failed Country and failed leadership.In my humble opinion Nigeria as a Nation is not a failed State for numerous reasons, rather our Leaders as far back as i can remember have failed in their obligation to move this GREAT Country forward economically, socially in order to take its rightful place in Africa and the World.

You make a good argument here, but do you consider the populace and non government holding citizens part of the problem. Leaders are choppin money because the general populace isnt serious enough to do anything about it. How many Hausa folks are going to seriously overthrow their feudal rulers in Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, etc. In Ogun state, robbers are dealing with banks without fear, and you wonder what Ogun folks are doing? Across in Abia, kidnappers are heavyweights, yet the people are planning for the upcoming New Yam festival. In Bayelsa, "terrorist" are showing western journalist that they can use speed boats very well, but to seriously take action-no, except to claim and deny bomb blast in modern cities.

The following are the indicators of a failed state. Let do our own analysis and see where we belong.

Political indicators
1. Criminalization and/or delegitimisation of the state: endemic corruption or profiteering by ruling elites and resistance to transparency, accountability and political representation. Includes any widespread loss of popular confidence in state institutions and processes.
2. Progressive deterioration of public services: a disappearance of basic state functions that serve the people, including failure to protect citizens from terrorism and violence and to provide essential services, such as health, education, sanitation, public transportation. Also using the state apparatus for agencies that serve the ruling elites, such as the security forces, presidential staff, central bank, diplomatic service, customs and collection agencies.
3. Widespread violation of human rights: an emergence of authoritarian, dictatorial or military rule in which constitutional and democratic institutions and processes are suspended or manipulated. Outbreaks of politically inspired (as opposed to criminal) violence against innocent civilians. A rising number of political prisoners or dissidents who are denied due process consistent with international norms and practices. Any widespread abuse of legal, political and social rights, including those of individuals, groups or cultural institutions (e.g., harassment of the press, politicization of the judiciary, internal use of military for political ends, public repression of political opponents, religious or cultural persecution.)
4. Security apparatus as ‘state within a state’: an emergence of elite or praetorian guards that operate with impunity. Emergence of state-sponsored or state-supported private militias that terrorize political opponents, suspected "enemies," or civilians seen to be sympathetic to the opposition. An "army within an army" that serves the interests of the dominant military or political clique. Emergence of rival militias, guerilla forces or private armies in an armed struggle or protracted violent campaigns against state security forces.
5. Rise of factionalised elites: a fragmentation of ruling elites and state institutions along group lines. Use of aggressive nationalistic rhetoric by ruling elites, especially destructive forms of communal irredentism (e.g., "Greater Serbia" or communal solidarity (e.g., "ethnic cleansing", "defending the faith".
6. Intervention of other states or external factors: military or Para-military engagement in the internal affairs of the state at risk by outside armies, states, identity groups or entities that affect the internal balance of power or resolution of the conflict. Intervention by donors, especially if there is a tendency towards over-dependence on foreign aid or peacekeeping missions.

Social indicators
1. Demographic pressures: including the pressures deriving from high population density relative to food supply and other life-sustaining resources. The pressure from a population's settlement patterns and physical settings, including border disputes, ownership or occupancy of land, access to transportation outlets, control of religious or historical sites, and proximity to environmental hazards.
2. Massive movement of refugees and internally displaced peoples: forced uprooting of large communities as a result of random or targeted violence and/or repression, causing food shortages, disease, lack of clean water, land competition, and turmoil that can spiral into larger humanitarian and security problems, both within and between countries.
3. Legacy of vengeance-seeking group grievance: based on recent or past injustices, this could date back centuries. Including atrocities committed with impunity against communal groups and/or specific groups singled out by state authorities, or by dominant groups, for persecution or repression. Institutionalized political exclusion. Public scapegoating of groups believed to have acquired wealth, status or power as evidenced in the emergence of "hate" radio, pamphleteering and stereotypical or nationalistic political rhetoric.
4. Chronic and sustained human flight: both the "brain drain" of professionals, intellectuals and political dissidents and voluntary emigration of "the middle class." Growth of exile/expat communities are also used as part of this indicator.

