₦airaland Forum

Let me share my experience since I moved to America. Over here, every tier of government—local, state, and federal—has its own responsibilities and functions independently. This system makes development reach the grassroots effortlessly. But back home in Nigeria, everything is tied to either the state or federal government, leaving local councils powerless and ineffective. No wonder governors and politicians are more powerful than institutions like EFCC and ICPC.

Take Chicago, for example. The local government here handles its own revenue collection, builds and maintains roads, runs hospitals, and creates a business-friendly environment that generates jobs. You’ll never see the governor of Illinois coming to Chicago to inaugurate a local road or hospital project because each level of government knows its role and delivers without interference. Even law enforcement is decentralized—Chicago has its own police department, and Cook County (similar to our local councils in Nigeria) has its own sheriff’s department. Crime is tackled effectively because responsibilities are clear.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria, soldiers patrol highways harassing civilians, while the police are either underfunded or compromised. Here, soldiers don’t even engage in civil matters—in fact, they respect the police more than the other way around. The system works because accountability is enforced. Break a traffic rule? Your license gets suspended. Do it again? You might never drive again. And if driving is your livelihood, well, you better find another job. The law doesn’t play favorites.

Back in Warri, I remember a church buying two acres of land just to build a massive auditorium while 99% of the community had no functional companies to provide jobs. Graduates end up driving keke or doing POS business because there are no real opportunities. Yet, when a governor builds a single road, people start shouting, "Our governor is working!" My brother, is it road we will eat?

Our politicians are wicked—plain and simple. They travel abroad, see how things work, and yet refuse to implement the same systems back home. Instead, they keep us divided with politics, religion, and tribalism while looting everything in sight. Meanwhile, we spend our time on social media complaining instead of taking action. We’re too sentimental, too forgiving, and too quick to celebrate mediocrity.

In 2025, Nigeria is still struggling with basic electricity, good roads, and functioning hospitals while the rest of the world is advancing in AI and technology. When will we wake up? When will we demand real accountability? These politicians are destroying the future of the next generation, and if we don’t act now, things will only get worse.

It’s time to stop the noise and start holding people accountable. The system over here isn’t perfect, but at least it works because the laws are enforced. When will Nigeria learn?

Have you been to this address? 7504 South Stewart Avenue, Chicago, IL? That place has a history:

https://davidhundeyin.substack.com/p/bola-ahmed-tinubu-from-drug-lord

givedemwotowoto:
Have you been to this address? 7504 South Stewart Avenue, Chicago, IL? That place has a history:

https://davidhundeyin.substack.com/p/bola-ahmed-tinubu-from-drug-lord

it 11mins drive alway from me. And I don’t care about it. All I care is for Nigeria youth should wake up.

It's the quality of the people. Give us 200 more years, this generation and the next would phase off...then a new Nigeria would emerge! It took America that long to evolve.

Same Chicago has a poverty rate at 17% and over the roof gun violence!


Yes, a big city with high IGR, but what has that translated into for people of colour like you?

Can you afford to rent or buy houses in this districts you praise so much online?

Why not tell us about the conditions of where your colour dominates in same Illinois.

After robbing you of state and over the roof property taxes, you still could applaud the little they do. That state does not even have a speed train or modern infrastructure. All they got is old outdated buildings with 1930 railways that could collapse anytime.

Illinois will only freak you if you a newbie. That state is on the reverse.

CoronaVirusPro:
Same Chicago has a poverty rate at 17% and over the roof gun violence!


Yes, a big city with high IGR, but what has that translated into for people of colour like you?

Can you afford to rent or buy houses in this districts you praise so much online?

Why not tell us about the conditions of where your colour dominates in same Illinois.

After robbing you of state and over the roof property taxes, you still could applaud the little they do. That state does not even have a speed train or modern infrastructure. All they got is old outdated buildings with 1930 railways that could collapse anytime.

Illinois will only freak you if you a newbie. That state is on the reverse.

these are the kind of youth I’m talking about. All they do is feel so comfortable in the eyes of oppression and bad leadership. I pointed out some good things I witnessed and was advocating for it to happen in Nigeria. Show me where I praised it. And even in your opinion of the your convection, you can’t compare Lagos to Chicago. Abeg getat

Effective Governance has always been Bottom - up structured framework and not Top - Bottom like in Nigeria. Nigeria is simply a land engrossed with injustice and corruption.


