By KINGSLEY AKAM

In the 2023 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, Nigeria scored 25 on a scale from 0 (“highly corrupt”) to 100 (“very clean”). When ranked by score, Nigeria ranked 145th among the 180 countries in the Index. 

Inadequate infrastructure: Corruption and misallocation of resources have resulted in inadequate infrastructure. Many Nigerians lack access to basic amenities such as clean water, electricity, and healthcare. Roads, schools, and hospitals are often in poor condition, affecting the quality of life. The Niger Delta region, rich in oil, has suffered from severe pollution and neglect, while the wealth generated from oil has not benefited the local communities. The exploitation of oil resources has led to severe environmental damage in the Niger Delta. Oil spills and gas flaring have destroyed local ecosystems, affecting the livelihoods of communities that depend on fishing and farming. The government and its cohorts seem to benefit from this environmental degradation.

Widespread poverty and economic inequality: The embezzlement of public funds and mismanagement of resources have led to widespread poverty and economic inequality. Despite Nigeria’s wealth in natural resources, many Nigerians live in poverty due to the diversion of funds meant for public welfare into private pockets. As mentioned earlier, the debate on neo-colonialism has existed for almost 60 years since Nkrumah made these claims in 1965, when many African countries, like Ghana and Nigeria, had already gained independence. Yet, more than 60 years post-independence, in the 21st century, Africa in general, and Nigeria in particular, are declining, and suffering from self-inflicted harm through bad governance caused by Nigerians themselves, not by foreign interference, control, or influence.

It is well-documented that foreigners once flocked to Nigeria for education and medical tourism in the 1950s and 1960s. A national daily of March 20, 2020, quotes Nigeria’s former Minister of State for Health, Olorunnibe Mamora, as saying: “In the ’50s and ’60s, Nigeria benefited from medical tourism, even as the royal family from Saudi Arabia used to come to the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, for treatment.” In addition to medical tourism and education, the Nigerian currency was once valued higher than the dollar. Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe (2009), in Africa’s Tarnished Name, reveals that “travelling as Nigerians was exciting. People listened to us. Our money was worth more than the dollar” (p. 3). Unfortunately, the Naira has since lost its value in the international market, reflecting the economic decline of the country.

The contemporary issues of poor economic performance and other woes in Nigeria are the result of an Afrocentric colonial system perpetuated by Nigerian rulers and their cohorts, who exploit others with impunity for their self-interest. This corrupt system causes pain and hardship for citizens who are deprived of the benefits of good governance. A small group of individuals exploits, oppresses, and metes out various forms of injustice and inhuman treatment to the population. These conditions are not imported from former colonial masters, nor are they caused by neo-colonialism, but by Nigerians themselves. Thus, Nigerians have become colonisers of their own people, rendering them poor and hopeless. There is an urgent need for change, as I have always insisted, and for African leaders to stop thinking and behaving like the colonial masters of the past.

Ethnic and religious divisions: The manipulation of ethnic and religious identities to maintain power has been a significant issue in Nigeria. Leaders have often exploited these divisions to create a loyal base of support, leading to conflicts and violence. Even those in power or in positions of influence, such as kings, religious leaders, the president’s wife, presidential spokespersons, and their cohorts, have made divisive statements of bigotry on various occasions. The manipulation of ethnic and religious divisions by leaders to maintain power has fuelled conflicts and violence, leading to political instability and making it difficult for ordinary Nigerians to live in peace and security.

Gender inequality and misogyny approach: Afrocentric colonialism perpetuates patriarchal structures, which limit opportunities for women and reinforce gender inequality. Women often face discrimination and are under-represented in political and economic spheres. For instance, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other male senators have mistreated female senators in the Nigerian Senate. On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Senator Akpabio undermined his colleague, Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. This occurred after Kingibe disagreed with the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. Akpabio instructed Wike to disregard Kingibe and not be distracted by her comments. Later, on Thursday, July 18, 2024, Akpabio made a misogynistic and gender-biased statement to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduagha during a plenary session. When Akpoti-Uduagha attempted to speak without being recognised by the Senate President, Akpabio dismissed her, saying: “Senator Natasha, you cannot speak without being asked or invited to speak in the Senate. This is not a nightclub.”

The experiences of female senators in Nigeria, as highlighted by the actions of Senate President Akpabio and some of his male colleagues, underscore the pervasive issue of gender inequality and misogyny within political institutions and the Afrocentric colonial system. The treatment of Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator Akpoti-Uduagha, and other female senators reflects a broader pattern of discrimination that not only marginalises women but also reinforces patriarchal norms. Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort to dismantle entrenched patriarchal structures and promote gender equity in all spheres of public life. Ensuring that women have an equal voice and are treated with respect in political environments is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and just society.

Authoritarian and dictatorial  practices: The use of draconian measures to suppress dissent and maintain power is another significant issue. During the military regimes, leaders like General Ibrahim Babangida and General Sani Abacha used brutal force to silence opposition and maintain control. It is disheartening to note that even those who protested against the victimisation and suppression of Nigerians during the military era are now engaging in worse practices under a supposedly democratic system.  According to verifiable data and statistics from reputable organisations such as UNESCO, UNICEF, the National Bureau of Statistics of Nigeria, and Amnesty International, Nigeria is arguably one of the epicentres of corruption, human rights abuses, disregard for the rule of law, injustice, inequality, and bad governance.

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government is suppressing the press and citizens for expressing their fundamental human rights of freedom of speech, protest, and peaceful assembly, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended. 

Chapter Four of the Constitution outlines the Fundamental Rights of Nigerians in sections such as: Section 33, Right to life; Section 34, Right to dignity of the human person; Section 35, Right to personal liberty; Section 36, Right to a fair hearing; Section 37, Right to private and family life; Section 38, Right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; Section 39, Right to freedom of expression and the press; Section 40, Right to peaceful assembly and association; Section 41, Right to freedom of movement, and so on.

Unfortunately, and sadly, these rights have been stripped away from Nigerians. The current state of Nigeria reflects a new face of oppression akin to an Afrocentric colonial system that exploits and oppresses its people. This is evident not only in instances of corruption, human rights abuses, and disregard for the rule of law but also in the fact that unarmed peaceful protesters have been killed by Nigerian security agents, and those arrested are being charged with treasonable felony. These human rights abuses, authoritarian and dictatorial practices, which include the suppression of dissent and the use of force against opposition and ordinary Nigerians, are clear attributes of a colonial system. Ordinary Nigerians often face harassment, arbitrary arrests, and violence from security forces. This draconian, inhumane, and undemocratic approach is reminiscent of the military days. These examples illustrate how Afrocentric colonialism has had profound and multifaceted negative impacts on ordinary Nigerians. These impacts highlight the ongoing challenges faced by ordinary Nigerians due to the exploitative practices of their leaders, mirroring the colonial era’s oppression. This is not the result of external imposition but of internal corruption and the failure of African leaders to govern effectively.

In conclusion, Afrocentric colonialism is a significant barrier to Africa’s development. It is a system perpetuated by African leaders who, in their pursuit of power and wealth, have become the new oppressors of their people. As protests continue to spread across the continent, it is clear that the fight against this internal form of colonialism is far from over. The injustice that is encouraged, supported, or ignored today will inevitably come back to haunt the oppressed and the victims, directly or indirectly. 

*Akam is of the“Lancaster University, UK and wrote via: k.akam@lancaster.ac.uk