₦airaland Forum

Abeg I dey ask because I no understand. Nigeria get oil and resources, but citizens no dey see any real benefit. Other African countries dey support their people, but for Naija na suffer we dey see everywhere.
Why e be like this?

The problem is not that Nigeria does not have money, but how the money is managed. Corruption and weak institutions have made it hard for citizens to feel any real benefits.

Another question we should ask is whether Nigerians are ready to pay higher taxes if we truly want government benefits. These things are not free anywhere.

Protests should not be about tribe or religion, but about accountability and strong institutions. Are we ready to be selfless and stop putting big men and powerful groups ahead of the poor and middle class? These things matter too.

We should also not just envy or copy what works in other countries, but also copy how those systems are built and sustained over time.

Evilthoughts:
Abeg I dey ask because I no understand. Nigeria get oil and resources, but citizens no dey see any real benefit. Other African countries dey support their people, but for Naija na suffer we dey see everywhere.
Why e be like this?

The sole reason is corruption and lack of patriotism from Nigerians and their leaders.

In a society where each politician stole billions in Naira and Dollar, you should not expect any meaningful development. The money stole and spent irrationally by politicians and government is more than enough for free education upto university level and free medical care for all citizens.

Trillions of naira being embezzled at NNPC alone each year can foot a bill for social security for all unemployed citizens during the same year. Nigeria is hopelessly need help, and the unfortunate part of the mess is the fact that we masses are not different to them when giving the chance to rule.

Ihaveleftnaija:
The problem is not that Nigeria does not have money, but how the money is managed. Corruption and weak institutions have made it hard for citizens to feel any real benefits.

Another question we should ask is whether Nigerians are ready to pay higher taxes if we truly want government benefits. These things are not free anywhere.

Protests should not be about tribe or religion, but about accountability and strong institutions. Are we ready to be selfless and stop putting big men and powerful groups ahead of the poor and middle class? These things matter too.

We should also not just envy or copy what works in other countries, but also copy how those systems are built and sustained over time.

Don't be deceive by the insinuation that we need to pay more tax to get benefits from the government, I can bet it with anything that even if you pay 80% of your income to these set of leaders/politicians, you can never see its impact in the society. More money or tax means more money to waste by the government.

yemmit90:
Don't be deceive by the insinuation that we need to pay more tax to get benefits from the government, I can bet it with anything that even if you pay 80% of your income to these set of leaders/politicians, you can never see its impact in the society. More money or tax means more money to waste by the government.

I get the frustration—throwing more money at the government won’t magically solve Nigeria’s problems if institutions are weak and corruption is rampant. But the real issue isn’t the amount of taxes; it’s whether we have systems that actually work. Countries that provide reliable services don’t just collect money—they build accountability, transparency, and trust over time.

The harder question is for us as citizens: are we ready to act like taxpayers who demand services and accountability, or will we continue to defend our tribesmen, political godfathers, and ‘big men’ even when they fail us? Real progress won’t come until we choose institutions over personalities and the public good over ethnic or personal loyalty.

yemmit90:
The sole reason is corruption and lack of patriotism from Nigerians and their leaders.

In a society where each politician stole billions in Naira and Dollar, you should not expect any meaningful development. The money stole and spent irrationally by politicians and government is more than enough for free education upto university level and free medical care for all citizens.

Trillions of naira being embezzled at NNPC alone each year can foot a bill for social security for all unemployed citizens during the same year. Nigeria is hopelessly need help, and the unfortunate part of the mess is the fact that we masses are not different to them when giving the chance to rule.

True, corruption and mismanagement are a huge part of the problem, and yes, the money stolen could transform our schools, hospitals, and social security overnight. But let’s be honest — the issue isn’t only with the leaders. We, as citizens, also play a role.

Even in countries where citizens enjoy better services, corruption exists among politicians. The difference is how citizens respond. They demand accountability, protest when leaders steal or fail, monitor budgets, vote wisely, and refuse to accept excuses. Accountability becomes a lifestyle, not just a complaint on social media.

