I am still enjoying my Christmas in Owerri, so I don't have time for long edited article.

South West of Nigeria, though not the largest population according to official Nigerian statistics has the largest sophisticated population.

The SW through their liberal nature, access to the sea, colonial history of Lagos and former FCT status of Lagos have been able to build the largest sophistication any region in Nigeria or even West African City can currently boast of. This sophistication makes the SW the best destination for economic activities in Nigeria and the best place to invest.

The sophistication of Lagos is driving the sophistication of South West Consumer market which in turn is driving development throughout the entire region. This sophistication is a population based one. Unfortunately, population based sophistication are not sustainable if there are not adequate infrastructures to match the growing population. This negligence made Ibadan to lose its glory as the once most sophisticated city in Nigeria.

Investors launch products based on the size of the consumer market. Population size reflects the size of the consumer market. For instance, if the population of Nigeria is 190 million, then the size of our market is 190 million.

South West population is sophisticated in the sense that it has the largest mix of Nigerians and Non Nigerians living and working together; have access to the largest logistics facilities the country can boast of, all thanks to the FG and scores very high in infrastructural development according to Nigerian standard, boast of a literate population and a population with a highly developed human capital, the highest in the country.

This means that Investors will always prefer Lagos as a launch base, because any product that sells in Lagos will sell in other region.

Whether we like it or not, every single soul that enters SW will increase this sophistication. This means an increased revenue for the government, more opportunities for investors, hence more employment and then greater strain on available infrastructures, hence more debt for the government. Higher debt means lower standard of living is there is no sound debt servicing approach.

This is the reason why SW have the largest debt profile in the country, while SE, the second most sophisticated region have the lowest debt. According to Anambra State Government official record, Anambra alone attracted from 2013 an investment of over 7.2 billion USD, that is about 2.592 trillion NGN. Though official data are yet to start capturing the effects of those investment, because capital investments yield long term benefits.
https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2017/04/13/fdi-inflow-anambra-hits-7-2bn-3-years-ansippa-boss/

Anambra became a 1 Trillion economy in 2011, growing by 40%, just between 2009 and 2011. Even when the clear economic policies of Governor Peter obi are yet to take full effect.
www.thenationonlineng.net/anambra-gdp-has-grown-by-40-per-cent-says-minister/

This shows that SE sophistication is not heavily dependent on population or driven by any external driver, but a product of resilient spirit resident in the people.

Most of the investments in the SE are indigenous private investments. What the SE tend to achieve by shutting its borders is what I don't understand.
Maybe they want to retain the benefits from those investments within the region since most of them are indigenously held. But as long as they continue shutting their borders, the SW will always dominate economically, at least in the size of economic activities, since Human poverty Index of the two regions falls within common ratio, and the relative poverty within the SE is lower than of the SW, using the UN data. Meaning poverty is less spread in the East than the West.

What is even more surprising is that they achieved this status after coming out from a heavily fought war. This is pure resilience. No wonder, Enugu former capital of Biafra, the first city to fall during the war was named among top 100 most resilient cities in the world alongside Barcelona of Spain. Meaning Enugu can now provide model for other cities pursuing global resilience.

While we appreciate the sophistication of the South West, there are problems attendant with a population driven sophistication.

Loss of political sophistication tops this list. Too much influx of non indigenes into the West is leading to a gradual waning of political relevance of the Indigenes.

For instance Presidential election data in 2015 shows that the Indigenes (Yorubas) overwhelmingly favoured the election of President Buhari, while Non-indigenes overwhelmingly supported the re-election of Former President Jonathan in the South West.

At the end of the election, the 'Indigenes' voting 2433193 and 'Non-Indigenes' voting 1851416 were able to make President Buhari win the region with 581777 votes out of a possible 4284609, contributing 57% of the total votes.

With this we can safely assume that the ratio of Indigenes to Non-indigenes should lie roughly within 60:40, if adjusted for the Yorubas in the 'Non Indigenes' that voted against Buhari but without adjusting for the non Yorubas in the 'Indigenes' that voted for Buhari.

581777 victory margin for a region that boasts of the second highest population in the country, if not even the highest, amounts to political irrelevance. This is because Anambra, voting 660762 for Jonathan rendered the 581777 margin of victory SW gave to Buhari, even giving 78985 advantage to PDP.

