(Voice of Paul) – “Beta dey come o, beta dey come” was Wasiu Ayinde’s song in the late 90s where he urged Nigerians to take a look at South Africa and hope that the Nigerian economy would benefit all Nigerians sooner or later. Now, this is 2024 and the number of Nigerians that have travelled out of the country in this decade is historical. One particular reason is the economic factor, a situation where the probability of becoming comfortable in life with basic amenities such as cars, personal houses, three square meals, constant electricity, running clean water, and safety of lives and properties have become a luxury.
Most developed economies in the West run socialist or capitalist economies or the combination of both in different proportions – a situation where the government controls sectors of the economy like transportation, energy or telecommunication, and in some other sectors, they would allow other players to participate – the United Arab Emirates government has demonstrated this by inviting many international players into the country’s real estate economic sector. Part of the Western government’s responsibilities is taking care of the vulnerable in their countries by providing monthly monetary support, free food, free housing or bed space, and sometimes free education to support them.
The cases in Nigeria and many African countries are different. In Nigeria for example, being able to afford three square meals is considered living ‘okay’. As a Nigerian, I cannot point out to one benefit that the Nigerian federal government offers its citizens. Several people have compared the minimum wage of Nigeria and the cost per kilowatt of electricity consumption and as usual, the difference is huge.
In most developed countries, homeless, jobless people or families with the inability to work are entitled to monthly stipends up to the sum of $1500 while sometimes, the government would still pay for their housing, electricity bill and health insurance. With Nigeria’s 30000 Naira minimum wage, an equivalence of $23 USD per month, the Nigerian government charges the same electricity tariff as the same as those living in Texas, United States. How did that happen? How do they want the people to live a good life?
It is obvious that the Nigerian government is doing everything possible to raise money to fund most of its mega projects, but the problem is the trust in the country’s leadership. Most of the funds generated would be looted to fund our corrupt politicians’ wasteful lifestyle. Electricity is one thing that makes people happy and productive in Nigeria and if the Nigerian government would still go after that against an average Nigerian, then the country is in a mess.
Here is my opinion, let the Nigerian government solve the insecurities issues plaguing our farmers, that way food prices would drop, thereby improving the purchasing power of Naira. This effect will trickle down to the federal government as well and will help it fund most of its projects, provided that they are not padded.