So my question to us as Nigerians is: Are we ready to do the hard work to hold power accountable? Are we ready to refuse bribes, demand transparency, and stay persistent even when the system resists? Until we match our leaders’ audacity for self-interest with our own audacity for civic responsibility, the cycle of suffering will continue.

The leaders may steal, but if we never rise to demand better, nothing changes. It’s not hopeless — it’s a challenge, and it starts with us.

SpecialAdviser:
Because its a zoo. An animal kingdom where the strong feeds on the weak

So you're a wild animal ?

Ihaveleftnaija:
So you're a wild animal ?

All of us are the animals but some animals are wiser than the other. Some of the animals are eternally f.uulish. Which one are you?

SpecialAdviser:
All of us are the animals but some animals are wiser than the other. Some of the animals are eternally f.uulish. Which one are you?

Ok ,wild animal 👏

You should have just stopped at the first paragraph. Tax even the dead, and that is where it will go.

Ihaveleftnaija:
[/b]The problem is not that Nigeria does not have money, but how the money is managed. Corruption and weak institutions have made it hard for citizens to feel any real benefits.[b]

Another question we should ask is whether Nigerians are ready to pay higher taxes if we truly want government benefits. These things are not free anywhere.

Protests should not be about tribe or religion, but about accountability and strong institutions. Are we ready to be selfless and stop putting big men and powerful groups ahead of the poor and middle class? These things matter too.

We should also not just envy or copy what works in other countries, but also copy how those systems are built and sustained over time.

McLizbae:
You should have just stopped at the first paragraph. Tax even the dead, and that is where it will go.

You do know that the countries we wish Nigeria to be like pay heavy taxes to maintain their systems ?

Evilthoughts:
Abeg I dey ask because I no understand. Nigeria get oil and resources, but citizens no dey see any real benefit. Other African countries dey support their people, but for Naija na suffer we dey see everywhere.
Why e be like this?

.
Benefit is what is killing U.K. Ask your friends and family in U.K. The citizens there refuse to work because government keeps giving them free money. Even the Bible says that a Lazy man should not eat

Yes. But you must also agree with me that God bless some countries with so much wealth of nature, that they do not need to tax their citizens to remain prosperous. Nigerians just like citizens of many other OPEC countries could have prosper economically without paying heavy taxes and even with subsidies.

Putting all that aside, and going back to my main point: put all the heavy tax in "the corrupt and weak institutions" and your may even get a worse nation that we have now.

Ihaveleftnaija:
You do know that the countries we wish Nigeria to be like pay heavy taxes to maintain their systems ?

Putting more money into systems like the one in the current Nigeria, is like putting more water in a licking bag. The lick will only get wider.

Ihaveleftnaija:
You do know that the countries we wish Nigeria to be like pay heavy taxes to maintain their systems ?

McLizbae:
Putting more money into systems like the one in the current Nigeria, is like putting more water in a licking bag. The lick will only get wider.

True, a leaking bag is useless. But the solution isn’t to stop carrying water forever—it’s to repair the bag.

Strong systems are built, not avoided.

McLizbae:
Yes. But you must also agree with me that God bless some countries with so much wealth of nature, that they do not need to tax their citizens to remain prosperous. Nigerians just like citizens of many other OPEC countries could have prosper economically without paying heavy taxes and even with subsidies.

Putting all that aside, and going back to my main point: put all the heavy tax in "the corrupt and weak institutions" and your may even get a worse nation that we have now.

We’re not actually disagreeing.

Oil wealth can replace taxes only when institutions are strong. Without that, resource wealth becomes a curse. Heavy taxes without reform are bad—but zero reform without institutions is worse.

I

Ihaveleftnaija:
I get the frustration—throwing more money at the government won’t magically solve Nigeria’s problems if institutions are weak and corruption is rampant. But the real issue isn’t the amount of taxes; it’s whether we have systems that actually work. Countries that provide reliable services don’t just collect money—they build accountability, transparency, and trust over time.

The harder question is for us as citizens: are we ready to act like taxpayers who demand services and accountability, or will we continue to defend our tribesmen, political godfathers, and ‘big men’ even when they fail us? Real progress won’t come until we choose institutions over personalities and the public good over ethnic or personal loyalty.

