Nigeria and the pursuit of economic freedom

Very disturbing observations made on the state of the nation’s economy have consistently been analyzed with utmost carefulness by economic watchers through studies conducted especially on the stunted economic growth of the country. The concerns often expressed are because the outcomes are in spite of the obvious super rich natural resources and great potentials that abound at the nation’s disposal. With no visible landmark performances and clear cut march on economic progress recorded within the system as expected, the concerns grow. The worrisome situation has always prompted forward thinking people to ponder over this unsettled economic mirage that has bedeviled economic success of the nation. At the same time, it has occupied the hearts and minds of many citizens that have hoped, and are still hoping to sincerely see a new nation where economic development shall take shape for an uninterruptible steady economic growth and development.

There are too many reasons being put across board as core factors responsible for what is holding the nation’s economy down from running with the speed of light. These are along with a few conspiracy theories that have also been proffered and linked to what is happening to the economy; why the economic prosperity of Nigeria is not happening. From all intents and purposes, what the nation needs most is good leadership, where patriotism occupies the center stage, to manifest emotional, moral values and enthused disciplinary conduct over the affairs and overall well-being of the state. Those that pilot the affairs of the land should come out neat and pursue dedicated and committed stewardship in the discharge of state duties. This singular point is not rocket science but a self-resolved will to serve and defend the interests of the state patriotically. The federal agencies that are responsible for reorientation of the general public’s mindset should not relent but put in more fire and efforts in their advocacy assignments and reorientation for Nigerians to develop rightly. The attitudes and behavioural patterns of citizens called to assume national positions of responsibility are strong virtues required as game-changers for efficient performance in their duty posts in defending the interests of the state.            

Neocolonialism used to mean an oppressive economic, political, spiritual and cultural tool used for continuation of dependence on foreign powers. It is globally practiced today through economic policies by transnational corporations and multilateral institutions, to perpetuate a colonial-master form of exploitation against developing countries. Nigeria, for instance, as a developing nation has not been fortunate enough to extricate herself from the snares of many forms of neocolonialism (economic and cultural imperialism, conditional aids from multilateral institutions, and globalisation). This development succeeded within the system as a result of the age long, ongoing endemic, official corrupt practices amongst those in places of authority. These modern systems of neocolonialism deeply manifest as the subtle propagation of political and socioeconomic activities (hegemony and measures, respectively) by the former colonial masters to reinforce the likes of capitalism, cultural subjugation or neoliberal globalisation of the affected former colonies. These tools are indeed exploitative, deliberate for continued survival of the system of colonial masters that turn the vulnerable developing nations into victims of economic, social, political, military, technical and mental forms of domination that are carried out to perpetuate poverty and latent dependence on the global oppressors.

Economic freedom is feasible, whenever the right things are done by citizens who can influence other persons with a committed mindset, to resist economic sabotage (or wrong policies). The global powers often cash in to exploit the mentality of those who could play along with them on counterproductive policies that are adverse and hostile to potential and promising growth indicators, in all the available sectors that are prone to attacks with inhibitors that shall eventually manifest fractured economic future, as being experienced presently. 

In Nigeria, this vulnerability has become obvious in the oil and gas sector of the economy. And this has held the Nigerian economy down for as long as the nation’s existence since gaining her independence in 1960. All sorts of things were applied to destabilise a very promising, growing economy. Economic freedom, therefore, must be pursued with vigour by patriots that may need to go an extra length to resist, reject, refuse, and renounce every appearance of killer financial legislation (be it monetary or fiscal). No matter the attractiveness to individual pockets, think selfless, think sustainability, think patriotic, think state first.

African nations in general, should start being smart enough in this twenty first century, to neutralize every economic exploitative move (creating adverse economic policy) by the global powers to distract development plans for economic emancipation, breakthroughs and good success, with indigenously programmed growth strategies. Nigeria particularly must be sure of skipping further financial enslavement through unnecessary dangling of external loans that are not genuinely tagged to or channeled toward national capital development. This, the country needs to do for the purpose of actualising real and meaningful economic freedom.

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