More than 300 Nigerian schoolboys were reunited with their families last weekend, days after they had been abducted by kidnappers from their dormitory in the country’s north-west. The kidnapping revived memories of the 276 Chibok schoolgirls abducted in Borno state in 2014. Just as then, Boko Haram, the militant Islamist group, claimed responsibility. 

The government insists no ransom was paid. Scepticism is warranted. In a country going backwards economically, carjacking, kidnapping and banditry are among Nigeria’s rare growth industries. Just as the boys were going home, Nigerian pirates abducted six Ukrainian sailors off the coast. 

The definition of a failed state is one where the government is no longer in control. By this yardstick, Africa’s most populous country is teetering on the brink.

President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 pronounced Boko Haram “technically defeated”. That has proved fanciful. Boko Haram has remained an ever-present threat. If the latest kidnapping turns out to be its work, it would mark the spread of the terrorist group from its north-eastern base. Even if the mass abduction was carried out by “ordinary” bandits — as now looks possible — it underlines the fact of chronic criminality and violence. Deadly clashes between herders and settled farmers have spread to most parts of Nigeria. In the oil-rich, but impoverished, Delta region, extortion through the sabotage of pipelines is legendary. 

Extortion is a potent symbol for a state whose modus operandi is the extraction of oil revenue from central coffers to pay for a bloated, ruinously inefficient, political elite. Security is not the only area where the state is failing. Nigeria has more poor people, defined as those living on less than $1.90 a day, than any other country, including India. In non-Covid-19 years, one of every five children in the world out of school lives in Nigeria, many of them girls. 

The population, already above 200m, is growing at a breakneck 3.2 per cent a year. The economy has stalled since 2015 and real living standards are declining. This year, the economy will shrink 4 per cent after Covid-19 dealt a further blow to oil prices. In any case, as the world turns greener, the elite’s scramble for oil revenue will become a game of diminishing returns. The country desperately needs to put its finances, propped up by foreign borrowing, on a sounder footing. 

In its three remaining years, the government of Mr Buhari must seek to draw a line in the sand. It must redouble efforts to get a grip on security. It also needs to restore trust in key institutions, among them the judiciary, the security services and the electoral commission, which will preside over the 2023 elections. 

More than that, Nigeria needs a generational shift. The broad coalition that found political expression this year in the EndSARS movement against police brutality provides a shard of optimism. At least Nigeria has a relatively stable democracy. Now Nigeria’s youth — creative, entrepreneurial and less tainted by the politics of extraction — should use that system to reset the country’s narrative.

A new, slimmed-down state — ideally one with fewer, bankrupt regional assemblies — must concentrate on the basics: security, health, education, power and roads. With those public goods in place, Nigeria’s young people are more than capable of turning the country round. At the present trajectory, the population will double to 400m by 2050. If nothing is done, long before then, Nigeria will become a problem far too big for the world to ignore.



https://www.ft.com/content/9abc218d-3881-4bfd-8951-e76336cde94f

How is this a breaking news....

hush15:
How is this a breaking news....

Op might not know they say this every year yet we are still here, resilient as ever.

THE CABAL, THE DSS, THE IGP, THE SERVICES CHIEFS, FRSC ETCETERA ARE MISRULING NIGERIA.

hm

Is Nigeria truly a failed state? Click like for YES, share for NO.

Which year Nigeria sat for exam?

let everyone go their way, even with everyday happenings on this forum, it shows we are not United

If I am going to be honest with you,in my own humble opinion without being sentimental of course, without offending anyone who thinks differently from my own point of view,but also by looking into this matter in distinctive perspective, I would like to say I have nothing to say

You know what... this nation cannot divide

richiemcgold:
Is Nigeria truly a failed state?
Let's do a quick poll here. Click like for YES, share for NO.

Let's do a quick poll here!

Should you be taken to yaba left for asking this silly question?.

Click for Yes , share for No

Perhaps FT should at this moment concentrate on the already divided American society where blacks suffer health challenges out of fear of the police while whites enjoy a lot of privilege.
Obama and western media interference in Nigeria elections is part of the problem we are facing today, so teacher FT don't teach me nonsense

What a pathetic state we found ourselves.