You still don't get the points, institutions don't create itself, it is the people that decide to make the institutions works. If those in position of authority are not ready to make the institutions work, you can only rant from now till eternity and nothing would change.

Nigeria and other developing black Africans has only one hindrance to be free from corruption and underdevelopment.

Until Africans focus entirely on the physiological needs of their citizens, we will remain at the bottom of the ladder in the world till the rest of time. This is the fundamental causes of corruption, and until we are able to remove reasons to steal, all of us including me and you will steal if giving opportunity, because I will first think about my future and that of my generation in a society where no one will care about you.

1. Food should be the cheapest thing a man should worry about. It should be made in such a way that even those in abject poverty can comfortably eat all round nutritious foods.

2. Children under the age of 18 must be 100% taking care of by the government.

3. Elderly persons who are over 65yrs should be the responsibility of the government 100%.

4. Social security must be a must by paying stipend to unemployed people until they find jobs.

5. The lowest entry onto business world should be "limited liability" arrangements. Sole business apart from petty or mid range trading should be abolish. Nigerians must be made to do big business by partnership or buying of companies shares.

6. Erection of structure or purchasing of land by individual should be totally forbidden. Government in collaboration with private investors should be in charge of housing. You can only buy or take a mortgage.

The reality is that, if I know that government will take care of me when i get old, if I know that if I have approve number of children, government will take care of them or if I know that whenever I lost my job or source of income, I will still get assistance from government, likewise if I know that I can't be allow to buy properties with stole money, I will think twice before I steal public fund.

Ok, tell me what Malami and others used their stole money to do, is it not properties?

simpleseyi:
.
Benefit is what is killing U.K. Ask your friends and family in U.K. The citizens there refuse to work because government keeps giving them free money. Even the Bible says that a Lazy man should not eat

The UK issue is like a rich man who hire a domestic staffs and not allow his children to do anything. If there is work for them, and there is no one to do it except them, I don't think they will reduce to do it since government can only pay them if they were unable to secure a job.

So, the blame still go to the government and not their lazy citizens.

Ihaveleftnaija:
True, corruption and mismanagement are a huge part of the problem, and yes, the money stolen could transform our schools, hospitals, and social security overnight. But let’s be honest — the issue isn’t only with the leaders. We, as citizens, also play a role.

Even in countries where citizens enjoy better services, corruption exists among politicians. The difference is how citizens respond. They demand accountability, protest when leaders steal or fail, monitor budgets, vote wisely, and refuse to accept excuses. Accountability becomes a lifestyle, not just a complaint on social media.

So my question to us as Nigerians is: Are we ready to do the hard work to hold power accountable? Are we ready to refuse bribes, demand transparency, and stay persistent even when the system resists? Until we match our leaders’ audacity for self-interest with our own audacity for civic responsibility, the cycle of suffering will continue.

The leaders may steal, but if we never rise to demand better, nothing changes. It’s not hopeless — it’s a challenge, and it starts with us.

Let me just sum up everything, you can't give what you don't have. The masses are equally corrupt the different between our leaders and rest of us is opportunities. It is what I have see all over the place I have been to. Every single Nigerian only care about opportunity and not accountability.

As for developed countries you mentioned there were corruption too, I can categorically tell you it is not the same like ours. They can be currupt to manipulate the system but not outrightly stealing of commonwealth that will halt development of their countries. If they were that corrupt as you said, they won't be called developed world today.

To free Nigeria from corruption is not a decade job, it is what must be start now from lowest and middle class who are the majority. Once reason to steal are remove from them, we will begin to have leaders whose minds have been configured not to have interest in stealing.

yemmit90:
I

You still don't get the points, institutions don't create itself, it is the people that decide to make the institutions works. If those in position of authority are not ready to make the institutions work, you can only rant from now till eternity and nothing would change.

Nigeria and other developing black Africans has only one hindrance to be free from corruption and underdevelopment.

Until Africans focus entirely on the physiological needs of their citizens, we will remain at the bottom of the ladder in the world till the rest of time. This is the fundamental causes of corruption, and until we are able to remove reasons to steal, all of us including me and you will steal if giving opportunity, because I will first think about my future and that of my generation in a society where no one will care about you.

