₦airaland Forum

A predatory state is a country that exists primarily to exploit its people and natural resources for the enrichment of a corrupt elite rather than for national development. When a nation’s leadership focuses solely on extracting natural resources, overtaxing citizens, and suppressing dissent to serve elite interests—while allowing the economy, security, and infrastructure to deteriorate—the state becomes predatory. Nizooria exemplifies this condition.

Across the world, responsible states manage natural resources such as coal, solid minerals, crude oil, and natural gas with long-term development in mind. No country has achieved sustained prosperity by merely consuming the proceeds from the sale of natural resources. Those that attempted this path often became worse off despite their abundance of wealth. In contrast, developmental states reinvest resource revenues into entrepreneurship, industrialisation, agriculture, and productive sectors of the economy.

When a country abandons a culture of hard work and merit in favour of dependence on natural resource rents, it ultimately becomes poorer. Resource wealth may appear attractive, but it fosters dependency, weakens productivity, and entrenches corruption. In such systems, access to power becomes the ultimate prize, stifling innovation, eroding creative problem-solving, and undermining the ingenuity of the people—qualities that are essential for survival, growth, and sustainable development.

Europe, for example, possesses fewer natural resources than many other continents, yet it remains the most developed. The Middle East, despite its vast resource endowment, has struggled to translate that wealth into broad-based development. Europe’s transformation was driven by the Industrial Revolution, which laid the foundation for productivity, innovation, and global influence. By contrast, heavy dependence on crude oil has not propelled much of the Middle East toward diversified and sustainable development. Instead, it has often coincided with persistent conflict, political instability, and social fragmentation.

Even in cases where oil wealth was deliberately distributed to the population—such as in Libya and Iraq—the outcomes were disastrous, culminating in state collapse and prolonged instability. This failure stems largely from an approach to development that treats resource wealth as a benevolent handout rather than as capital to drive productive, people-led economic transformation. Learning from these experiences, several Arab states, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Dubai, have increasingly redirected oil revenues into tourism, infrastructure, and industrialisation as pathways to long-term sustainability.

Nizooria, by contrast, began its postcolonial journey on a relatively strong economic footing, with agriculture as the backbone of its economy. This sector actively engaged the population in production, income generation, and value creation. Historical records indicate that by many measures, Nizooria was economically better off sixty years ago than it is today. Beyond agriculture, the former Eastern Region also possessed coal reserves and significant deposits of crude oil and natural gas. The coal deposits in Enugu, for instance, led to the development of Port Harcourt as a major export port.

Notably, the Eastern Regional Government deliberately limited the dominance of coal in the economy, choosing instead to reinvest its proceeds into agriculture and industrialisation. This strategy resulted in the establishment of agricultural settlements and industrial layouts across the region. As a consequence, resource ownership did not become a basis for entitlement or rent-seeking. Communities did not abandon productivity to demand royalties or obstruct production. This disciplined, development-oriented approach helped make the Eastern Region one of the fastest-growing economies of its time.

Despite the efforts of the Eastern Regional Government to instil discipline and rationality in its economic system, political actors in Northern and Western Nizooria increasingly coveted the region’s crude oil resources and awaited an opportunity to centralise control over them. To advance this objective, various forms of propaganda were promoted among minority communities, portraying crude oil as a source of effortless prosperity that would eliminate the need for productive labour. The culture of discipline, enterprise, and self-reliance that the Eastern Regional Government had consciously nurtured was gradually undermined and replaced—at the national level—by policies that encouraged dependency and rent-seeking. This shift was largely driven by the determination to remove control of crude oil from the Igbo-dominated Eastern Region.

In this context, figures such as Isaac Adaka Boro—who had himself benefited from Eastern Regional scholarships funded by coal revenues—began advancing resource-ownership narratives, later echoed by Ken Saro-Wiwa. When the opportunity presented itself during the civil war, the emerging predatory Nizoorian state aligned with these sentiments. As a result, leadership standards deteriorated and the national value system shifted decisively. Productivity and enterprise were displaced by entitlement and consumption.

Rivers State was subsequently designated the “treasure base” of the nation, a symbolic and practical indicator of the country’s transition from a production-oriented economy to one centred on resource consumption. Nizooria evolved into a fully predatory state, focused almost exclusively on resource extraction. In pursuit of this objective, the state resorted to extreme measures—including the invasion of communities, administrative gerrymandering of states and localities, and the coercive consolidation of control—to facilitate crude oil exploitation, rather than using resource wealth as a tool to mobilise citizens toward development.

