The Dilemma of a Nation Once Promising, Thriving, and Full of Life
Terngu Sylvanus Nomishan
by Terngu Sylvanus Nomishan
Federal University Lokoja
At the beginning of its independence in 1960, Nigeria had its proverbial head above water and at the front running with other nations, it was the most populous country in Africa, and a bastion of hope and promise. With a lot of natural resource wealth, a rich cultural heritage, and a willing populace wishing to develop, Nigeria was seen as a potential economic and political powerhouse. Nigeria was in rapid and full-scale development and modernisation, garnering respect and awe for both intra- and inter-continental observers. Nigeria would be the face of Africa's rebirth brigades.
During the 1960s and early 1970s, Nigeria’s economy was robust, fueled by booming agricultural exports and the discovery of oil. Its cities were expanding, its infrastructure was developing, and its universities ranked among the best in Africa. Nigeria was the destination of choice for many West Africans seeking better opportunities. Among these were Ghanaians, who saw Nigeria as a land of abundance. The country was affectionately nicknamed the “Giant of Africa,” and rightly so, as its influence stretched far beyond its borders.
In fact, such was Nigeria’s attraction that thousands of Ghanaians lived, worked, and raised families in the country. From Accra to Lagos, it was not uncommon to hear stories of Ghanaians building prosperous lives in Nigerian cities. The spirit of Pan-Africanism was alive in Nigeria, and the country served as a refuge and opportunity base for many Africans, especially West Africans seeking greener pastures.
However, the political and economic crises that followed the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) began to erode the country’s stability. By the early 1980s, Nigeria's economy began to decline rapidly, marked by corruption, poor governance, and a series of military coups. Public services began to deteriorate, and public sentiment turned increasingly hostile toward foreigners, including Ghanaians, who were blamed for the worsening economy and rising unemployment.
In 1983, the Nigerian government issued a directive expelling over a million undocumented West African migrants, mostly Ghanaians. The infamous “Ghana Must Go” episode became a defining moment in West African migration history. Despite the economic hardship they endured, Ghanaians in Nigeria were not known for crimes or social vices. Their expulsion was primarily due to economic protectionism and xenophobia spurred by worsening internal conditions.
Fast forward to the present day, and Nigeria is facing a deeply ironic situation. The roles have reversed. Nigerians, disillusioned and frustrated by decades of failed leadership, insecurity, and economic hardship, are now the ones migrating in droves to other countries, including Ghana, in search of better lives. The once-promising nation has become a place of despair, with its citizens scattered across the world, often facing discrimination, stigma, and marginalisation.
More striking is the reason for the current protests by some Ghanaians who demand the expulsion of Nigerians. Unlike the 1983 incident, where Ghanaians were largely law-abiding but scapegoated, today’s Nigerians are frequently accused of serious crimes. In Ghana and elsewhere, Nigerians are increasingly associated with cyber fraud (popularly known as "Yahoo Yahoo"), prostitution, drug trafficking, ritual killings, and other social vices. These accusations, whether exaggerated or not, reflect a broader perception of Nigeria’s moral decline.
Can any Nigerian sincerely deny that these problems plague the country today? The truth is painfully evident. Every day, newspapers and social media platforms are flooded with stories of gruesome killings, rampant kidnapping, ritual practices, and other horrifying criminal activities. Innocent Nigerians at home live in fear. The nation's streets, highways, and even places of worship are no longer safe.
The normalisation of violence in Nigeria is one of the most disturbing aspects of the current crisis. Life has become cheap. Whether it is banditry in the North-West, terrorism in the North-East, cultism in the South-South, or kidnapping across all regions, no part of Nigeria is spared. Thousands of lives are lost each year, yet public outrage fades quickly, and justice is rarely served.
This national decay did not happen overnight. It is the product of a long history of poor governance, corruption, and systemic neglect of vital sectors, especially education. Nigerian leaders, past and present, have created a nation where values are eroded, institutions are weak, and citizens are left to fend for themselves in an increasingly hostile environment. It is no surprise that many have turned to crime as a means of survival.
One of the root causes of this collapse is the chronic underfunding of education. In a country where university lecturers go unpaid for months and schools lack basic infrastructure, how can the future be secure? The recent decision to provide loans instead of salary increments to university staff highlights the misplaced priorities of those in power. How can a nation thrive when its intellectuals and educators are not valued?
Education is the bedrock of every progressive society. It produces critical thinkers, innovators, and ethical leaders. China and India, both once plagued by poverty and underdevelopment, have invested massively in education and now rank among the world’s major economies. Nigeria, on the other hand, has allowed its educational system to rot, producing half-baked graduates and a growing army of unemployable youths.
The consequences are dire. A country with a poorly educated population cannot compete globally. It cannot build sustainable institutions, foster innovation, or maintain law and order. Instead, it becomes a breeding ground for criminality, religious extremism, and hopelessness. This is the reality in Nigeria today, a nation where the youth are either trapped in poverty or lured into crime.
If nothing is urgently done to reform the education sector and rebuild national values, Nigeria is bound to descend further into chaos. The country must recognise that its future lies not in oil wealth or foreign aid, but in the minds and capabilities of its citizens. Leaders must be held accountable for their failures, and a collective national effort must be made to prioritise education, justice, and good governance.
In conclusion, Nigeria’s current predicament is a tragic irony for a nation once viewed as Africa’s great hope. From a thriving land that welcomed others, it has become a country from which its own citizens flee. The reasons are not hard to find: failed leadership, moral decay, and the collapse of essential systems, especially education. The future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear, Nigeria must confront its demons and rebuild from within, or risk losing everything it once stood for.
Terngu Sylvanus Nomishan
Department of Archaeology and Museum Studies,
Federal University Lokoja.
P.M.B 1154, Lokoja,
Kogi State, Nigeria.
https://fulokoja.edu.ng/staff.php?i=1003&sn=terngu-nomishan
Tel.: +234 805 106 5128
