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VENO NEWS: NIGERIA @ 65 HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY BY ComradeOla
Date: 01-10-25

Nigeria at 65 stands as a nation blessed with abundant natural and human resources yet weighed down by decades of institutional decay, maladministration, corruption, and failed governance. Instead of celebrating six and a half decades of progress, citizens lament the same persistent issues: bad roads and poor road networks across most states, dilapidated infrastructure, looted public funds, and weak institutions incapable of delivering basic services. Successive governments have promised reforms, but the country’s story remains one of unfulfilled potential.

One of the most glaring examples of maladministration is in the petroleum sector, particularly the fuel subsidy regime. Rather than serving as a cushion for the poor, the subsidy system became a pipeline for enriching a few at the expense of millions. Investigative reports and parliamentary probes uncovered billions of dollars lost to fraudulent subsidy claims, ghost importers, and inflated figures, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) operated in secrecy with little accountability. These practices drained the national treasury and denied the people critical investments in healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Security funding has also been marred by corruption and weak oversight. A notorious example is the arms procurement scandal linked to the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, where billions of naira meant to buy equipment for the fight against insurgency were allegedly diverted. This mismanagement not only deepened insecurity but also eroded trust in government institutions that are meant to safeguard lives and property.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), created to drive development in the oil-rich but underdeveloped Niger Delta region, has also been embroiled in allegations of widespread corruption. Over the years, large sums allocated for roads, schools, and healthcare in the region have vanished into phantom projects, leaving many communities in the same state of deprivation that spurred the commission’s creation Despite repeated probes, unfinished projects dot the region, serving as physical reminders of elite capture of public resources.

Maladministration was equally visible during the COVID-19 pandemic when funds and palliatives meant for vulnerable households were poorly managed. Reports emerged of warehouses stocked with food aid while many Nigerians went hungry. The lack of transparency in the distribution of relief materials and alleged diversion of cash transfers exposed the government’s inability to manage emergencies fairly and efficiently.

Another vivid instance was the naira redesign and currency swap policy implemented in late 2022 and early 2023. Intended to reduce cash hoarding and curb illicit financial flows, the policy was rushed, poorly coordinated, and inadequately planned. It resulted in nationwide cash scarcity, crippled small businesses, created long queues at banks, and plunged many citizens into unnecessary hardship. The Supreme Court eventually had to intervene to halt aspects of the policy, underscoring the poor governance that defined its execution.

These examples reflect broader patterns of weak institutions, lack of transparency, and inconsistent policy implementation. Agencies created to serve public interests often become channels for patronage and self-enrichment, while accountability mechanisms remain politicized or selective. As a result, Nigeria’s vast oil wealth has not been translated into good roads, stable electricity, efficient healthcare, or quality education. Instead, much of the nation’s infrastructure lies in disrepair, with pothole-ridden highways, crumbling bridges, and unreliable public utilities illustrating the cost of decades of bad governance.

At 65, Nigeria’s challenges are not merely the result of poverty or lack of resources but of deliberate failures in leadership and management. Until there is genuine political will to reform institutions, enforce accountability, and prioritize public welfare over personal gain, the cycle of maladministration and decay will persist. The nation’s journey so far serves as a sobering reminder that abundant resources alone can not bring development without integrity, transparency, and responsible leadership.

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