Tell us something more recent and surprising please

budaatum:

Op might not know they say this every year yet we are still here, resilient as ever.

You might still be here. But thousands are dead in Middle Belt and South. Are you abroad? Because nobody who cares about the PEOPLE of Nigeria will be happy to see Nigeria remain One Nigeria.

Fortune118005:
You know what... this nation cannot divide

If you're smart you would have already known it's already dividing in your very before.

It is avoidable only if the Fucracy will understand.
Attack dog Lai Muhammed would soon come to refute and call the messenger angel of doom instead of looking at the suggestions given.
May God help us.
.

Go back and read the article again. Your country is growing more and more wretched and impoverished with each passing year.

I know Federal Government workers who are being owed 2 months salaries, which has never happened before in the country's history because it used to be only state and local governments that lack the ability to pay their workers.

2021 is going to make 2020 look like experimental practicals.

budaatum:

Op might not know they say this every year yet we are still here, resilient as ever.

“The economy has stalled since 2015 and real living standards are declining.”

This year, the economy will shrink 4 per cent after Covid-19 dealt a further blow to oil prices.

The absolute truth and nothing but the truth

Ike gwuru!!

NONSENSICAL. What would you lot say about America

Nigeria has failed and there is no other way but disintegration. Project Lord Lugard turned out to be a complete and utter disaster

Extortion is a potent symbol for a state whose modus operandi is the extraction of oil revenue from central coffers to pay for a bloated, ruinously inefficient, political elite.

Nigeria has more poor people, defined as those living on less than $1.90 a day, than any other country, including India. In non-Covid-19 years, one of every five children in the world out of school lives in Nigeria, many of them girls.The economy has stalled since 2015 and real living standards are declining.

"..Nigeria is a failed state- plagued by its inept rulers, corruption, socio-economic problems, ethnic rivalry and acrimonious rancour.Agitation for separation is not from Igbos alone.Yorubas are calling for the Oduduwa Republic.

Buhari’s blatant nepotism in favour of his Fulani clan, alienation & dissatisfaction among the other various constituents of the Nigerian federation have exacerbated agitation for break up.As things continue to fall apart in this long troubled nation, the centre cannot hold. Break up is assured!.."
http://saharareporters.com/2020/06/11/%E2%80%98buhari-makes-nigeria-most-dangerous-country-world-christians%E2%80%99-bayo-oluwasanmi

ThatFairGuy1:
NONSENSICAL.What would you lot say about America

Nigeria will never near America even in 100 years time to come.The damage the past leaders( especially the northern military leaders) have wreaked on the nation will take eternity to reverse.

otosa:
Which year Nigeria sat for exam?

Since 1960 when she was supposed to have start her development.Alas! NIgeria today is not even a third but a seventh world country. Nations we attain independence together have long left us behind.

More than that, Nigeria needs a generational shift.The broad coalition that found political expression this year in the EndSARS movement against police brutality provides a shard of optimism.

Now Nigeria’s youth-creative, entrepreneurial and less tainted by the politics of extraction should use that system to reset the country’s narrative.

Nigerian youth-rise up and fight for a change.Generation next.

Total disintegration of Nigeria is inevitable! Disintegration is a reality that's going to happen with time, but buhari's fulani regime is already doing a good job providing the needed 'Catalyst' to speed up Nigeria's disintegration process.
For that we should be thankful to the fulani regime.

Buhari and APC only bring poverty anywhere they are.

Racoon:
Since 1960 when she was supposed to have start her development.Alas! NIgeria today is not even a third but a seventh world country. Nations we attain independence together have long left us behind.

Nigeria is not created to progress or develop as a Country but as a geographical expression.

budaatum:

Op might not know they say this every year yet we are still here, resilient as ever.

May lizard climb on your children head, amen

ThatFairGuy1:
NONSENSICAL. What would you lot say about America

What happened in America was an exception. Don't compare it with the nonsense that has become the rule in Nigeria.

DeltaFire:


You might still be here. But thousands are dead in Middle Belt and South. Are you abroad? Because nobody who cares about the PEOPLE of Nigeria will be happy to see Nigeria remain One Nigeria.

So, you are doing everything to split Nigeria and are complaining that you are suffering?

Do you not think your suffering has anything to do with your destruction?