Generate 90% of revenue from Niger Delta oil and develop Lagos and Abuja since 1960. (Lagos being Nigeria capital for 47 years & Abuja since 1991). Currently, The money is shared in Abuja monthly and In return they give a paltry sum of 13% to the Oil producing state to share.

And the die hard Ronus, claimed they own Lagos and that it was developed by Tinubu (AKA, Chicago Bobo)

Some day, very soon, the North will take ownership of Abuja and claim it is Buhari that develop it.

What a country!!.

Local government in Chicago.

You tried..

Thank you for your expository

Truly the local government in Nigeria isn't functioning.

If they did, each local government should have Corpers lodge, libraries, ability to generate and maintain electricity and other amenities.

CoronaVirusPro:
Same Chicago has a poverty rate at 17%

The average poverty rate in Nigeria is 56% which climbs to 63% if Multidimensional poverty is considered.

and over the roof gun violence!

Yet, the average life expectancy in Chicago is 79 years. If you consider only their black population, the average life expectancy is 70 years. In Nigeria, the average life expectancy is 54 years, with our under the roof gun violence.

Yes, a big city with high IGR, but what has that translated into for people of colour like you?

From the above statistics, far better than the big cities with high IGR on paper in Nigeria.

Can you afford to rent or buy houses in this districts you praise so much online?

Less than 10% of Nigerians can afford to rent or buy houses in the areas without even half the bang average facilities you can find here and there in Illinois. Less than 0.1% can afford either rent or purchase in the decent neighborhood in Nigeria.

Why not tell us about the conditions of where your colour dominates in same Illinois.

Same difference. If you consider those in a like-for-like conditions in Nigeria, they still live in mud and thatch houses.

After robbing you of state and over the roof property taxes, you still could applaud the little they do. That state does not even have a speed train or modern infrastructure. All they got is old outdated buildings with 1930 railways that could collapse anytime.

It is a civic duty to pay income taxes, property taxes, and VAT. What is not a civic duty is for the government to swallow these taxes without providing access to decent basics. It's not like 1% of the landmass in Nigeria has access to, or can afford these things you listed above, right?

Illinois will only freak you if you a newbie. That state is on the reverse.

Nigerian, not a newbie. In the country of the blind, a one-eyed man is a King.

Chicago produced BAT...

Me I have every opportunity to leave Nigeria. I have had UK visa, Malaysia Visa and visited severally. Presently I have a five year American Visa. Why am I still in Nigeria? I have lived long in this jungle that I have become afraid if I could fit in and live in a functional society.
I can't join line. I can't even be on queue in traffic. I don't like wait, I usually find a way out of an organized system.
Nigeria has dealt with me. Any place I am traveling to will take me at least two years to adjust to a normal person.

How old is Nigeria?


Just 70years ago, many states barely had 10% literacy rate, half of the population were almost naked and living like early man, but we suddenly think Nigeria should be US when we travel to US. We fail to see our role in the "failings" of Nigeria. There is no magic bullet, we will grow slowly and steadily at least in the next 15 years.

Life is a progress. I am doing certain business that has made me to understand that you can never ever skip the process.

Nigeria needs time it will get there. We are a great people with bad psyche. The psyche needs time to blend.

Gradually the paradigm will be shifting towards the right place and we will have great people in power.

America is a large democracy. The people were brought up with a complete thinking different from ours.

An American doesn’t believe that when they grow old their children must inherit their responsibilities but it’s otherwise here.

An American doesn’t believe that a husband must saddle the home responsibilities by 90/100% but it’s not like that here.

You don’t expect the people with these types of thinking to have the same way of running the government.

We the people are the country… leadership is from the within! We still have people like Awolowo and I am a great leader to watch out for.

Thank you for sharing your insightful experience.

You've highlighted the critical role that decentralized governance and institutional accountability play in driving real development.

Nigeria’s over-centralized system has indeed stifled local government effectiveness and weakened democratic accountability.

Until we demand systemic reforms and a culture of responsibility at all levels, we risk continuing the cycle of underdevelopment.

The contrast you’ve drawn is a powerful call for action—not just from leaders, but from every citizen.

Nigeria is gone for good

Nigeria na complete zoo.

chinchum:
How old is Nigeria?