As crude oil was elevated to near-mythical status, agriculture and industrialisation steadily declined. Federal policies and entrenched corruption actively discouraged farming and manufacturing, even as oil revenues were glorified as a substitute for productive effort. The East Central State, which ought to have emerged as an entrepreneurial and industrial hub after the war, was instead deliberately weakened. Social sectors such as education, healthcare, power, and transportation were subjected to unsustainable subsidies, all financed from the same finite resource base. In effect, the foundations of long-term development were sacrificed for short-term consumption, entrenching Nizooria’s transformation into a predatory state.

Over the decades, subsidies and corruption persisted, while population growth and elite rent-seeking expanded dramatically. The critical difference, however, was that the primary source of public finance—crude oil—did not grow in proportion. This imbalance laid the groundwork for systemic failure. Had crude oil revenues been invested in industrialisation, entrepreneurship, and agriculture—as the Eastern Region once did—population growth would likely have translated into large-scale economic expansion rather than deepening poverty.

Instead, the state pursued consumption over production, patronage over productivity, and short-term political appeasement over long-term development. The result is a country that has steadily hollowed itself out. After more than six decades of crude oil exploitation, citizens struggle to afford fuel, lack reliable electricity, face mass unemployment, and are unable to secure basic necessities or personal safety. Even core state functions—such as territorial defence and internal security—have weakened significantly despite over sixty-five years of independence.

What is unfolding today is the cumulative consequence of prioritising easy oil money over investing in people as creators of value and masters of their own economic destiny. The country is now markedly worse off than it was sixty years ago by many meaningful indicators. This decline is not accidental; it is the product of sustained greed, institutional decay, and deliberate policy choices that dismantled productive capacity in favour of extractive control.

History will likely judge this failure not by the absence of resources, but by the squandered opportunity to convert abundance into development.

Hence, global interventionists stand poised to partition the failed state as punishment. The zoo is far worse than it was 60 years ago. Blame greed and Igbophobia.

Despite the efforts of the government of the Eastern region to infuse sanity into the economy of the region, the northernern and western Nigeria were conveting the crude oil resources and waiting for an opportunity to hijack it to the center.

Why do you guys thrive in lying blatantly?

The reason for the ibo coup of Jan 15 was to ensure that the oil in the minority coastal provinces remains under the control of you ibos to exploit .

The minorities had secured a solid backing from federal MPs from the Northern, Western and Midwestern region to support the creation of COR region out of the IBO dominated and highly marginalising Eastern region.

Seeing the cash cow slipping away from their vice grip, Enugu plotted a coup to not only prevent the seccession of the minority people but to put a final nail to regionalism and democratic rule.

Ironsi's decree 34 denied all regions from having a civil service and concentrated power in the hands of an unelected rogue Ibo dictatorship populated by ibo politicians .

You can continue crying over Niger Delta and their oil but have it in the back of your skulls that the British created Eastern Nigeria is forever dead and buried.

DomPerignon:
Despite the efforts of the government of the Eastern region to infuse sanity into the economy of the region, the northernern and western Nigeria were conveting the crude oil resources and waiting for an opportunity to hijack it to the center.

Why do you guys thrive in lying blatantly?

The reason for the ibo coup of Jan 15 was to ensure that the oil in the minority coastal provinces remains under the control of you ibos to exploit .

The minorities had secured a solid backing from federal MPs from the Northern, Western and Midwestern region to support the creation of COR region out of the IBO dominated and highly marginalising Eastern region.

Seeing the cash cow slipping away from their vice grip, Enugu plotted a coup to not only prevent the seccession of the minority people but to put a final nail to regionalism and democratic rule.

Ironsi's decree 34 denied all regions from having a civil service and concentrated power in the hands of an unelected rogue Ibo dictatorship populated by ibo politicians .

You can continue crying over Niger Delta and their oil but have it in the back of your skulls that the British created Eastern Nigeria is forever dead and buried.

🤡🤡🤡 writing balderdash without evidence. Nzeogwu was not from the eastern region and was not even associated with the Eastern politicians.

