There is no denying the fact that Nigeria is a country that is bursting with potentials and richness in natural resources.  Nigeria, once being referred to as the “Giant of Africa,” is endowed with a plethora of natural resources and untapped potentials that could significantly bolster its economy and improve the standard of living for virtually every Nigerian, including that of this writer and his families; both immediate and extended.

For instance, Nigeria is a major oil producer, with the petroleum sector being the most important part of its economy, and by virtue of its oil wealth, it has been a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) since 1971 and is currently the largest oil producer in Africa. Not only that, Nigeria’s proven oil reserves are estimated to be 37 billion barrels, while its natural gas reserves are even more extensive, at over 187 trillion cubic feet.

Beyond oil, Nigeria boasts of significant deposits of coal, tin, and columbite, particularly in areas like the Jos Plateau, even as the country also has substantial reserves of minerals such as iron ore, limestone, barite, gold, sapphires, topazes, and aquamarines.

In a similar vein, agriculture accounts for about 60% of Nigeria’s total land area, indicating vast potential for agricultural expansion and productivity. In fact, the sector contributes significantly to the GDP and employs a large portion of the population.

Still in a similar vein, Nigeria has a variety of renewable resources, including solar energy, which remains largely untapped due to technological and infrastructural limitations. Without recourse to sounding exaggerative in this context, it is germane to disclose that I have read literatures wherein references were made that Solar physicists (specialists in the study of the Sun) have asserted, based on findings, that Nigeria’s location near the equator provides a significant advantage for the development of solar power.

As if the overflow of showers of blessings from God upon Nigeria are not enough, it is blessed with an average of 2,250 cubic meters of water per capita per year, even as it is well-endowed with water resources, which are crucial for agriculture, industry, and human consumption.

Despite Nigeria’s rich resource base, it faces challenges in effectively harnessing these resources due to factors that cut across corruption, infrastructural deficits, and environmental concerns. For instance, the ecological disaster of oil spills in the Niger Delta region has been a significant issue.

In fact, since May 29, 1999 when Nigeria returned to democracy, the masses have been yearning for a glimmer of hope amidst the challenges that seem to mount with each passing political dispensation. The Ruling Class, a tapestry of various political figures, has often been criticized for making promises that remain unfulfilled, leaving the populace to grapple with the harsh realities of everyday life.

In fact, election after election, candidates ascend podiums, their voices resonating with vows of change, development, and prosperity. Yet, once the ballots have been cast and the victory songs fade, these promises often vanish like mirages in the Saharan sun. The masses are left waiting, hoping against hope that the next leader will be different.

Without resort to campaign of calumny in this context, corruption has been a leech on Nigeria’s progress, draining resources that could have transformed the infrastructure and quality of life for many. Despite numerous anti-corruption campaigns and initiatives, the specter of graft remains, casting a long shadow over the country’s governance.

In fact, the state of Nigeria’s infrastructure is a reflection of the priorities of those in power. Roads, hospitals, schools, and basic amenities are the building blocks of a thriving society. Yet, in many parts of the country, these remain in a state of disrepair, hindering not just the movement of people and goods, but also the aspirations of a generation.

Without any scintilla of hyperbole, governance in Nigeria has literarily been enmeshed in a quagmire so much that not a few people are asking, “When Will the People’s Plight Take Priority?”

The foregoing question unarguably been asked by the people cannot be said to be misplaced as the country stands as a beacon of potential, yet the masses are ensnared in a quicksand of unmet expectations and escalating hardships. The ruling class, from one political tenure to the next, seems to be in a perpetual state of promise-making, with little to show in the way of promise-keeping. The masses, ever hopeful, continue to endure a life that grows increasingly tougher.

In fact, the narrative of governance in Nigeria is often painted with the brush of optimism during election campaigns, but the canvas of reality tells a different story. Statistically, Nigeria has consistently ranked low in the World Governance Index, particularly in areas that cut across government effectiveness, political stability, and the presence of violence and terrorism. The 2020 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index paints a grim picture, scoring Nigeria a mere 25/100, indicating a high level of perceived corruption.

The socio-economic landscape of Nigeria is marred by disparities that are more than just numbers. According to the World Bank, Nigeria’s poverty rate increased from 35.0% in 2019 to 40.1% in 2020, while unemployment soared to 33.3% in the fourth quarter of 2020. These figures are not just statistics; they represent real people, real struggles, and real lives put on hold.

In fact, the state of Nigeria’s infrastructure is a testament to the neglect by those in power. Roads that lead to nowhere, hospitals lacking basic facilities, and schools crumbling under the weight of neglect, all paint a picture of a nation’s potential being squandered. As if the foregoing infrastructural gaps are not enough, there has been persistent epileptic electricity supplies across the country for more than two decades now. The cost of this neglect is not just economic; it is a cost borne by the dreams and aspirations of the Nigerian people.

Given the foregoing grim graphic picture, not a few Nigerians are literarily screaming that the time has come for the ruling class to pivot from rhetoric to action. Without sounding exaggerative in this context, the Nigerian masses are not just voters; they are the heartbeat of the nation, deserving of a governance that prioritizes their welfare and harnesses their potential. The clarion call for change is loud and clear, and it is time for those in power to listen and act.

Therefore, it is germane to opine at this juncture that as Nigeria turns the page on another political chapter since May 29, 2023 that the masses still stand at a crossroads between continued despair and the hope of a new dawn, despite all the promises made by the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In fact, this piece will be inconclusive without opining that the views it conveys could not have been expressed at a better time than now that the president will be clocking one year in office on May 29, 2024, and it is expedient to ask, “What hope for the Nigerian masses as the Ruling Class Continues to make life tougher?”

The post What Hope For The Nigerian Masses As The Ruling Class Continues To Make Life Tougher? -By Isaac Asabor first appeared on Opinion Nigeria.