Just 70years ago, many states barely had 10% literacy rate, half of the population were almost naked and living like early man, but we suddenly think Nigeria should be US when we travel to US. We fail to see our role in the "failings" of Nigeria. There is no magic bullet, we will grow slowly and steadily at least in the next 15 years.

This is non sequitur friend.

The person who charts the way takes a longer time than the person who follows the way. Everything in life follows this principle. Once a hypothesis becomes theory, it can be replicated.

Nigeria has no excuse not to be doing better than its present quagmire. Where we are was where many countries where years back and today, many have taken a bullet train to catch up with their contemporaries, ex India.

We can choose to wallow in our misery or become intentional about creating a new Nigeria, and put an end to recycling of impotent politicians.

steeltrust:
it 11mins drive alway from me. And I don’t care about it. All I care is for Nigeria youth should wake up.

Wake up where exactly? If the waking up was easy,why didn't you wake up, rather than traveling out of the dreams killing country?

In this country,if you wake up trying to fight corruption, the same corruption will so deal with you,that you won't want to wake another time. You think these leaders don't know what they are doing? They know,and they know that when the citizens aren't united,they can always have their way. So they keep pushing for disunity among citizens...

steeltrust:
it 11mins drive alway from me. And I don’t care about it. All I care is for Nigeria youth should wake up.

Clean your mouth

Baxilexi:
The person who charts the way takes a longer time than the person who follows the way.

Q.E.D.

steeltrust:
these are the kind of youth I’m talking about. All they do is feel so comfortable in the eyes of oppression and bad leadership. I pointed out some good things I witnessed and was advocating for it to happen in Nigeria. Show me where I praised it. And even in your opinion of the your convection, you can’t compare Lagos to Chicago. Abeg getat

sir stop replying such stuupid comments

So you're the new Bobo Chicago?

steeltrust:
Let me share my experience since I moved to America. Over here, every tier of government—local, state, and federal—has its own responsibilities and functions independently. This system makes development reach the grassroots effortlessly. But back home in Nigeria, everything is tied to either the state or federal government, leaving local councils powerless and ineffective. No wonder governors and politicians are more powerful than institutions like EFCC and ICPC.

Take Chicago, for example. The local government here handles its own revenue collection, builds and maintains roads, runs hospitals, and creates a business-friendly environment that generates jobs. You’ll never see the governor of Illinois coming to Chicago to inaugurate a local road or hospital project because each level of government knows its role and delivers without interference. Even law enforcement is decentralized—Chicago has its own police department, and Cook County (similar to our local councils in Nigeria) has its own sheriff’s department. Crime is tackled effectively because responsibilities are clear.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria, soldiers patrol highways harassing civilians, while the police are either underfunded or compromised. Here, soldiers don’t even engage in civil matters—in fact, they respect the police more than the other way around. The system works because accountability is enforced. Break a traffic rule? Your license gets suspended. Do it again? You might never drive again. And if driving is your livelihood, well, you better find another job. The law doesn’t play favorites.

Back in Warri, I remember a church buying two acres of land just to build a massive auditorium while 99% of the community had no functional companies to provide jobs. Graduates end up driving keke or doing POS business because there are no real opportunities. Yet, when a governor builds a single road, people start shouting, "Our governor is working!" My brother, is it road we will eat?

Our politicians are wicked—plain and simple. They travel abroad, see how things work, and yet refuse to implement the same systems back home. Instead, they keep us divided with politics, religion, and tribalism while looting everything in sight. Meanwhile, we spend our time on social media complaining instead of taking action. We’re too sentimental, too forgiving, and too quick to celebrate mediocrity.

In 2025, Nigeria is still struggling with basic electricity, good roads, and functioning hospitals while the rest of the world is advancing in AI and technology. When will we wake up? When will we demand real accountability? These politicians are destroying the future of the next generation, and if we don’t act now, things will only get worse.

It’s time to stop the noise and start holding people accountable. The system over here isn’t perfect, but at least it works because the laws are enforced. When will Nigeria learn?

We don talk taya

[quote author=steeltrust post=135521432]these are the kind of youth I’m talking about. All they do is feel so comfortable in the eyes of oppression and bad leadership. I pointed out some good things I witnessed and was advocating for it to happen in Nigeria. Show me where I praised it. And even in your opinion of the your convection, you can’t compare Lagos to Chicago. Abeg getat [quote]Thank you for giving him gbas gbos😂😂😂

helinues:
Local government in Chicago.