Marginalised minorities? Lol Mr rabble rouser. Always explain how when you write you balderdash 🐷🐷 it was the Eastern region that was cheated. Crude oil didn't play any part in the defunct eastern region. It was coal revenue that was used to establish industrial and agricultural layouts including the trans-Amadi and obudu cattle ranch. Cash cow that has made you the most improverished people in the world and made your warri a deve infested city devoid of any support for sane habitation. You now cling on to Asaba as the only safe place in your place 🤡🤡🤡

Secure support of which MP? I told you you're a 🤡🤡🤡. No state was going to be created from the eastern region provided the MP of the Eastern partliament didn't approve it, if you like get support from the British parliament. All the regions supported state creation movements of other regions except their own. Hence, fear of state creation was never a factor.

🐖 🐷 🐖 How can eastern region carryout a coup to hijack resources from a region they dominate. You're a 🤡🤡🤡

You can't stand the pricking truth in my article that's why you're writing incoherently.

Crying over Niger Delta oil? When the gas reserve in Imo alone is bigger than the crude oil in niger Delta. Your warri swamp fund better life in Europe while you stay behind the keyboard defending them

Nizooria's time is up. Know this and know peace

Igbophobia is a myth. The predatory state we call Nigeria is an artifact of colonialism and the self-serving choices of its leaders over the years.

Igbophobia is a real phenomenon.

Has anyone noticed that the Region where SE indigenes are being slaughtered the most is in their very own SE ?


The SE has the worst Igbophobia or to put it better the worst Humanphobia

Igbophobia is not the reason Nigeria is a predatory state. The predatory nature of the Nigerian state is a product of the incentives created by the oil economy. Until we confront the oil economy, we will continue to have this conversation in circles.

HgAkpobomeEr:
Igbophobia is a real phenomenon.

Promoted by Tribalist, who accuse others of what they are guilty of.

Christistruth00:
Has anyone noticed that the Region where SE indigenes are being slaughtered the most is in their very own SE ?


The SE has the worst Igbophobia or to put it better the worst Humanphobia

Yes, fact.

This is a very insightful analysis. Thank you for sharing.

This article was worth my time. Thanks op.

Igbophobia? How do you even quantify that?

ebukal67x:
Igbophobia is not the reason Nigeria is a predatory state. The predatory nature of the Nigerian state is a product of the incentives created by the oil economy. Until we confront the oil economy, we will continue to have this conversation in circles.

the article is clear, intelligently written and needs no explanation. Yes! Igbophobia is the reason. Most Nigerians and their elites believe that if the crude oil continues being under the control of the Igbo dominated eastern region, Igbo hardwork culture and enterprise will take preeminence over the resource extraction, just like the way it is in the southeast today where the economy has continued to function despite humongous gas reserves.This was a threat to greedy elites as they would be served. That's why the civil war was driven by serious anti-Igbo sentiment to portray Igbos as overlords who prevented the lazy eastern minorities from achieving their dream laid-back lifestyle of merriment without hardwork. Most of them bought the propaganda because that was the utopian lifestyle they wanted. Even state creation gerrymandering was dictated by crude oil reserves. They even had to starve Igbos of access to ports thinking they were doing Igbos. Have ever seen a country that deliberately prevent itself from developing and expects to develop?

Any foreigner that spends few months in Nigeria will quickly notice that most Nigerians behave as though they are trying to prove a point against the Igbos. They suffer but are always quick to console themselves with statements like "Southeast is landlocked" "southeast is barren" "Igbos are land grabbers "
These statements result from post civil war elite propaganda hangover on greedy Nigerians.

Op is right.

Igbophobia is just a scapegoat, hiding the real issues.

ImIfeyinwaWj:
Igbophobia is a myth. The predatory state we call Nigeria is an artifact of colonialism and the self-serving choices of its leaders over the years.

Igbophobia is like Islamophobia. A projection from the aggresors

Just like you dont have Idomaphobia, Ijawphobia or any other ethnic group with a phobia suffix and you never have Hinduphobia or Amadiohaphobia or any religion with a phobia suffix.

Its meant to deceive and play victim

DomPerignon:
Despite the efforts of the government of the Eastern region to infuse sanity into the economy of the region, the northernern and western Nigeria were conveting the crude oil resources and waiting for an opportunity to hijack it to the center.

Why do you guys thrive in lying blatantly?

The reason for the ibo coup of Jan 15 was to ensure that the oil in the minority coastal provinces remains under the control of you ibos to exploit .