A further look at the data shows that SW APC heavily backed by the Indigenes contributed only 15.8% of APC total votes of about 15 million, leaving the North alone to contribute 80.2%, while SE/SS the other 4%.

16% is 1/6 and this amounts to political irrelevance. According to Ambode, Lagos State Governor, about 753360 non Indigenes enter Lagos annually. If just this number enters Lagos alone, I wonder the number that enters the entire SW annually.
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/02/86-migrants-enter-lagos-every-hour-ambode/

If this trend continues, South West sophistication will one day make them the first region to elect a non Indigene as Governor. Just as they are the first region to elect a non Indigene as a Federal Member representing their Constituency.

Yoruba culture and religion are subject to external influence. This is another danger of pursuing a population driven sophistication.

For instance, South West is the only region where the two major religions are estimated to lie at 50-50, while South East have the lowest mix followed by South South.

The dominance of the two major religion in the South West will pose destructive effect on one of the most celebrated culture in West Africa. This is because no culture will strive in an environment where two opposing foreign religions hold sway. Especially for Africans perpetually plagued by low self esteems.

This is already getting longer than I anticipated. I don't know the clandestine regional objectives of the Ndi Yoruba, but as an Igbo man, fully aware of the type of politics we play here, I won't want my beautiful South East to be in the position the SW found themselves to be today.

Anyway, I am proud of the South West. We can't take it away from them. Like them or hate them. They have the most sophisticated Consumer Market in... I don't want to be arrogant by saying African, West Africa is better. But they are sacrificing too much on the altar of that sophistication.

Note: Consumer Market sophistication and political sophistication are two different things.

On personal and cultural sophistication (Measure of refinement - displaying good taste, wisdom, elegance, fashion and subtlety rather than crudeness, stupidity and vulgarity), a Yoruba man is not more sophisticated than an Igbo man and vice versa.

Tribalists please keep off.

#SouthEastFacts

I am taking this position to monitor the first Tribalist. The True enemy of our Nation.

The First Tribal WarLord Award goes to ...

A

dem don come back again. oya na let's start playing

EzeNri:
I am taking this position to monitor the first Tribalist. The True enemy of our Nation.

The First Tribal WarLord Award goes to ...

let me quote you for eventual modification when i'm done reading the epistle

The SE shutting it's borders? There's really nothing we won't hear. The SE is probably the region with the lowest external investment because due to the civil war, it was not a go-to destination. So, that is why 95% of investment in the SE are owned by locals as opposed to other regions.

Good Write-up. With Relevant References

Developments Based On Foreign-influx Isn't All Bad Provided Wealth Is Retained Within. We Have Examples Of Nations Offering Opportunities To Skilled Foreigners To Come Into Their Countries & Contribute To The Economy.

I Hope We Have More Visionary State Governors Across The Country Willing & Able To Maximise Potentials Of Their Domain

Once Again, Good Job OP

Afam4eva:
The SE shutting it's borders? There's really nothing we won't hear. The SE is probably the region with the lowest external investment because due to the civil war, it was not a go-to destination. So, that is why 95% of investment in the SE are owned by locals as opposed to other regions.

What about Japan, Germany and France? A war that was fought about 40 years ago can't discourage external investments.

Anyway, I wasn't talking about external investments, but migrants.

Eggcelent:
Good Write-up. With Relevant References

Developments Based On Foreign-influx Isn't All Bad Provided Wealth Is Retained Within. We Have Examples Of Nations Offering Opportunities To Skilled Foreigners To Come Into Their Countries & Contribute To The Economy.

I Hope We Have More Visionary State Governors Across The Country Willing & Able To Maximise Potentials Of Their Domain

Once Again, Good Job OP

You are good. Kudos.

Like I said, the only problem is there is no adequate infrastructure to match that influx. Fortunately, Lagos is not disappointing.

ever since obingo claimed ugu exports topped $5M, I've always checked outside to confirm the position of the sun whenever he and his blodas greet me good afternoon. Who else besides obingo and his experts from the Ipob bureau of statistics certified the below?

This is the reason why SW have the largest debt profile in the country, while SE, the second most sophisticated region have the lowest debt. According to Anambra State Government official record, Anambra alone attracted from 2013 an investment of over 7.2 billion USD, that is about 2.592 trillion NGN. Though official data are yet to start capturing the effects of those investment, because capital investments yield long term benefits.

