A political coalition, The Big Tent, has raised alarm over Nigeria’s deteriorating state, citing widespread poverty, insecurity, institutional collapse, and the failure of the political elite as signs of national decline.
Speaking at a media briefing, Convener Professor Pat Utomi described the current situation as an “existential crisis” demanding urgent civic intervention and responsible leadership.
“We see Nigeria as a potential beacon of progress in Africa, much like the Asian Tigers once were,” Utomi said. “But to get there, we must confront uncomfortable truths and awaken to the reality of widespread suffering.”
He pointed to poverty as the most glaring indicator of leadership failure, revealing that 75% of rural Nigerians now live in chronic poverty. “Hunger is devastating communities,” he said. “The rural economy has collapsed—farmers are unable to work their land, while the political elite indulge in convoys, private jets, and luxury SUVs. It’s a complete moral failure.”
Utomi also warned of an impending food crisis, noting that over 30 million Nigerians could face acute food insecurity during the June–August lean season. He said previous warnings by agricultural experts in the coalition were ignored by the government.
As part of the solution, Utomi recommended structural reforms such as revising outdated land tenure laws, enabling universities to offer agricultural extension services, and developing agro-processing clusters.
“Just like land-grant universities revolutionized agriculture in the U.S., we need to reintegrate our academic institutions to lead innovation and provide practical support for farmers,” he stated.
Addressing the issue of insecurity, Utomi stressed the direct link between poverty and violence: “Poverty makes people vulnerable to recruitment by terrorists and criminal groups. We must adopt decentralized policing, allowing local governments and states to oversee their security.”
He further advocated for regionally driven economic strategies: “Each part of Nigeria holds unique resources—from cocoa in the South-West to lithium in the North-Central. But economic growth must be powered by the private sector, with government serving as a strategic enabler.”
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