Founder of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has emphasised that Nigeria’s lack of social capital and cohesion is a significant impediment to its development.
During an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, Ezekwesili stated that “a critical factor that enables development is what we call social capital and social cohesion. Nigeria lacks it; it is depleted.”
Ezekwesili discussed the country’s structural and governance issues, particularly the inability of leadership to harness and mobilise the nation’s resources effectively. She pointed out, “The structure that Nigeria has had, has contributed enormously to the low productivity of a country that could be much more, even when compared to a country like Indonesia.”
She highlighted the disparities between Nigeria and Indonesia, noting that despite similar population sizes, Indonesia has achieved a significantly higher income per capital . “Indonesia now has an income per capital of over $6,000, while Nigeria lags at around $2,300. This disparity raises questions about the type of governance that has been practiced in Nigeria,” Ezekwesili remarked.
She criticised the current political system, asserting that the constitution, which should be the foundation of governance, has been undermined by selfish political interests. “The constitution is the organic document of governance, encapsulating the rights of citizens and principles that should guide leadership. Unfortunately, our political system has become one of the toughest barriers to progress,” she explained.
Ezekwesili traced the roots of Nigeria’s challenges to the disruption of regionalism by military rule and the subsequent centralisation of power. “The military adventurism knocked regionalism off, leading to a system where those who control the centre wield excessive power,” she said, adding that this centralisation has alienated the majority of Nigerians from the governance process.
She also lamented the disconnect between the people and their local governments, which she described as centralised and ineffective. “We say we have local government, but it’s really just a centralised system where state governments look to Abuja for handouts,” Ezekwesili commented, highlighting the alienation of citizens from the constitutional processes that should govern their lives.
Ezekwesili argued that Nigeria’s governance issues are exacerbated by a lack of clear national aspirations, particularly among the youth. She noted, “Nation formation is critical for determining the aspirations of the people. However, in Nigeria today, it’s difficult to pinpoint what the dominant aspiration is, especially among the youth.”
She called for a comprehensive constitutional reform that goes beyond superficial changes, advocating for a process that addresses the root causes of Nigeria’s governance challenges. “We told the National Assembly in 2021 that there’s no need to ponder in the margins of this constitution. A single-issue amendment to allow for a constitutional approach that reflects the diverse layers of Nigeria’s issues is necessary,” she stated.
Ezekwesili also warned the elite to be more aware of the dire situation facing many Nigerians, particularly the over 100 million citizens living in poverty. “The elite must awaken to the reality that a large portion of our population is being left behind in biting poverty. We cannot afford to wait any longer,” she urged.
Finally, she addressed the confusion between incentives and sanctions in Nigerian society, where bad behaviour is often rewarded while good behaviour is punished. “One key issue in our society is the complete confusion between incentives and sanctions, where good behaviour is punished, and bad behaviour is highly rewarded,” Ezekwesili observed, calling for a shift in governance practices to reverse this trend.
NNEOMA UDENSI
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