I was filled with joy on one hand and sadness on the other hand during and after reading your articles: Global Disorder and its Localities of 4th August 2024, & Symptoms of National Distress- On the Need for a More Equal Society August 11, 2024 in The Nation newspaper.
I was happy because the articles discussed international and domestic issues that are of great interest to me, but became sad and worried because of the highly perilous state of affairs both at home and abroad. Both articles were intellectually stimulating.
One points to the interrelationship between international developments and domestic affairs, and why one cannot afford to ignore the other. We must all be on guard. For instance, while Kenya was boiling in far away East Africa, Israel was pounding Gaza mercilessly and Ukraine had been bleeding from Russian drawn daggers, there was nationwide strike in Nigeria, organised by some groups under the aegis of youth.
The implication even extends further: Nigeria is a large country of many ethnic groups, but it would be fool-hardy for one section to ignore the event, especially the riots happening in other parts. This calls for unity of purpose and action at home.
The other article identified many problems in the country which it sees as SYMPTOMS OF NATIONAL DISTRESS which should awaken us to positive actions for a better country or “a more equal society”.
Your observation that the “world is a very dangerous place” today and stress on the need for “Nigeria to get its act together as the greatest conglomeration of black souls anywhere in the world and the Mecca of the black person and magnetic hub for the injured and dispossessed in the race” was very apt and resonated with me.
I agree with your point in the “Symptoms of National Distress… The Nation 11.8.24 that “the upshot of all this is that Nigeria needs and deserves a new economic deal. Fortunately, there is opportunity in every crisis – after all “a week is long in politics”. President Tinubu should make use of the respite to go back to the drawing board in order to come up with a more socially responsive economic programme”.
Here I shall call for ideological shift from the present neo-liberal market ideology to Mixed Economy ideology of the old time before the 1980s, with emphasis on apt leadership, effective management of resources, good governance, equitable justice, respect for the rule of law and compliance with the provisions of the constitution of Nigeria.
On the whole, I find the two articles to be patriotic offerings worthy of commendation to all Nigerians, especially to the political leaders at this time when the nation appears to be gasping for oxygen for life from the rough and painful grip of what I see as “wrong ideas and inappropriate ideology of development” (Abhuere 2023).
Just about the time you published your articles, other things of historical interest happened to expand the scope of these notes. Israel remained unrelenting in its genocidal expeditions to the Gaza home land. At home, a group of respectable citizens under the name of Patriots led by the highly respected Chief Emeka Anyaoku a former Secretary General of the Common Wealth paid a visit to Aso Rock Villa to press for the writing of a new constitution.
That was at a time when some citizens were staging a nationwide protest against what they call “bad governance and hardship” in the country. And the public was expressing much concern, anger and disappointment with the fat salaries or emoluments of lawmakers in Nigeria, which do not gel with the idea of a “more equal society” canvassed by you in one of the articles under reference.
I have evaluated the position of the patriots but unable to see how their proposal would assist the national cause and the charge of bad governance and hardship against the government or reduce the lawmakers’ huge pay. I have my reservation and shall discuss it in the course of writing these notes.
For me, something much deeper and more fundamental was needed, such as Tatalo’s idea of Nigeria “getting its act together” say by doing good governance, able leadership, effective management of resources, equitable justice, etc.
Perhaps even more urgent is the need for the government to come up with what the author called “socially responsive economic programme”
As hinted earlier, there would have to be ideological shift from what it is now – a harsh, soulless form, to something much more humane, accommodating and rewarding. In short, we need a shift from ideology of neo-liberalism to mixed economy in order to enable policies to wear human face.
To accommodate these diverse interests, these notes are divided into two parts. Part 1 concentrates on the issues raised by Tatalo Alamu, while part 2 is devoted to other sundry issues that are equally germane to the survival and progress of Nigeria and global peace.
The call by the author for “Nigeria to get its act together” with “socially responsive economic programme” should be taken seriously. It deserves urgent attention. The issues of his concern carry a sense of urgency. For this reason, I will start off with a consideration of this proposal and end it with a call for ideological shift from what it is now-Neo-Liberalism to what it should be: mixed-economy ideological approach to national development.