Should i believe this from the same anambra that has refused to render IGR accounts for almost 2 years running? The only state in the federation still withholding this info? Even Chidoka and Obazee rubbished all his lies at the Anambra election debate and he couldn't set the records straight because there isn't any record!!

TheHistorian:

Thank you for raising our consciousness.

SouthWesterners. . .Have you seen what your meekness has driven this descendant of untraceable origin to spew on this blissful Sunday?

You have called for hostility. . .and you shall find.

This is the right time to trade hate for hate,You see how these fools are taking advantage of our sense of accommodation for migrants. . .It is high time the Northern treatment is meted on these ungrateful lots.Show them no mercy,whenever they err one of you in your homeland/town. . .strangle them till death.

Yorubas!. . You have the advantage of being the host,no one will dare testify against you.

Look at this fool daring that Yoruba hardly boasts of 70% of her total population.

Oh he said that? Ive not read the write up and only picked a portion that caught my attention. The Akure treatment will be the norm very soon.

EzeNri:

What about Japan, Germany and France? A war that was fought about 40 years ago can't discourage external investments.

Anyway, I wasn't talking about external investments, but migrants.

Investments and migrants work hand in hand.

The SW has a major advantage with Lagos being the former capital...with major seaports, international airports, office of major local and multinational corporations, banks, Insurance, hotels, embassies, etc...If SE were to be a country of its own with all these assets...investments and migration would have also taken place there, at a higher scale...

shukuokukobambi:
ever since obingo claimed ugu exports topped $5M, I've always checked outside to confirm the position of the sun whenever he and his blodas greet me good afternoon. Who else besides obingo and his experts from the Ipob bureau of statistics certified the below?

This is the reason why SW have the largest debt profile in the country, while SE, the second most sophisticated region have the lowest debt. According to Anambra State Government official record, Anambra alone attracted from 2013 an investment of over 7.2 billion USD, that is about 2.592 trillion NGN. Though official data are yet to start capturing the effects of those investment, because capital investments yield long term benefits.

Should i believe this from the same anambra that has refused to render IGR accounts for almost 2 years running? The only state in the federation still withholding this info? Even Chidoka and Obazee rubbished all his lies at the Anambra election debate and he couldn't set the records straight because there isn't any record!!

It seems you are jealous. Check Anambra GDP and find out if that figure is reflected there from 2011.

Compare Anambra GDP of Pre-2011 and Post-2011.

So finally, you are the first Tribal Warlord here.

Please, all true Ndi Igbo should ignore all tribal rants here. Today is Cross Over Night, and we shouldn't carry this over or mar the night with that.

Chukwu Gozie unu.

shukuokukobambi:


Oh he said that? Ive not read the write up and only picked a portion that caught my attention. The Akure treatment will be the norm very soon.

Just imagine the temerity!

Left to me and myself alone. . .these descendants of Osu will have no place here in SW.

Alariiwo. . . .Your brothers have started.

TheHistorian:

Just imagine the temerity!

Left to me and myself alone. . .these descendants of Osu will have no place here in SW.

Alariiwo. . . .Your brothers have started.

Why not ensure they have no place in one Nigeria....funny coward..

EzeNri:

It seems you are jealous. Check Anambra GDP and find out if that figure is reflected there from 2011.

Compare Anambra GDP of Pre-2011 and Post-2011.

So finally, you are the first Tribal Warlord here.

Please, all true Ndi Igbo should ignore all tribal rants here. Today is Cross Over Night, and we shouldn't carry this over or mar the night with that.

Chukwu Gozie unu.

There are no records to be jealous of my dear. what is anambra IGR figure for 2016?

i've not gone tribal yet. i'm waiting for you to take a wrong step first

TheHistorian:

Thank you for raising our consciousness.

SouthWesterners. . .Have you seen what your meekness has driven this descendant of untraceable origin to spew on this blissful Sunday?

You have called for hostility. . .and you shall find.

This is the right time to trade hate for hate,You see how these fools are taking advantage of our sense of accommodation for migrants. . .It is high time the Northern treatment is meted on these ungrateful lots.Show them no mercy,whenever they err one of you in your homeland/town. . .strangle them till death.

Yorubas!. . You have the advantage of being the host,no one will dare testify against you.

