6 decades after independence, Nigeria still faces utility, economic and security problems - Shehu Sani laments

Former Kaduna senator, Shehu Sani, has stated that Nigeria should not be referred to as the giant of Africa as there is nothing to be proud of in terms of the economy.

He expressed that being called the giant of Africa due to population while the country continues to face persistent issues, is a major concern.

Six decades after gaining independence, Nigeria still struggles with power, water, infrastructure and other challenges.

Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly and served as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, made these remarks to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday, May 2, 2024, in Lagos.

He spoke on the sidelines of the Inaugural Memorial Lecture of Prince Emeka Obasi, the late Publisher of Business Hallmark, title: ‘If this Giant Must Walk; Manifesto for a New Nigeria’.

The Senator emphasized that Nigeria’s problems are not caused by God but are self-inflicted.

“We are a nation of 220 million people and we pride ourselves as a Giant of Africa. Well, population is an asset, but what do we use that population for?

“We should be giant in manufacturing, giant in export; giant in shipbuilding; giant in car manufacturing; giant in information technology; giant in agriculture; giant in education.

“Nigeria is not there yet; we shouldn’t just be giant in population.

“But, why have we not found solutions to Nigeria’s problems up till today?

“It is over six decades since our political independence. Why should we still be struggling with power, water, infrastructure, about things which we could have addressed or what we should have addressed in the last five to six decades?

“I think the things we need to do for now is to prioritise our issues. We were a young nation, but we can’t call ourselves a young nation now.

“We have all the resources and all the manpower and all the opportunity to make this country great. We are not a failed state. God has endowed Nigeria with all that we need.

“Nigeria has everything God should give us. Where is the solution? The first thing is, Nigeria should address the security challenges we are facing today.

“I’m a bit impressed because progress is being made, but we need to bring an end to terrorists and bandits that are destroying our country, kidnapping our people.

“We need to make a heavy investment in agriculture. Nations of the world today don’t joke with agriculture. Why should a country with such a climate, with such arable land still be importing food?

“We need to address the problems of our education sector. Most of those in power today are products of public education. Today, we cannot take our children to the schools we attended.

“So why should that be, with all the resources that we have in this country, we can’t give our children the best of education?” he said.

Sani called for an investment in science and technology, emphasizing the need to rid the country of terrorists and resolve other challenges ravaging citizens.