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Africa’s most decorated historian, Prof Toyin Falola, on Thursday, condemned Nigeria’s persistent governance issues, stressing that poor leadership, corruption, and over-reliance on oil have severely hindered the country’s development and growth.
Speaking at the fourth convocation lecture of Koladaisi University in Ibadan, Prof Falola highlighted the urgent need for substantial reforms if Nigeria is to reverse its trajectory of stagnation and fulfil its immense potential.
The lecture, titled ‘Advancing Nigeria’s Future’, painted a sobering and critical analysis of Nigeria’s journey since independence.
Falola argued that the nation, once poised to be a leader on the African continent, had been derailed by years of mismanagement, ethnic divisions, and a failure to leverage its resources effectively. “Bad governance has so bedevilled the country that nothing seems to be working anymore,” Falola lamented, noting that corruption, weak leadership, and the mismanagement of national resources had left critical sectors like healthcare, education, and infrastructure in tatters.
As one of the foremost scholars on African history and development, Prof Falola reflected on Nigeria’s potential during the post-independence era.
He pointed out that the country, with its vast natural resources and large population, had all the ingredients for success. However, he stressed that the failure to establish effective governance systems and promote national unity had severely hampered its progress.
He cited the poor state of Nigeria’s healthcare and educational systems, where underfunding and mismanagement had created long-standing deficits in service delivery and human capital development.
Turning his focus to the nation’s economic woes, Falola singled out Nigeria’s dependency on oil as a critical factor in its stagnation.
“We found that underdevelopment is linked to bad governance. Nigeria’s oil, once viewed as a boon, has now become a curse,” he remarked.
He explained that successive governments had squandered oil wealth on extravagant lifestyles while failing to diversify the economy. The result, according to Falola, is a nation overly reliant on oil exports, which are vulnerable to the volatility of global oil prices.
This lack of diversification, he said, had led to stagnation in other key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and technology, which are crucial for long-term growth and sustainable development.
He called for a radical shift in governance, advocating for transparency, effective policymaking, and a commitment to economic diversification.
“Until governance shifts toward transparency, effective policymaking, and a commitment to economic diversification, Nigeria will remain hampered by underdevelopment,” Falola asserted.
He urged leaders to prioritise the development of critical sectors and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on oil as its sole economic engine.
In addition to economic concerns, Prof Falola also addressed Nigeria’s struggles with human capital development, warning that the country has not invested adequately in its people.
He explained that the growth of any nation was inextricably linked to the quality of its human capital and societal values.
“The growth of any nation depends mainly on a good foundation of human capital and values,” he explained, emphasising the need for reforms in education and healthcare to improve productivity and foster a stronger, more resilient workforce.
Falola also decried the ongoing brain drain, as talented Nigerians continue to seek opportunities abroad due to the lack of adequate infrastructure and opportunities at home.
“No nation developed without good human capital and sound values.
“A commitment to integrity, responsibility, and discipline is essential for Nigeria’s progress,” he said.
The historian proposed a series of reforms, including a robust and accessible education system, improved healthcare, and programmes designed to instil core values of service, integrity, and responsibility in Nigeria’s youth.
He also called for unity in addressing Nigeria’s challenges as he underscored that the country’s ethnic divisions and corruption must be confronted head-on in order to move forward.
“Progress can only be achieved through a collective effort,” he said, urging both leaders and citizens to commit to national reform and work towards building a unified, prosperous, and just society for all Nigerians.
The lecture attracted a significant audience of academics, students, and policymakers.
