₦airaland Forum

Abubakar tayo chima, a Nigerian businessman, goes to see his old university buddy Lao Wang, now living in Beijing. He arrives at Lao Wang’s apartment and notices a brand new Audi A6 parked outside, an Hermes belt gracing his belly and a brand new Rolex on his wrist.

“My friend,” says Abubakar tayo chima, “You have done well for yourself!”

“Well,” says Lao Wang proudly, bringing him to the big bay window in his apartment, “Do you see that bridge over there?”

“Yes I do! It’s a beautiful bridge.”

“That’s my project!” Lao Wang grins, pointing a thumb at his chest.

Abubakar tayo chima, is impressed, and leaves Beijing with many thoughts on how to get rich. Years later, Lao Wang finds himself in Lagos and hits up his old friend Abubakar, who invites him to his home.

Lao Wang is almost bowled over by the opulence of the place. It is a mansion made of marble and gold. Two Rolls Royce are parked outside. He enters Abubakar’s massive office and immediately blurts out:

“My friend, you have done VERY well for yourself!”

“Well,” says Abubakar tayo chima,proudly, bringing him to a big bay window, “Do you see that bridge over there?”

Lao Wang looks and looks, but turns to Abubakar tayo chima, confused. “What bridge?”

“That’s my project!” grins Abubakar Tayo chima.

It’s a complaint I’ve heard many times from African friends when we compare corruption there and in China. In China, you get rich but you still allow the country to develop. The bridge gets built, even though it’s 20% more expensive because of bribes (or shittier materials). In Africa, the bridge doesn’t get built but the money disappears anyway.

culled from quora