A call for Nigeria to ‘get its act together’: The need for better ideology of development
Nigeria is faced with many problems today. Perhaps the most acute of them is ideological problem. The country is faced with serious ideological crisis that has resulted in embarrassing shortage of supply of essential goods and services in the country. This has resulted in hunger, higher prices of available goods and services, higher cost of living, inflation, currency devaluation, high rate of unemployment, collective hardship, social unrest, and protest.
The starting point in dealing with the country’s numerous problems, especially underdevelopment problems of Nigeria, notably poverty, unemployment, insecurity, corruption, disunity is with the proper organisation of the country and its resources by the political elite. But we lack the organizational skills and ability as well as the ideological tool to deal with identified problems. This requires scaling up both the ideological and organizational skills and abilities in the country for optimal performance.
Lack of organizational ability
Nigeria lacks the organizational ability to mobilise available resources for growth and development. Her major problem is with the poor nature of organization on ground. It is about how available resources in the country have been used over time. The prevalent ideology of the country – neo-liberalism – excludes the state from economically productive activities thereby contributing to the problem of acute shortage of supplies in the country.
Organization can simply be understood as an “organised group of people with resources to achieve a common goal” or objective. This can be a business outfit, a church or a country. In management, organization is “the process of structuring, planning, and directing the resources and members of the organization to achieve its goal.
It is said to be an important function of management that “involves developing an organizational structure and allocating human resources and other resources of work to ensure the accomplishment of objectives” or collectively set vision. It is a tool to minimise waste of time, optimise “use of resources through meticulous planning.”
As experts have observed, good organization allows for “effective flow of communication amongst departments and control of activities at the workplace”. It “reduces confusion, conflict, duplication” and gives a clear description of what is to be done and how it should be done. In short it is important for “oganizing resources, jobs, staff, work_ and it is generally seen as the most important function of management after planning (study.com>learn>organizational, www.investopedia.com > terms >o…www.quora.com>what-is- the imp…)
Basically the problem of Nigeria has been the lack of ability to organize its resources. This includes ideas of development, ideological path or approach to economic management and production of goods and services, etc. For instance for over 40 years, we have failed to use the tools of the state to maximum advantage in the name of neo liberal market ideology.
For instance, looking back at the last Olympics in Paris, France, it is easy to see organizational shoddiness or lapses at work. Superior organizational ability explains why the US and China – two very populous countries dominated the medal table in the last Olympics held in Paris, France while Nigeria with its huge population and vast land could not win a medal- not even a bronze. There was no ideological bond and discipline to win.
Against the background of acute deficiency of organizational ability and disfunctionality of institutions of state, I agree with Tatalo Alamu’s call on Nigeria to ge t”its act together” and come up with “socially responsive economic programme”.
Towards this end, Nigeria needs a better ideology of development or some ideological shift from what it is now to something much better and more rewarding to our society. Precisely, Nigeria needs to adopt a mixed economy ideological approach to her nation building efforts. More on this later.
Ideological crisis
Perhaps the best starting point is to recognize that the country has been faced with acute ideological crisis over time, especially since the 1980s. And there can be no much progress without the correct or proper resolution of the crisis. A major problem of Nigeria has been wrong or inappropriate ideology of development.
The present purely market-driven approach to the management of the economy which was imposed on the country by the military government in the mid-1980s on the pressure of some Western institutions and leaders had disappointed the collective expectations of citizens beyond reason. It must be replaced with a better one.
The importance of appropriate ideology in nation building cannot be over-stressed. In a word, a good ideology is important in defining the pathway for a group of people, aids discipline, greater commitment to set goals and better organization of resources. That is why we are concerned with the kind of ideology in place in Nigeria today.
A wrong ideology can lead a group to disastrous consequences. From all indications, the present neo-liberal market ideology in Nigeria has been harsh, stifling and demotivating. It is a wrong one for the country.
Disadvantages of neo-liberal market ideology in Nigeria
The neo-liberal market ideology has many disadvantages in Nigeria. For instance, it excludes the state from business and weakens it from playing its leadership role in the development process of the country .Yet the state has more clout and easier access to obtain international grants for investible funds, credit facilities, more educated hands than most private investors. Yet the state was created to provide security of life and property and to develop society. The current neo-liberal ideology is not in tune with our communal way of living in Nigeria but onlly an advance of western core value of individualism.