Look at this fool daring that Yoruba hardly boasts of 70% of her total population.

That estimation was made using 2015 Presidential election.

You are calling for a genocide. An International offence. I am archiving this for future use.

Nobody can threaten Ndi Igbo and go scot free. Nigeria belongs to us all.

TheHistorian:

Just imagine the temerity!

Left to me and myself alone. . .these descendants of Osu will have no place here in SW.

Alariiwo. . . .Your brothers have started.

They're simply preparing a rod for their backs. people who always talk themselves into avoidable problems. they will see what they're looking for

EzeNri:

What about Japan, Germany and France? A war that was fought about 40 years ago can't discourage external investments.

Anyway, I wasn't talking about external investments, but migrants.

It's the same thing. Migrants come with investments. if you take a look at the cities in Nigeria where there are external investments, you'll realize that it's because of the cosmopolitan nature of the city. There's really nothing that will make one leave Lagos and say he's going to invest in Enugu except the person is from Enugu.

Personally, I prefer local investors to foreign investors. Local investors tend to be very loyal and won't leave the country during times of economic hardship.

Also, local investors make the money that the make circulate in the local economy while foreign investors, after paying taxes, transfers the rest to their home country or offshore accounts.

Cooly100:


Why not ensure they have no place in one Nigeria....funny coward..

The blood of your kinsmen was used in sealing the unity of this country.

Why will I want you out of the conjugation?

Shior.

shukuokukobambi:


They're simply preparing a rod for their backs. people who always talk themselves into avoidable problems. they will see what they're looking for

They are not preparing anything. You should rather show appreciation for their contribution to your growth...otherwise...can you explain why Porto Novo is not well developed like the SW, despite their having the same environment like you, like a seaport, airport, bla,bla...? Remember they are your cousins....

TheHistorian:

The blood of your kinsmen was used in sealing the unity of this country.

Why will I want you out of the conjugation?

Shior.

The same unity you guys cry about when they are buying your ancestral lands and win political positions in your land.

Cooly100:


They are not preparing anything. You should rather show appreciation for their contribution to your growth...otherwise...can you explain why Porto Novo is not well developed like the SW, despite their having the same environment like you, like a seaport, airport, bla,bla...? Remember they are your cousins....

This is one question non of them has ever answered.

TheHistorian:

The blood of your kinsmen was used in sealing the unity of this country.

Why will I want you out of the conjugation?

Shior.

...but you want them out of conjugation with SW...which is part of this country...sealed by the blood of their kinsmen..

Can you check yourself, to prove you are mentally stable...?

horsepower101:
Personally, I prefer local investors to foreign investors. Local investors tend to be very loyal and won't leave the country during times of economic hardship.

Also, local investors make the money that the make circulate in the local economy while foreign investors, after paying taxes, transfers the rest to their home country or offshore accounts.

That is why I said population driven sophistication are not that sustainable. This is because you need to continual maintain confidence within the system for foreigners to continue to stay.

Cooly100:


...but you want them out of conjugation with SW...which is part of this country...sealed by the blood of their kinsmen..

Can you check yourself, to prove you are mentally stable...?

Lol Yoruba and mental stability in one line.

They don't want Biafra but they also don't want one Nigeria. Pure madness

Cooly100:


They are not preparing anything. You should rather show appreciation for their contribution to your growth...otherwise...can you explain why Porto Novo is not well developed like the SW, despite their having the same environment like you, like a seaport, airport, bla,bla...? Remember they are your cousins....

How many people go to Porto Novo to shout no man's land despite the number of foreigners there?

shukuokukobambi:


How many people go to Porto Novo to shout no man's land despite the number of foreigners there?

How do you guys pass your exams?

Is this the reason, SW is richer than Port Novo?

shukuokukobambi:


How many people go to Porto Novo to shout no man's land despite the number of foreigners there?

Stop trying to divert attention. Answer the reason why Porto novo is not developing like Lagos even though it has everything Lagos has.

horsepower101:


Lol Yoruba and mental stability in one line.

They don't want Biafra but they also don't want one Nigeria. Pure madness

ibo and cognitive dissonance on display

Your one nigeria doesn't extend to kano? how many times do you trash talk in kano?

You don't want nigeria but you want indigenship in lagos. undiluted Madness indeed