Economic indicators
1. Uneven economic development along group lines: determined by group-based inequality, or perceived inequality, in education, jobs, and economic status. Also measured by group-based poverty levels, infant mortality rates, and education levels.
2. Sharp and/or severe economic decline: measured by a progressive economic decline of the society as a whole (using: per capita income, GNP, debt, child mortality rates, poverty levels, business failures.) A sudden drop in commodity prices, trade revenue, foreign investment or debt payments. Collapse or devaluation of the national currency and a growth of hidden economies, including the drug trade, smuggling, and capital flight. Failure of the state to pay salaries of government employees and armed forces or to meet other financial obligations to its citizens, such as pension payment


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Failed_state

LFJ:

The following are the indicators of a failed state. Let do our own analysis and see where we belong.

Political indicators
1. Criminalization and/or delegitimisation of the state: endemic corruption or profiteering by ruling elites and resistance to transparency, accountability and political representation. Includes any widespread loss of popular confidence in state institutions and processes.
2. Progressive deterioration of public services: a disappearance of basic state functions that serve the people, including failure to protect citizens from terrorism and violence and to provide essential services, such as health, education, sanitation, public transportation. Also using the state apparatus for agencies that serve the ruling elites, such as the security forces, presidential staff, central bank, diplomatic service, customs and collection agencies.
3. Widespread violation of human rights: an emergence of authoritarian, dictatorial or military rule in which constitutional and democratic institutions and processes are suspended or manipulated. Outbreaks of politically inspired (as opposed to criminal) violence against innocent civilians. A rising number of political prisoners or dissidents who are denied due process consistent with international norms and practices. Any widespread abuse of legal, political and social rights, including those of individuals, groups or cultural institutions (e.g., harassment of the press, politicization of the judiciary, internal use of military for political ends, public repression of political opponents, religious or cultural persecution.)
4. Security apparatus as ‘state within a state’: an emergence of elite or praetorian guards that operate with impunity. Emergence of state-sponsored or state-supported private militias that terrorize political opponents, suspected "enemies," or civilians seen to be sympathetic to the opposition. An "army within an army" that serves the interests of the dominant military or political clique. Emergence of rival militias, guerilla forces or private armies in an armed struggle or protracted violent campaigns against state security forces.
5. Rise of factionalised elites: a fragmentation of ruling elites and state institutions along group lines. Use of aggressive nationalistic rhetoric by ruling elites, especially destructive forms of communal irredentism (e.g., "Greater Serbia" or communal solidarity (e.g., "ethnic cleansing", "defending the faith".
6. Intervention of other states or external factors: military or Para-military engagement in the internal affairs of the state at risk by outside armies, states, identity groups or entities that affect the internal balance of power or resolution of the conflict. Intervention by donors, especially if there is a tendency towards over-dependence on foreign aid or peacekeeping missions.

Social indicators
1. Demographic pressures: including the pressures deriving from high population density relative to food supply and other life-sustaining resources. The pressure from a population's settlement patterns and physical settings, including border disputes, ownership or occupancy of land, access to transportation outlets, control of religious or historical sites, and proximity to environmental hazards.
2. Massive movement of refugees and internally displaced peoples: forced uprooting of large communities as a result of random or targeted violence and/or repression, causing food shortages, disease, lack of clean water, land competition, and turmoil that can spiral into larger humanitarian and security problems, both within and between countries.
3. Legacy of vengeance-seeking group grievance: based on recent or past injustices, this could date back centuries. Including atrocities committed with impunity against communal groups and/or specific groups singled out by state authorities, or by dominant groups, for persecution or repression. Institutionalized political exclusion. Public scapegoating of groups believed to have acquired wealth, status or power as evidenced in the emergence of "hate" radio, pamphleteering and stereotypical or nationalistic political rhetoric.
4. Chronic and sustained human flight: both the "brain drain" of professionals, intellectuals and political dissidents and voluntary emigration of "the middle class." Growth of exile/expat communities are also used as part of this indicator.

Economic indicators
1. Uneven economic development along group lines: determined by group-based inequality, or perceived inequality, in education, jobs, and economic status. Also measured by group-based poverty levels, infant mortality rates, and education levels.
2. Sharp and/or severe economic decline: measured by a progressive economic decline of the society as a whole (using: per capita income, GNP, debt, child mortality rates, poverty levels, business failures.) A[b] sudden drop in commodity prices, trade revenue, foreign investment or debt payments. Collapse or devaluation of the national currency and a growth of hidden economies, including the drug trade, smuggling, and capital flight. Failure of the state to pay salaries of government employees and armed forces or to meet other financial obligations to its citizens, such as pension payment[/b]


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Failed_state

And you guys said Nigeria is a failed state ?