The minorities had secured a solid backing from federal MPs from the Northern, Western and Midwestern region to support the creation of COR region out of the IBO dominated and highly marginalising Eastern region.

Seeing the cash cow slipping away from their vice grip, Enugu plotted a coup to not only prevent the seccession of the minority people but to put a final nail to regionalism and democratic rule.

Ironsi's decree 34 denied all regions from having a civil service and concentrated power in the hands of an unelected rogue Ibo dictatorship populated by ibo politicians .

You can continue crying over Niger Delta and their oil but have it in the back of your skulls that the British created Eastern Nigeria is forever dead and buried.

You are calling people liars, and at the same time dishing out your own lies.

The coup is awolowo/yorobah coup that's what ademoyega made us to understand in his book "why we struck". IBB also said the same thing ademoyega said in his own book.

The oil you are lying about is also in SE too including gas that is in large quantity in Imo state.. So I don't know why you always lie in every Igbo related issues.

Continue with your meaningless rants.

The Igbo are not a Nigeria problem. Why not face your politicians who have failed to develop their region after 28 years of democracy

ImIfeyinwaWj:
Igbophobia is a myth. The predatory state we call Nigeria is an artifact of colonialism and the self-serving choices of its leaders over the years.

A myth?
IBB said that they chose NAIRA, because it was agreed to:
Never Allow Igbos Rule Again. NAIRA.
Think about it
Even Hitler didn't go to the extent Gowon did to officially institutionalize Igbo phobia.
The best way to attract Gowon's help and gratitude was to show high level of animosity against the Igbos.

Yet, the Igbos continue to survive despite the pharoah on their neck.

There is no way to partition the zoo. The world is watching.

All the igr and tax collected by your governors do you know where they are?





One guy in my area told me that if they go and do projects in the SE , those bad guys there will be asking for money before they execute, that is why there is plenty abandoned projects there.




Another issue is that all of them in the SE why are they sitting at home on Monday, Nnewi , Onitsha and Aba Markets are amongst the largest in the whole of West Africa but because of whatever, you guys are deceived.




See Kanu is in detention, life imprisonment. If he gets Bi.afra, all those gov, senators, local govt, chairmen, councillors, lawmakers, civil servants, pensioners and everybody in that your SE will crumble and run down because they will stop collecting salaries.





That was why B.iafra failed.








Nobody is a parasite for anybody









All the money you generate is used to develop your region or embezzled by your leaders









Don't blame anybody for your problems, you have leaders in your region ask them what have they used your money to do?












Was it people from Lagos, Kano that came to become your governors?











SE no be Lagos yes we know, leave Lagos, go back to your PAPA house and develop it!











They thief your money, they thief your money, all the monies your governors collected, what did they used them for

Toh

T9ksy:
You obviously haven't read the book , else you won't be recommending his book.

As for IBB, true to his nature was not conclusive in his book about the Jan 1966 coup.

In otherwise, you want us to believe it's "Igbo coup" when its not.

How can it be "Igbo coup" when the coupists wanted to enthrone awolowo as president?

How can it be "Igbo coup" when, no apex Igbo social cultural group/organization was consulted by the coupists before executing their mission?

ModupeoreMs:
There is no way to partition the zoo. The world is watching.

Nigeria is heading toward partition, and the forces driving it are increasingly difficult to reverse. Global geopolitics has evolved, and strategic interests have shifted accordingly. I have written about this before. The northern Muslim elite, once used by the British as a proxy to preserve Western influence in Nigeria, have increasingly adopted anti-Western and pro-Russian positions, aligning with broader Sahelian trends. At the same time, there is a sustained effort to entrench religious dominance at the center of Nigerian political power.
This realignment has transformed a former ally into a strategic liability. Western powers that previously overlooked or tacitly tolerated mass violence and systemic abuses are now demanding accountability. Actions that were once ignored are now subject to scrutiny. In international politics, the threshold for legitimising separation is often crossed when sustained mass violence meets the criteria defined under genocide and crimes against humanity. By those standards, the justification framework for separation has already been laid.

Well, it's not as if we all don't already know that it's the very same igbophobia that will be the catalyst to the eventual and well anticipated disintegration of the zoo 🤗

We Igbos cherish it our neighbours should burn the igbophobia fire hotter 🔥😁 every plot has its climax 😏

Long read but it is worth the time.

The best article I've read in years. Kudos to the writer.