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A Nation on Its Knees: How Nigeria Crumbled Before Our Eyes

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A Nation on Its Knees: How Nigeria Crumbled Before Our Eyes. By George Omagbemi Sylvester

A Nation on Its Knees: How Nigeria Crumbled Before Our Eyes.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | saharaweeklyng.com

“Wake up Nigeria, we can not reclaim our throne when we are deep asleep on the job.”

NIGERIA (the land of vast potential, resplendent hope and a future once imagined so bright) has fallen into a quagmire of broken promises, shattered expectations and systemic decay. Once touted as Africa’s rising star, we now endure a reality of no reliable electricity, crumbling road networks, failing governance, a free-falling naira, insecurity and poverty levels that soar to new heights. In short: how can we reclaim the title of Giant of Africa when the foundations have collapsed?

What went wrong?
1. GOVERNANCE FAILURE.
At the heart of Nigeria’s decline lies the collapse of governance. A scholarly review noted that “despite being Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria faces governance deficits that hinder sustainable development and economic growth.” According to the same study, Nigeria’s power generation stagnated at 5,500 MW in 2023 while demand soared to around 30,000 MW. When governance fails to deliver the basics (power, rule of law, infrastructure) hope dies.

The former President of the NBA, Olisa Agbakoba SAN, warned that Nigeria can only reach a ₦500 trillion economy with “robust legal and institutional frameworks.”

We have the institutions on paper; what is lacking is integrity, capacity and political will.

2. ECONOMIC MISMANAGEMENT & OVER-RELIANCE ON OIL.
Nigeria’s economic malaise is not for lack of resources. The country is rich – in people, in land, in energy. Yet the so-called “RESOURCE CURSE” is very real. As one recent article summarised: “This study identifies political and administrative corruption, as well as low productivity, as key structural barriers to economic transformation.”
Our economy has remained overly dependent on oil, IMPORT-HEAVY and SHOCK-PRONE.

According to International Monetary Fund (IMF): “Between 2014 and 2023, real per capita GDP declined on average by 0.7 percent annually. In 2023 the poverty rate stood at 42 percent.” The naira crash, inflation and debt burden all result from decades of mis-prioritisation.

3. INFRASTRUCTURE COLLAPSE & SERVICE DELIVERY FAILURE.
How can farms prosper when there’s no road to bring produce to market? How can factories thrive when electricity is erratic and cost of doing business is punitive? Infrastructure is the backbone of growth and Nigeria’s backbone is broken. From dilapidated classrooms to degraded hospitals, with no street lights, neglected parks and streets, the promise of public service delivery lies in ruins. Education, for example, receives about 6 to 7 percent of the annual budget, far below UNESCO’s recommended minimum of 15 percent.

When schools are crumbling, teachers demoralised, classes crowded, the future shrinks. Health systems are overstretched; security infrastructure inadequate. In one study, “Effect of insecurity, no-one farms, output falls.”

4. SECURITY CRISIS & SOCIAL DISINTEGRATION.


You cannot build or grow in fear. Yet Nigeria’s security situation has deteriorated dramatically, insurgency in the North East, banditry in the North West, separatist violence in the South East, kidnappings and terror everywhere. The GOVERNANCE-INFRASTRUCTURE-SECURITY complex has collapsed. One article points to a “growing issue of terrorism financing” and noted that “137 out of 261 borders in the North-East and North-West remain unguarded.”

When citizens fear for their lives, investors stay away, agriculture shrinks and social capital bleeds away.

5. CURRENCY COLLAPSE, POVERTY SURGE & PUBLIC DESPAIR.
The currency is the barometer of trust in an economy. The fall of the naira, hyper-inflation, food insecurity, these are not merely economic metrics but human tragedies. In 2025, almost 129 million Nigerians were reported to live under the national poverty line; around 60 percent of the population.

And still we speak of “GIANTS”. A bigger statistical GDP does not mean new schools, new roads or new hope. As one expert warned after rebasing, the economy looked bigger, though it was “not more productive, nor more industrialised.”

