NIGERIA ON THE BRINK: FORMER MINISTER WARNS OF NATIONAL DISINTEGRATION

Chief John Nwodo, former Minister of Information and ex-President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has sounded the alarm on Nigeria’s deteriorating political and economic situation, warning that the country is headed for disaster if immediate and extensive reforms are not implemented. Speaking at a book presentation in Abuja, Nwodo painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s future, citing rising government debt, failing infrastructure, and increasing inequality.

According to Nwodo, Nigeria’s public debt stood at $94 billion (₦144.7 trillion) at the close of 2024, with an additional $24 billion in loans pending approval, which could push the total debt to ₦183 trillion. He described this as unsustainable, given the country’s shrinking capital budgets, rising inflation, and unreliable oil revenues.

“We are staring at a precipice, and if we don’t take drastic measures, we risk national disintegration,” Nwodo warned. He advocated for a return to agriculture, recalling Nigeria’s past economic success with groundnut pyramids, cocoa exports, and palm oil production. “The system collapsed due to military intervention and the adoption of a unitary constitution,” he said.

Nwodo also highlighted Nigeria’s low global life expectancy of 54.8 years, which is lower than countries like Chad, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic. He attributed this to poor healthcare systems and other socio-economic challenges.

The former minister further lamented the country’s deteriorating road network, citing reports that Nigeria loses over $1 billion annually due to poor road conditions. He proposed establishing a “Nigerian Road Army” to address the issue and improve the country’s infrastructure.

“Nigeria loses over $1 billion annually due to poor road conditions. We need to establish a ‘Nigerian Road Army’ to fix our roads and improve our infrastructure,” Nwodo said.

Nwodo’s warnings come amid growing concerns about Nigeria’s economic prospects, with many experts predicting a worsening economic crisis. His call for reforms echoes sentiments expressed by other stakeholders, who argue that the government needs to take bold steps to address the country’s economic challenges and prevent further decline.