Continued from yesterday

Nigeria’s perception of itself and others’ perception of the country

IT IS stating the obvious that Nigeria is abundantly blessed in terms of both human and material resources. Regrettably, the country has hitherto been unable to actualize its tremendous potential on account of bad, irresponsible and unaccountable leadership and on account of the fact that Nigeria has been suffering from what Claude Ake had described as a “disarticulate economy,” that is to say, an economy that produces what it does not consume and consumes what it does not produce.

Yet, the optimism of its people is very high so much so that not only do they believe that the country is “the Giant of Africa,” they also argue that Nigeria has been ordained by providence to lead Africa and the entire black race. In fact, when a few years ago, Nigerians were adjudged among the happiest of people in the world, not many disagreed with that proclamation since, in the face of all challenges, they usually respond, “E go better!”

A country which has found it almost impossible to guarantee 24 hours electricity supply at any part of the country, enduring insufferable poverty in the face of incredible wealth, high levels of unemployment, unbelievable scourge of disease and squalor, mass ignorance, with among the highest infant mortality and maternal morbidity rates in the world, widespread corruption, general homelessness, coupled with stagflation, armed robbery, rape, vandalisation of public infrastructure, religious strife, kidnapping and terrorism, it is really a miracle that Nigeria is still standing. The half-hearted and belated emergency proclamation by the President a few days ago on the North-East of the country would seem to have finally put a seal on the precarious state of affairs in the country.

To many, in the country, the votes are not yet in on whether the country had indeed become a failed or failing State. However, Nigeria, like a cat with nine lives, has always managed to wriggle out of unpleasant circumstances. Crises that would have worsted other nations only bruise the country since Its leaders, being celebrated compromise-makers, can be trusted upon to drive the country to the edge only to draw back from the ravine at the last minute and engineer a modus vivendi that would endure until the next crisis. Thus, the rumour of the country’s imminent demise, like Mark Twain’s death could well have been slightly exaggerated.

This, perhaps, explains the doggedness of votaries of the Nigerian project who have continued, in the face of all odds, to pursue laurels such as both rotational and permanent seats on the UN Security Council as well as other high profile positions at international institutions. However, undoubtedly, the success (or failure) of such endeavours would necessarily depend on the perceptions of the rest of the world about the “ugly Nigerian.”

Now, the image of Nigeria as a country of brash, loud-mouthed, arrogant, corrupt, criminally-minded individuals has stuck in the memory of the international community. When to that is added credit card fraud, drug and human trafficking and all manner of shenanigans, with the addition “419” to the lexicon of the world, it becomes clear why Nigerians have become people that others love to hate. Indeed it was not too long ago that Gen. Colin Powell described us as “marvelous scammers,” to the chagrin of his numerous fans here. That this negative characterization has endured for so long should not come as a surprise to anyone who is well aware of the truism that an opinion once formed becomes very difficult to reverse.

Some consequences of Nigeria’s battered image abroad

Admittedly, there is an element of jealousy or envy in the love-hate relationship between Nigeria and other countries but what we, Nigerians contribute to the whole issue is not infinitesimal. The braggadocio of some of our people coupled with dare-devilry and boastfulness has not endeared them to some of their hosts abroad. In fact, things had gotten so bad that the green passport has tended to trigger alarm bells at foreign immigration desks. The number of Nigerians languishing in foreign jails keeps increasing while the government has been generally unable to rescue many of its citizens from death rows abroad.

The insecurity in the country as a whole and criminality, especially within our sea flanks have become a disincentive for direct foreign investment, with deleterious consequences for both growth and development of the Nigerian economy. Nigeria’s inability to float an official shipping company as well as an official airline has reduced the country’s profile in aviation, import and export of goods, resulting thereby in loss of invisible income and other accruals of international trade.

Furthermore, the waning role and influence of the country even in UN peace-keeping and peace enforcement in recent times is indeed worrisome. Nigeria’s fifth position in terms of contribution to such efforts is now being threatened on account of our domestic challenges and poor maintenance culture. Nigeria has had to contend with some other countries that are positioning themselves to upstage the country’s enviable position in this critical sector.

Nigeria can continue to gloat at the number of visits paid to it by foreign leaders and visits by President Jonathan and Dame Patience abroad, but the truth is unmistakable that Nigeria’s scorecard in the foreign domain is less than salubrious. The fact that Nigeria has proven unable to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set by the UN in 1999 as well as its abandonment of the Vision 20-20-20 targets is definitely no cheering news. Nor can Nigeria celebrate its exclusion from BRICS, the coterie of the most promising among emergent economies of our time. That we have had to be contented with membership of a second-order Group of 15 developing countries is indicative of the declining status of the country as well as its peripheral and subsidiary status and role in the global scheme of things. In fact, it would require much more than loud noises regarding a so-called transformation agenda and quixotic re-branding of erstwhile bad and ugly Nigerians into a great nation of good people for there to be a turnaround in our circumstance.

And for what it is worth, we should remember that it was not too long ago that signs were hung on restaurants’ windows in Shanghai saying, “Dogs and Chinese Not Admitted!” However, with the success of Chairman Mao’s Long March and Xiao Den Ping’s socio-economic and political transformation agenda, all that has since become history. Today, China is a global economic superpower, which in the nearest future is sure to assume the world’s number one position in industrial production, commanding tremendous geo-political power and influence across the world.  Moral? Seek ye first the kingdom of economic power and all other things shall be added unto you…

Summary

It is very difficult, if not impossible to conclude on a topic like this, which is very much a work in progress. Accordingly, we might have to settle for only a summary.

Nigeria is, no doubt, a huge socio-economic formation with huge potential to become a strong and powerful nation if only its leadership can get its acts together. Others would argue that once we put our house in order, not even the sky can be a limit to what is achievable. Regrettably, like most things in life, there is no free lunch in international relations and the poor image which Nigeria had carved for itself cannot just be wished away.

It is quite obvious that the country would want to occupy its rightful place within the international community. However, for this to happen, Nigeria must put into effect a gargantuan scheme of socio-economic and political transformation, the proof of which should be self-evident so as to generate much-needed support and respect from other members of the international community. The revolution being contemplated here would perforce be long and arduous but its benefits to the generality of the populace should clearly outweigh the inevitable painful cost that the people would have to bear.

• Concluded

• Prof. Oyebode is member of the Governing Council, Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).