Money is meaningless when schools are empty, clinics dilapidated and the streets unsafe.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?
The path to crisis is rarely sudden; it is built by years of neglect, bad decisions and compounding error.

After independence, Nigeria soared and hoping to be the model of African success. Oil money flooded in.

Instead of investing in infrastructure, diversification and human capital, elites chased rents, the institutions stagnated, corruption spread and oil-money dependency took root.

The roads were not built, the power plants were not completed, the schools were not upgraded. Governance became transactional. The public service, a career; accountability, optional.

Every crisis was met with bandaid (fuel subsidies, borrowed money, unsustainable spending) while the foundational work languished.

The economy remained fragile, when oil dropped, the rest of the system creaked. Export diversification (agriculture, manufacturing, services) was ignored or mis-managed.

Meanwhile security deteriorated: as poverty increased, marginalised youths turned to crime; state legitimacy waned; local grievances ballooned.

Now we arrive at a paradox, Nigeria has the youth, the land, the potential, but none of the trust, institutionality or infrastructure to harness it.

WHO CAN RESCUE US?
Rescue is not coming from outside. It must come from US (the citizens, the activists, the business owners, the churches, the societies) and the leadership we force to act.

POLITICAL LEADERSHIP WITH BACKBONE.
We need leaders who view their roles not as patrons, but as trustees. Leaders willing to discipline themselves, reduce wasteful governance costs and invest in the citizens. The NBA’s Agbakoba admonished that without “robust legal and institutional frameworks” Nigeria cannot achieve greatness.

A leader with moral authority, vision, discipline and one who prioritises the long game over short-term gain.

INSTITUTIONAL OVERHAUL & GOVERNANCE REFORM.
Formal institutions exist; what they lack is strength. We must build accountability systems, independent judiciary, transparent procurement, strong sub-national governments. As one article stressed: “Nigeria must prioritise transparency, accountability and inclusivity to foster national stability and prosperity.”

Real reform will destroy the rent-seekers and empower the productive.

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT & HUMAN CAPITAL.

A Nation on Its Knees: How Nigeria Crumbled Before Our Eyes.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
The giant awakens when his spine is rebuilt. Roads. Schools. Hospitals. Electricity. Parks. Mines. Farms. This is not charity; it is investment in the future. According to the IMF, Nigeria’s “real reforms can help Nigeria realize its potential as an African and global economic powerhouse.”

We can not wait for foreign capital; we must mobilise domestic capital, diaspora remittances, public-private partnerships and ensure the results reach the ground.

ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION & PRODUCTIVITY CULTURE.
Oil is not the future. Nigeria’s future lies in agriculture, manufacturing, ICT, service exports, renewable energy. We must shift from monoculture to multi-pillar productivity. A deeper study pointed out how “unproductivity stems from poor resource usage and lack of diversification.”

When we make something, we manufacture value, we employ our Youth, we transform from consumers to producers.

CIVIC AWAKENING & DEMAND-DRIVEN ACCOUNTABILITY.
No one will do it for us. Citizens must rise. Vote consciously. Demand accountability. Monitor budgets. Report looters. Build local associations. The Reddit-commentary is blunt:

“Nigerians are pretenders. They know they are a reflection of what their leaders represent.”

Indeed, the giant cannot stand while the people sleep. Civic duty is no longer optional, but imperative.

The Way Foward.
The path forward is clear, but the will is weak. Nigeria can be the Giant of Africa again, but not by default. It will require decisive action, brutal honesty, structural reforms and collective courage. We must stop treating crisis as normal. We must stop rationalising failure. We must demand better.

The blazing truth is this, the country that fails to govern its internal house cannot govern itself; the country that cannot provide roads, schools, electricity and security cannot dream of greatness. We are capable. We have the people. The land. The future.

Now we must muster the will. For without will, even the greatest of nations will shrink. Nigeria, it is time to wake up. Your giant is asleep and your future depends on whether you rise and shake the dust from his shoulders.

