Recently, The New York Times ran an article that highlighted how the governor of Nigeria's central bank was fired by Nigeria’s president in an episode that has shaken the Nigerian economy and filled newspapers and airwaves. He was investigating the oil corruption scheme — and had threatened to lay it bare at a meeting with Nigeria’s top bankers.

Nigeria is a black hole for the BLACK Gold; that is the reason why it is the poorest nation of all oil exporting countries, as per capita basis. 

Since the ‘black gold’ was discovered nearly 60 years ago, its attendant and resultant revenue and benefits have always found a ‘black hole’ for its disappearance. It is ironic that even when it has disappeared into private pockets, none of the illegal custodians have done anything big with it except owning houses in Europe and America and stashing some in foreign accounts.

It is never about the money but the attitude to it. When it comes to money, Nigerians have difficulty separating public money from private money. That is why Nigeria is run like the petty cash operation of whoever is in office. There is a blur between what is public and private.

It would have been a consolation for Nigerians if the stolen resources had been ploughed back into the local economy to build and develop industries. Of the 10 top sectors of the economy, there is hardly commensurate outcome to the magnitude of the stolen resources. Even while the military manned the leadership, Nigeria’s military facilities such as army installations and barracks are deplorable. While the proceeds of corruption can benefit a society while culprits are sought and tried, for Nigeria, proceeds from corrupt practices benefit foreign interests.

In the late 80s to sometimes in the 90s, South Korea was shunned and accused of growing giant conglomerates from illegal proceeds of its leadership. What happened? The country’s leadership, tired of getting slammed, went as far back as they could, tried all past leaders and convicted them. That singular act of South Korea’s leadership gave them impetus. The world opened its doors to their goods and services. Today, South Korea has joined the enviable clubs of corporate giants in most industries. Nigeria far better than South Korea in the 70s and up to mid 80s, is languishing and lagging in many aspects of its economy.

When corrupt money is laundered and cleansed, it is like Catholics and confession; ‘sins are atoned and forgotten’ and one may do it right or do it again. Nigeria and her leadership however never admit to anything even when caught red handed. One must accept where they are short and falling before remedies and solutions are offered. No Nigerians, especially those in power see their wanton abuse of public resources as corruption. They see it as ‘God has buttered their bread’ therefore, it is their turn to enjoy. This is why when they get into power, they build houses, mansions, cars, and engage in accumulating and wasting assets to impress ignorant people of how well they are doing. I wonder why anyone would feel proud to rob and steal from their people. That is what happens in the world’s most populous black nation. Any time a nation’s rich people are associated with those in power, that country is doomed. If one is looking for examples of public servants getting rich, Nigeria is a laboratory for such.

Nigeria’s leadership, when confronted with issues about corruption, scrambles and points to similar cases in other countries. Here is an example – when Nigeria leadership is confronted by the mail fraud called “419,” they justify it by saying that the foreigners duped deserve it. They overlook the undue impact it has created to damage the reputation of Nigeria and Nigerians globally. So there you have it – one must agree they have committed ‘SIN’ before they confess and seek redemption. Nigerians will not admit to anything, but instead seek lousy excuses to keep doing same things.

Money disappearing in Nigeria is not new. Go back to the early years after Nigeria’s independence when bookkeeper Festus Okotie-Eboh, became Finance Minister. He single handledly defrauded the treasury such that his wanton display of and abuse of public resources caught the attention of then Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kwan Yew, at a Commonwealth Ministerial Conference in Accra, Ghana. Lee Kwan Yew called his ministers and told them, ‘this is not how to serve one’s nation.’

As a consolation, skip over to organizations run by Nigerians overseas, here in US. They are laced and laden with corrupt practices. Hardly any organization run by Nigerians in America can stand the test of audit on judicious use of their membership dues and money. The charge of corruption is everywhere Nigerians tend to gather and organize. Therefore, the public officers learned before they practice from abusing their own people. What one sees at the national and or state levels, was already a practice at parochial organizations and village levels. It is such that at the national and state level, the take is bigger. 

It makes one wonder, if Nigerians who live abroad are so dysfunctional abusing their own organization resources, then who will bail the cat? Your guess is as good as mine or better. But prove  me wrong.

De eje nu.

Ejike E. Okpa
Dallas, Texas.