You tried..

You know everything has to be spelt out for these corn brothers. As an educator, I'm happy to do that than allow you run off with this ignorance.

You see that Council in Local Government "Council" in Nigeria, that's the same Council you have in the US as well. And just as a Chairman heads one in Nigeria, a Mayor heads one in the US.

Now, say "Thank You" 😁😁

DesChyko:
You know everything has to be spelt out for these corn brothers. As an educator, I'm happy to do that than allow you run off with this ignorance.

You see that Council in Local Government "Council" in Nigeria, that's the same Council you have in the US as well. And just as a chairman heads one in Nigeria, a Mayor heads one in the US.

Now, say "Thank You" 😁😁

You guys should stop lying ridiculously. You are not talking to kindergarten

helinues:
You guys should stop lying ridiculously. You are not talking to kindergarten

You still haven't thanked me. I just filled an empty zone in that head and you can't show appreciation.

So much for coming from a culture of respect. 😒😒

DesChyko:
You still haven't thanked me. I just filled an empty zone in that head and you can't show appreciation.

So much for coming from a culture of respect. 😒😒

Thank you for lying to yourself?

Stop kidney boy.

Oops. Dude went on the offensive unprovoked and got licked. Thanks for the sanitization once again, Nairaland 🙏🙏

I totally agreed with your statement concerning the functions of Local, State and Federal Government.

steeltrust:
Let me share my experience since I moved to America. Over here, every tier of government—local, state, and federal—has its own responsibilities and functions independently. This system makes development reach the grassroots effortlessly. But back home in Nigeria, everything is tied to either the state or federal government, leaving local councils powerless and ineffective. No wonder governors and politicians are more powerful than institutions like EFCC and ICPC.

Take Chicago, for example. The local government here handles its own revenue collection, builds and maintains roads, runs hospitals, and creates a business-friendly environment that generates jobs. You’ll never see the governor of Illinois coming to Chicago to inaugurate a local road or hospital project because each level of government knows its role and delivers without interference. Even law enforcement is decentralized—Chicago has its own police department, and Cook County (similar to our local councils in Nigeria) has its own sheriff’s department. Crime is tackled effectively because responsibilities are clear.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria, soldiers patrol highways harassing civilians, while the police are either underfunded or compromised. Here, soldiers don’t even engage in civil matters—in fact, they respect the police more than the other way around. The system works because accountability is enforced. Break a traffic rule? Your license gets suspended. Do it again? You might never drive again. And if driving is your livelihood, well, you better find another job. The law doesn’t play favorites.

Back in Warri, I remember a church buying two acres of land just to build a massive auditorium while 99% of the community had no functional companies to provide jobs. Graduates end up driving keke or doing POS business because there are no real opportunities. Yet, when a governor builds a single road, people start shouting, "Our governor is working!" My brother, is it road we will eat?

Our politicians are wicked—plain and simple. They travel abroad, see how things work, and yet refuse to implement the same systems back home. Instead, they keep us divided with politics, religion, and tribalism while looting everything in sight. Meanwhile, we spend our time on social media complaining instead of taking action. We’re too sentimental, too forgiving, and too quick to celebrate mediocrity.

In 2025, Nigeria is still struggling with basic electricity, good roads, and functioning hospitals while the rest of the world is advancing in AI and technology. When will we wake up? When will we demand real accountability? These politicians are destroying the future of the next generation, and if we don’t act now, things will only get worse.

It’s time to stop the noise and start holding people accountable. The system over here isn’t perfect, but at least it works because the laws are enforced. When will Nigeria learn?

Twist4u:
Effective Governance has always been Bottom - up structured framework and not Top - Bottom like in Nigeria. Nigeria is simply a land engrossed with injustice and corruption.


Generate 90% of revenue from Niger Delta oil and develop Lagos and Abuja since 1960. (Lagos being Nigeria capital for 47 years & Abuja since 1991). Currently, The money is shared in Abuja monthly and In return they give a paltry sum of 13% to the Oil producing state to share.

And the die hard Ronus, claimed they own Lagos and that it was developed by Tinubu (AKA, Chicago Bobo)

Some day, very soon, the North will take ownership of Abuja and claim it is Buhari that develop it.

What a country!!.

while some alainironu or ponu have destroyed their own region by supporting terrorist then they turn around and claim other people's region cos they have destroyed their own home