1. Food should be the cheapest thing a man should worry about. It should be made in such a way that even those in abject poverty can comfortably eat all round nutritious foods.

2. Children under the age of 18 must be 100% taking care of by the government.

3. Elderly persons who are over 65yrs should be the responsibility of the government 100%.

4. Social security must be a must by paying stipend to unemployed people until they find jobs.

5. The lowest entry onto business world should be "limited liability" arrangements. Sole business apart from petty or mid range trading should be abolish. Nigerians must be made to do big business by partnership or buying of companies shares.

6. Erection of structure or purchasing of land by individual should be totally forbidden. Government in collaboration with private investors should be in charge of housing. You can only buy or take a mortgage.

The reality is that, if I know that government will take care of me when i get old, if I know that if I have approve number of children, government will take care of them or if I know that whenever I lost my job or source of income, I will still get assistance from government, likewise if I know that I can't be allow to buy properties with stole money, I will think twice before I steal public fund.

Ok, tell me what Malami and others used their stole money to do, is it not properties?

People often think strong institutions and social welfare can’t coexist in Africa — but that’s false. Many countries built their systems after independence or democratic transitions, proving it’s possible.

🇿🇦 South Africa: Post-1994 democracy, the focus was on building key institutions first — the Constitutional Court, the Independent Electoral Commission, and SASSA to administer social grants to children, the elderly, and vulnerable adults. Citizens hold leaders accountable: could Ramaphosa dare vacation abroad or seek medical care elsewhere without huge protests? Not likely.
🇧🇼 Botswana: Post-independence, diamonds were turned into education, healthcare, and infrastructure through accountable, merit-based institutions.
🇲🇺 Mauritius: Post-independence, democratic governance created stable systems delivering public services efficiently.
🇬🇭 Ghana: Post-1992 democratic constitution, built electoral commissions, judicial independence, and public institutions citizens can appeal to.

The lesson: citizens must demand accountability and force governments to work, while leaders respect institutions. Nigeria’s diversity and unity challenges make this harder, yes — but if other Black African countries have done it, it means it’s absolutely doable here too.

yemmit90:
Let me just sum up everything, you can't give what you don't have. The masses are equally corrupt the different between our leaders and rest of us is opportunities. It is what I have see all over the place I have been to. Every single Nigerian only care about opportunity and not accountability.

As for developed countries you mentioned there were corruption too, I can categorically tell you it is not the same like ours. They can be currupt to manipulate the system but not outrightly stealing of commonwealth that will halt development of their countries. If they were that corrupt as you said, they won't be called developed world today.

To free Nigeria from corruption is not a decade job, it is what must be start now from lowest and middle class who are the majority. Once reason to steal are remove from them, we will begin to have leaders whose minds have been configured not to have interest in stealing.

You raise a very important point — opportunity often drives behavior. I agree that many ordinary citizens might act out of self-interest when the system makes it easy or necessary to do so. Poverty, lack of enforcement, and weak institutions create incentives for cutting corners or taking bribes. That’s real.

But I also think we can’t let that observation become an excuse. Just because the system nudges people toward corruption doesn’t mean it’s inevitable. There are countless examples of individuals and communities in Nigeria and elsewhere who refuse to compromise their integrity, even under pressure. It’s hard, but it’s possible — and that’s what creates a tipping point for change.

I also see your point about the difference between corruption in developed countries and ours. You’re right: in most developed countries, corruption doesn’t paralyze public services or steal national wealth on the scale we experience. But part of why it doesn’t happen there is because citizens, institutions, and the law actively check abuse. The difference isn’t that people there are morally superior — it’s that accountability is embedded in society.

So maybe the real challenge is twofold: removing the reasons ordinary citizens feel they must compromise, and building a culture of accountability that forces leaders to act in the public interest. Both have to happen together. And yes, it’s a long-term effort, but it has to start now, as you said.

The question I’d leave us with is: How do we make refusing corruption, demanding transparency, and holding leaders accountable normal behavior for ordinary Nigerians, not just an ideal? That’s the practical challenge we face today.