Also it has been heavily associated with exploitation, corruption, an uncaring attitude to the poor and weak, and exhibit injustice in the distribution of resources. It is largely about the survival of the fittest with little or no regard for the low and unfit. It promotes greed and had indeed disappointed the country badly leading to protests, strikes, hardship and shortage of supplies.
Lest we are misunderstood, we are not saying that the Neo-Liberal ideology has not worked for some people or countries. What we are saying is that it has not lived up to our collective expectation in Nigeria. In other words, it is not that the Neo-Liberal carpitalist market model has been bad everywhere or not produced success elsewhere. The fact is that it has not served Nigeria’s cause or purpose well. This has been the major problem with neo liberalism in Nigeria. It breeds anti-people development policies that lead to hardship and protest.
It will be recalled that when the neo liberal market ideology was imposed on Nigeria through the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) in the mid1980s, its proponents who rejected the recommendation of the Political Bureau for the nation to toe the socialist path promised El-Dorado for the country. But so far -after about forty years of its steady application, the capitalist market model has only landed us in Golgotha-the land of skulls perhaps for crucifixion and fed us with gull instead of honey.
Its shock therapies had shocked many to death and caused much dislocation, instability, misery and agony in the country. Its awful effects led to the last nationwide protest in Nigeria. That is why it should be changed or improved with some populist policies or what Tatalo Alamu refers to as “socially responsive economic programme”.
Importance of ideology in nation building
As observed earlier, the importance of appropriate ideology in nation building cannot over- stressed.As I have explained elsewhere, the nature of the prevalent ideology is important because of “its power of collective action and discipline” and its influence on policy making and direction.
As a “set of political beliefs or ideas that characterize a particular culture”, ideology informs the basis of policy making and actions of society. It can can also be understood as a “collection of shared ideas, values and beliefs which inform the way some people live and the decisions they make and their actions”.
To this extent, ideology is important in defining the pathway for a group of people. And that is why we must be careful in choosing or toeing any ideological path because of its critical role in society. The goal is to adopt a correct or an appropriate ideological approach to national unity, development and survival.
There are reasons to argue that not much care was taken in the national interest in mid 1980s to adopt the present neo-liberal capitalist ideology by the Military government with its very hurtful Structural Adjustment Program. It was a military imposition reflecting the pet values of some few top military officers under the influence of some external forces and western propaganda.
Among others it led to the devaluation of the Naira, privatization of many public enterprises, commercialization of of services, many jobs losses, general hardship as a result of high cost of living.The path way to hardships and instability has been laid.
Before that time, Nigeria practiced an ideology of mixed economy- a hybrid of socialism and capitalism. It was suitable and convenient as we operated under the Non- aligned movement by countries which wanted to avoid a severe knock by either the USA or USSR(now dissolved) -two hostile fierce fighters of the cold War at the time. It was also suitable to our ordinary communal way of living that enables individuals to do business as well as being their brothers’ keepers.
Monopoly of trade is bad for society.
In a way, the neo-liberal ideology had held a monopoly position in Nigeria since the mid 1980s. Monopoly of trade is bad. Ideological monopoly of people mind and way of life is even worse especially it produces hurtful consequences for society always. That is why I do not like either the monopoly of the market(capitalism) or the monopoly of the state (socialism) in business.
It is not that either of them had failed in producing the desired results everywhere. No each had its own peculiar blessing. For instance both the USA a largely market driven economy, and China a state driven economy did very well in the last Olympics in France. It would appear from history that the success or failure of any ideological approach depends largely on the quality of leadership, management, governance and organizational skills and ability available.
However some of them are better or more specific and suitable to some areas than others. Apart from the fact that Nigeria has been highly deficient in leadership, management and governance, justice skills and abilities, the truth is that unless combined, either capitalism or socialism is unfit and unsuitable for Nigeria.
Ordinarily, I do not mind any ideological orientation in place as long as it is not against national interest, the health and happiness of citizens and their active participation in the development process of society. This has been the problem of the country : its current ideology of development has been largely injurious to the nation’s interest.
The neo-liberal capitalist ideology has been deeply hurtful to the interest of the country and injurious to the happiness and welfare of citizens. History shows the weakness of socialism if not tamed. It easily assumes totalitarian garb and curtailment of human rights.
