How New York City Got Its Juicy Nickname “The Big Apple” — And What It Means To The World

By Emeka Chiaghanam

Nigeria, often called the "Giant of Africa," is a phrase I grew up hearing, though it didn’t sit well with my parents and the older generation, even back then. Despite the economy being more stable in those days, the phrase now feels like a paradox at the heart of the continent.

Today, Nigeria is Africa's most populous country, with over 200 million people, and is rich in natural resources, including some of the world's largest oil reserves. The country’s cultural richness, vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, and strategic geopolitical position further highlight its vast potential.

Yet, beneath this grand facade lies a harsh reality of underdevelopment. Despite its abundant resources and human capital, Nigeria struggles with widespread poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and systemic corruption. These very attributes, which should propel it to greatness, instead underscore a troubling contradiction.

Nigeria's promise of prosperity and leadership seems perpetually out of reach, trapped by poor governance and mismanagement. This paradox is akin to a giant trapped in a dwarf's body, where potential and reality are constantly at odds. The nation's story grows darker each day, overshadowing the promise and optimism of its early history. This disheartening tale of darkness overpowering light seemed unimaginable at the outset when hope and potential shone brightly. It painfully reminds us how far the nation has strayed from its initial path, where progress and prosperity were expected to flourish.

Looking back, I remember how strong the naira was. It was once a hard currency that some foreign expatriates preferred over their own. Although leadership and economic direction were not perfect, they were manageable. In the 1960s, Nigeria’s political and economic indices surpassed those of most Asian countries that have now left us behind, widening the gap daily.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Nigeria was a hub for medical tourism, with the University Teaching Hospital in Ibadan being a renowned destination. Even the Saudi Arabian royal family sought treatment there, highlighting Nigeria's advanced healthcare services and esteemed medical facilities during that era. Today, Indonesia stands as the world's largest palm oil producer and exporter, producing a staggering 36 million metric tonnes annually, followed by Malaysia with 21 million metric tonnes. Thailand and Colombia are third and fourth, producing 2.2 million and 1.3 million metric tonnes, respectively. Notably, the oil palms thriving in Indonesia and Malaysia reportedly originated from Nigeria, specifically from Calaro Estate in present-day Mbarakom, Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State.

Some argue that Indonesia and Malaysia did not source their palm fruits from Nigeria. While the oil palm tree, native to West Africa, including Nigeria, produces the palm fruits, the two countries' palm oil industry evolved independently of Nigeria's influence. In 1960, Nigeria supplied 45 percent of the global palm oil market. However, this dominance has long been overtaken by Indonesia and Malaysia. Since the oil boom of the early 1970s, successive Nigerian governments have prioritized crude oil, resulting in the neglect and decline of oil palm plantations and the eventual collapse of oil palm estates. The focus on oil and gas is neither healthy nor sustainable.

Starting in the late 1970s, Indonesia strategically aimed to establish palm oil as a key source of foreign exchange. This focus remained unwavering despite the political instability that rocked the country over the years. In October 2023, Indonesia launched its first commercial flight powered by palm oil-blended jet fuel. As the largest producer of palm oil, Indonesia is pushing for the broader adoption of biofuels to reduce its fuel imports and promote sustainable energy sources. Meanwhile, Nigeria struggles with adulterated palm oil and petrol scarcity.

In February this year, while appearing before the House of Representatives, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Oluyemi Cardoso, revealed that Nigerians spent over $40 billion on education and healthcare abroad between 2010 and 2020. The Punch reported that Nigerians spent about N8.3 billion on foreign healthcare-related services between June 2022 and June 2023. Mr. Cardoso noted that the high number of Nigerians in foreign schools and traveling abroad for medical treatment are major factors putting pressure on the naira. What happened to our educational system that people now travel to neighboring countries like Benin Republic for studies?

Facing a crisis in the nation’s health sector, including a deficient primary healthcare system and inadequate facilities, many Nigerian leaders and politicians seek medical treatment abroad. Though it didn’t start with them, former President Muhammadu Buhari frequently traveled abroad for medical treatment, spending over 250 days overseas along with his wife, Aisha, and son, Yusuf. Similarly, President Bola Tinubu and other political leaders also seek medical care in foreign hospitals.

The persistent question remains: why does a nation with such promise remain shackled by its leadership's recurring failures? Despite Nigeria's vast potential, its development is consistently stunted by poor leadership, transforming it from the "Giant of Africa" into a dwarf among its capabilities. Nigeria’s leadership failures have far-reaching consequences, stalling economic growth, fostering widespread poverty, and driving talented Nigerians to seek opportunities abroad. Most don’t return home, losing their roots and connections with their homeland.

Our leaders often travel abroad, observe how things work efficiently, and enjoy the benefits of well-organized systems. Yet, when they return home, they fail to implement these positive changes in their own country. This mentality reflects a disconnect between what they experience and what they practice domestically. What a mentality!

The consequences of poor leadership in Nigeria have resulted in economic stagnation, characterized by missed opportunities and hindered growth. The failure to effectively manage resources, rampant corruption, and inconsistent policies have deterred foreign investment and stifled domestic innovation, perpetuating cycles of unemployment, poverty, and underdevelopment across the nation.

Social disintegration in Nigeria due to poor leadership has exacerbated social divisions, increased crime rates, and undermined community well-being. The lack of adequate social services, rising inequality, and ethnic tensions have strained societal bonds, fostering a climate of distrust and instability that undermines national unity and progress.

Brain drain in Nigeria reflects the loss of educated and skilled individuals who migrate abroad in search of better opportunities. This exodus weakens local institutions, deprives the country of critical expertise, and impedes economic growth. It underscores the urgent need for reforms to retain talent and foster national development.

Nigeria's international image suffers from perceptions of untapped potential overshadowed by chronic leadership crises. Despite abundant resources and a dynamic population, persistent governance challenges like corruption and instability tarnish its reputation. Restoring credibility through effective governance reforms is crucial to realizing Nigeria's true potential on the global stage.

To unlock its potential, Nigeria must squarely address its leadership challenges. Implementing solutions proposed in the past through concerted efforts can help the nation overcome its governance hurdles and thrive. To truly realize its potential, Nigeria must confront these leadership challenges. How? Many solutions have been proffered in the past, and they should be implemented.