In a time when Nigerians are reaping from an unprecedented economic woes, deepening poverty, and a growing crisis of insecurity, it is imperative to ask: Can Nigeria truly afford this style of governance? The answer, sadly, is no.
The nation can no longer sustain a system where the cost of running government far outweighs its ability to deliver meaningful change to the people.
Governance in Nigeria has increasingly become a tool for privilege rather than service. It is characterized by extravagant spending, unaccountable leadership, and a gross detachment from the day-to-day realities of ordinary citizens.
While over 200 millions Nigerians are struggling to afford basic food, access healthcare, or send their children to school, many public officials continue to live in excessive comfort, protected by layers of bureaucracy that drain public resources without commensurate impact.
It is a troubling that a country with one of the highest poverty rates in the world also has one of the most expensive governments. Legislators, ministers, governors, and a long list of political appointees receive salaries and allowances that would be considered excessive even in developed economies.
At the same time, essential services remain grossly underfunded. Public hospitals are understaffed and under equipped. Schools, especially in rural areas, are dilapidated. Roads are death traps. Yet, year after year, the budgets are padded with needless luxuries for government officials vehicles, renovations, overseas trips, and inflated contracts.
Beyond the financial cost, the moral cost is even greater. A government that spends lavishly on itself while asking its people to endure more hardship loses not just credibility but legitimacy.
The recent economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidies and floating of the naira, have brought immense pressure on ordinary Nigerians. Prices have skyrocketed, businesses are closing, and unemployment is rising. But instead of demonstrating empathy and leadership through sacrifice, many political leaders continue business as usual.
There is also the question of accountability or the lack of it. Nigeria’s governance model allows impunity to thrive. Corruption is not only widespread but often goes unpunished. Public office is frequently treated as a reward for loyalty rather than a responsibility to serve.
Agencies with overlapping mandates continue to exist, bloating the civil service while delivering little in terms of measurable results. Whistleblowers are discouraged, audits are ignored, and citizens’ voices are sidelined.
What makes the situation even more tragic is that it doesn’t have to be this way. Nigeria is not a poor country by potential. It is rich in resources, talent, and human capital. What it lacks is purposeful leadership that prioritizes the public good over personal gain. What it lacks is a system that punishes excess, demands performance, and elevates competence over cronyism. What it desperately needs is a complete overhaul of how governance is conceptualized and executed.
The time has come to confront a hard truth: this style of governance wasteful, unaccountable, is incompatible with modern realities, If we continue on this path, we will keep circling the same mountains of poverty, insecurity, and underdevelopment. To build a better future, Nigeria must embrace a new governance model—lean, transparent, responsive, and people-centered.
Until that happens, the question will remain painfully relevant: Can Nigeria afford this style of governance? And the answer will remain a resounding No!!
