From 419 scammers to corrupt politicians and businessmen, corruption has arguably become an acceptable way of life in Nigeria. Indeed, corruption is so pervasive that the economy revolves around it. In other words, if Nigeria's culture of corruption were totally eradicated today, the economy might instantly implode, causing even more unemployment and national suffering than the country currently endures. And then we have the steadily growing wealth and income gaps in Nigeria - among the worst in the world - which the culture of corruption exacerbates. Worse yet, this corrupt environment is typical of many if not most African countries: If an African country isn't plagued by war and ethnic conflict, then it will necessarily be plagued by greedy politicians and corrupt political systems, not to mention backwards economics policies that keep economies from growing and standards of living from rising. Is it really a surprise, then, that foreign investors hate investing in Africa? When will Africans wake up and realize that we need to get rid of these corrupt, greedy, incompetent "leaders" so that OUR continent can finally get the international respect it deserves? And Nigeria, perhaps one of the most prominent African nations, should lead the charge. Sadly, I doubt anything will change in the near or far future, and thus, Nigeria and the rest of Africa will continue to suffer. America is a pathetic nation full of its own incompetent idiots, but I'm glad I don't live in Africa. I give up.

Have you been to Nigeria before?

Chauncey,

Let's get it straight, son. You are a large part of Africa's problem.

Sitting in America eating Candy bars, driving your car and drinking your coffee. That chocolate candy bar came from Cocao beans grown in Africa. Those tires on your car came from Rubber trees grown in Africa. Africa actually imports more coffee to America than Columbia, despite the myths. And what about that gas in your car, come from Nigeria? The world's 5th largest oil producer?

Why don't you write a nice letter to Hersheys in Pennsylvania and Firestone tires and Maxwell? coffee and tell them to start bringing Africans into the equation in a fair and equitable way?

Tell them how you would be willing to pay more than 50cents for your candy bars if it means that Africans would get prices for their raw products that would allow them to live in a decent manner?

Tell them how you would be willing to pay more than 50cents for your cup of coffee, if Maxwell? coffee would open a coffee processing plant in Africa.

Africa is doing bad, so you can live good.

Think about what you're saying. You're blaming American companies for Nigeria's problems. American companies have no incentive to help Africans. (The only incentive is money, by the way.) Why not blame African producers for allowing their citizens to be taken advantage of like this? Who has the power here: Africans or Americans? Do Americans control Nigerian production of chocolate and oil? Or do Africans control it? If Africans control it, THEN WHY ARE YOU NOT BLAMING AFRICANS? This blame-America-for-everything victimization argument has NEVER helped Africa, and it never will. Yet, young activists continue to rely on it. Why? In America, companies are required, by law and by the market, to pay their workers a fair wage. In Africa, there are no laws against paying workers dirt wages, and the culture of corruption is so embedded in the private and public sectors that slave wages are deemed a "necessary consequence" of "progress." But, as America demonstrates, you can pay workers a decent wage and still be a global economic superpower. But how? Well, for starters, you give citizens a voice and a presence in management affairs. This can be accomplished partly through unions. Second, you stop relying on international handouts and international demand to sustain your economy. Third, you spend more money EDUCATING people, because knowledge products (computer products, other technologies) are much more lucrative than agriculture and cocao production. Indeed, the value of African exports (agriculture + minerals) has steadily declined for the last several decades. This should have been a wake up call to Africans a long, long time ago. Fourth, you get rid of the corruption by increasing accountability and transparency in politics and business. Fifth, stop killing each other.

Obviously, all of these things lead to massive productivity gains that are so crucial to the long term viability of any economy.

Now, ask yourself which course of action would be more productive: Trying to implement the (rather obvious) solutions mentioned above, or blaming America and the West for Africa's problems? Oh, wait. I guess we should blame Hershey's and hope all of Africa's internal problems magically disappear.

@ Chauncey

Please could you tell where your from and in what country you reside in. I need that to answer your question.

It doesn't matter where I'm from or where I live. I live in America, and I'm from Africa. Why would you want to focus on such irrelevant details?

just wanted to know what to bother answering.

There's corruption in institutions because majority of the leaders are corrupt and ofcourse they dont care. If they dont care there is not much that can be done. I am sure there are still people that are not corrupt. Hey but what much can be done when corruption (either big or small) is seen as normal.

Chauncey,

Americans definitely have the power in Africa.

Unless you got another reason that President Bush demanded that Charles Taylor leave Liberia?

And Charles Taylor got up and left.

Was that just a miracle of the butcher of Liberia wanting to suddenly go, even though he had murdered thousands trying to cling to power for over a decade?

Or had he just served his purpose and had to go and listened obediently to his handlers?

Just like Saddam of Iraq, Noriega of Panama, Marcos of the phillipines and the many other dictators we support but when they serve their purpose we get rid of them and bring in the new dictator we have selected.