Adoption of mixed economy ideological approach
The lessons of history and experience suggest that we adopt a mixed economy ideology today.The country has been faced with acute ideological crisis over time especially since the 1980s. Based on the dismal failure of neo-liberal ideological approach to lead or guide the country to the achievement of set goal in general and its proneness to crisis and instability, Nigerian leaders should change their ideology of development to mixed Economy ideology and ideological approach to the management of the country.
This has many advantages. For instance, it will allow for the better mobilization and utilization of resources for nation building including the instrument of the state which had be in slumbering limbo for the past four decades.
The idea to relegate the state to the background of nation building remains a serious ideological mistake till date. It was made by our leaders largely because of the undue pressures from western leaders, financial institutions and their relentless Press propaganda.
There was the repeated falsehood preached and popularised by British and American leaders such as Mrs Margaret Thatcher-a former Prime Minister of Britain and Mr Ronald Reagan – a former President of USA to the effect that the “state has no business with doing business”. It became the sing song of many countries including Nigeria, But the leaders were only just being ideological as ideologues of capitalism.
Properly understood the state was created to lead the development of society. This includes doing business if deemed necessary.
As studies have shown the state “played leading role in laying the economic foundation of the United States of America” after Independence.
In Europe the state as represented by Monarchy sponsored most of the exploration expeditions abroad in the earlier centuries that boosted trade at home. . And today the state is still active by filling up the gaps the private investors are unable or unwilling to close. Society is large or big enough to accommodate all comers-state and private investors.
The role of the state ought to be more self-evident in the former colonial countries that are today independent for a number of reasons including (a) weak capitalist structure and financial institutions in these countries, (b)scanty population of entrepreneurs/ investors, (c) difficult access to credit facilities (d) mountains of under development problems, large scale poverty, high level of unemployment, insecurity, huge infrastructural deficiency etc.
Without the leadership of the state how would the difficult tasks of nation building and development be accomplished? Common sense should show us the way to go and not the unholy advice from abroad.
Development was at the roots of the decisions to form a state and create a government to carry out its decisions. The social contract theory of the state in which individuals reportedly decided to give up some of their power to the state for the collective good of all in society approximates this idea most here.
The role of the state cannot be same for all countries. The needs of each country should define the role which the state should play in it . However in a poor, non- industrialized countries such as Nigeria the state should lead in the development efforts aimed at creating wealth and other opportunities for the common good of society, well being and happiness of the citizens.
In particular the state should ensure the security of life and property, law and order and welfare of the citizens. It is the most effective tool for nation building, unity and development of such developing societies. It is expected to ensure opportunities for the employment of citizens, fight poverty, under development, and do things that the private investors are unwilling to do, lacks the resources or not attractive to invest in.
The Nigerian state needs to play a more active role in the development of the country than presently obtains. More specifically, the state :should be boldly involved in business activities. It should invest in high risk businesses and in the more difficult areas of the country . It should invest heavily in Agriculture, infrastructure and maintain existing amenities.
Today Nigeria should discourage any form of monopoly either of the state or market/private sector. Unlike in the past when it used political and nepotistic considerations in appointing managers to run public enterprises, knowledge, skills, competence, experience and track record of individuals should inform decisions about such appointments.
The economy should be free and open to all comers. President Tinubu should learn to spice up his development policy with rconsizable doses of populism . He should in the name of the state invest in profitable ventures to be manned by the best hands and brains in the field.
As suggested earlier, rather than Thatcher and Reagan,
Tony Blair of Britain and Bill Clinton of the US should be his model here. He should learn from the approach of both remarkable leaders how to do both socialism and capitalism at the same time seamlessly.
To avoid harsh knocks from ideologues in Europe and America, he should emphasize that Nigeria is a member of Non aligned nations . This is necessary for him to do because of the return of the ” cold war” with the advent of President Putin of Russia in the international scene. The world has become more ideologically conflictive and dangerous.
There should be no barriers to participation. Anyone who is fit and willing including the state should be free to invest in all the sectors of the economy without bureaucratic barriers or bottle-necks. The economy should be open to all on equal basis. It is large enough to accommodate all comers .
Do things that make nations great
Above all, Nigeria must learn to do those things that make nations great.These include good government, good governance, nourishing ideology of development, public accountability, zero tolerance for corruption, high moral and ethical standards, patriotism, inclusiveness of communities, maximum citizenry participation, respect for the rule of law, able leadership, effective management, equitable justice, organizational ability etc.