When you can explain rationally why America has troops in 2/3rds of all the world's countries, then come back and ask silly questions like why do I have anything to do with those people over there? Besides enjoying all their products cheaply!

Hint: World Empire.

Well, ultimately, the only solution to Nigeria's corruption problem is an uprising from citizens. Don't expect America to care if Nigerians don't even care. America has oil interests in Nigeria, so a massive movement in the nation will be noticed by US-based political and business figures. Short of a wide-scale uprising, you could organize yourselves into effective political groups or something. Don't be scared. In any event, like I said before: I give up. Nigeria is a wasteland of corruption and bad policies; and it seems like nothing will save it. Also, if your conspiracy theories have any merit to them, then this entire discussion is futile.

No offense to my Nigerian brothers and sisters, of course. Nigeria has beautiful scenery.

@Chauncey,
Do not consider Drusilla's comments as the ideaology of most Nigerians. Her conspiracy theories exist only in her head.

Not every institution in Nigeria is corrupt. Not every Nigerian is a criminal. Keep in mind that you will mostly see the bad side of Nigerians on the media in the US.

Dats a flawed conclusion in every ramification. Nigeria like every other country has its own fair share of criminals but to generalise d fact is very unfortunate. Nigeria has credible and laudible ppl within n outside its shore if u doubt dat den i will advise u to seat back n watch.
as for d corruption tag,yes dere is corruption which is well broadcasted by d foreign media but solving dis ailment will arise when leaders dat seek power for the good of mankind arise rather dan for self enrichment. In africa it is said dat d fish starts getting rotten frm d head so to rectify de corruption anomaly it must start frm credible leadership

The reason corruption is so high in Nigeria is because the country was not founded on fairness, or any other well-meaning principle. The British discovered oil in the southern region at a point when they had already made the decision to give sovereignty to all African nations. At which point, they couldn't back out of it. So, they did the next best thing by puting over 70 percent of the armed forces in the Northern regions. The western region (Yorubas) Got 10 percent of the armed forces, most of them were clerical and medical staff. The East got 15 percent and that was the only reason that they, unlike the Yorubas were able to lunch a civil war. With such a bastardized system, Nigeria from the start was designed to be a failure. And to think here we are with this pathetic broken nation and yet we are a part of the common wealth and united nations. The British can take their fuckin Common-Wealth and their bastard royal family and shove it. They should also keep their damn ever-lasting spoil of war from World War 2 (United nations) and go to hell.

Nigeria needs a revolution that would claim the live of the nation and give rise to sovereign States. Its too late to save it.

Omg

and there is a thread asking why Nigerians are so backwards. , ppl keep up withthe ostrich mentality, dig that head deeper in the sand , keep fooling yourselves.

That country is well and truely fuked up and its not because of just bad leaders, it's most Nigerians that make it so. And no, stop blaming foriegn governments, stop they moving on , you still playing the blame game(have mercy, sighs)

we were thought by our teachers and politicians to be this way

It's in our genes. Just like AIDs, it has no cure until we self destruct or engage in a civil war!!!

focus on change. if you keep your head stuck in the past, naira wont grow. but one thing is for sure, naira has much potential so keep hating on it because one day it is going to take off and you want to be on that train boy! as far as corruption, you have no law and order to speak of. until you get some leadership who seizes ill-gotten gains, and it is quite easy to do today, naira will probably just continue to chug along. hopefully your next president will lock up and throw away the key on all the 419ers and corrupt politicans. i know you will have to build many prisons for that but it can be done and its time. the leader who does this will become a rich man and so will his people.

is that you SBU ?

can you please >>https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-35.0.html

u must have been reading some new stuff

You are right surmising that Nigeria is corrupt, Chauncey. But you must know how corrupt. For one, I know Nigeria is not intrinsically corrupt as you would make it out to be. Not every Nigerian is corrupt, not every institution is ingrained in corruption. You cannot just sit there in the States and judge the nation based on what was the norm some years back. You seem not to know that things are gradually changing here. You cannot think the corruption of more than four decades would be stamped out in just eight years. And, Chauncey, try to look on the brighter side of the nation. From this discourse of mine, you can well tell I have done everything to respond to this thread in the most civil of manners. I could be more acid than anyone you have ever known, when it touches on what I really believe in and hold so dear.

Very sad!You gave up on Nigeria because of the massive problems that comes with ongoing development of a nation? Mind you, as much as i hate the corruption norms of my motherland, i will never give up on her.It is very easy to live in a foreign nation,cast a stone of anger at your own mother land and tell them what they should do and not do.Let me advice you that America, where you and i reside was not built in a decade or decades-building of a nation is an ongoing process.And you must also remember that earlier citizens of America didn't give up on their own motherland,that is why you and i can reside here today and enjoy the fruits of their labors.
Instead of turning your back,see what you can do to help in the field of education,health,social,economical and even technological arenas.Your single advice might be the magic bullet that can save a nation!Remember, there is no place like home!!!!

Hardship, bad governance


And those who've been doing it have been walking free