Published on saharaweeklyng.com. Author: George Omagbemi Sylvester.

A Nation on Its Knees: How Nigeria Crumbled Before Our Eyes.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester

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Adron Homes at 14: From Shimawa to Over 60 Livable Communities, Building Cities Beyond Estates

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Adron Homes at 14: From Shimawa to Over 60 Livable Communities, Building Cities Beyond Estates

 

 

Fourteen years ago, what began as a visionary real estate development effort in Shimawa, Ogun State, has evolved into one of Nigeria’s most recognizable housing success stories. Today, Adron Homes & Properties stands as a major force in structured urban development, with over 60 livable communities and estate dwellings spread across key regions of the country. Its journey reflects a deliberate mission that is not just to sell land, but to build functional cities where Nigerians can live with dignity, security, and a strong sense of community.

 

At a time when Nigeria faces rapid urbanization and an ever-growing housing deficit, Adron Homes has embraced an approach rooted in planning and affordability. From its earliest developments, the company adopted a city-building model that integrates structured layouts, accessible infrastructure, and community-focused design. Roads, drainage systems, green areas, and designated social spaces are incorporated into estate planning, transforming empty land into organized residential hubs.

 

The story of Adron’s growth mirrors Nigeria’s evolving urban landscape. Beginning in Shimawa, the company strategically expanded into major growth corridors, including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Abuja, Nasarawa, Niger, and beyond. Its estates have not only provided shelter but have also influenced the emergence of new residential districts, encouraging organized expansion and helping to reduce the challenges associated with unplanned settlements.

 

Central to the company’s success is its commitment to affordability. Through flexible payment structures and innovative housing initiatives, Adron Homes has opened the door to homeownership for thousands of Nigerians who previously considered property ownership out of reach. This democratization of housing has empowered families, strengthened communities, and supported economic growth through increased property investment and local business opportunities within estates.

 

Beyond physical structures, Adron Homes prioritizes community building. Estates are designed as living ecosystems where families interact, children grow in secure environments, and entrepreneurs find opportunities to thrive. The emphasis on social cohesion has helped transform residential spaces into vibrant neighborhoods, reinforcing the idea that housing development should nurture human connection as much as physical infrastructure.

 

As Nigeria continues to urbanize, Adron Homes’ model demonstrates that real estate development can be both commercially viable and socially impactful. Its projects serve as reference points for emerging residential corridors, attracting further investment and setting standards for organized development across multiple regions.

 

Celebrating fourteen years of growth and innovation, Adron Homes remains committed to shaping Nigeria’s urban future through sustainable planning, inclusive housing solutions, and community-driven development. From its humble beginnings in Shimawa to a nationwide network of livable communities, the company’s journey stands as a testament to the power of vision, resilience, and a steadfast belief that cities are built not just with structures, but with people at their heart.

 

Adron Homes at 14: From Shimawa to Over 60 Livable Communities, Building Cities Beyond Estates

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14 Years of Democratizing Landownership: How Adron Homes Is Redefining Mass Housing in Nigeria

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14 Years of Democratizing Landownership: How Adron Homes Is Redefining Mass Housing in Nigeria

 

 

For decades, homeownership in Nigeria remained an elusive dream for millions, restricted by rising rents, unstable housing markets, and mortgage systems beyond the reach of the average citizen. Fourteen years ago, Adron Homes and Properties Limited set out to challenge this reality with a bold and disruptive vision: to make land and homeownership affordable, accessible, and achievable for everyday Nigerians.

 

Founded on the principle that housing should be a right and not a privilege, Adron Homes has steadily emerged as one of Nigeria’s most influential mass housing developers. At the heart of its success is an affordability-driven model that prioritizes inclusion without compromising quality. Through flexible payment plans, low initial deposits, and extended installment options, the company has broken long-standing financial barriers that once excluded civil servants, young professionals, artisans, traders, and Nigerians in the diaspora from owning property.

 

Fourteen years on, this vision has translated into tangible impact across over 60 estates nationwide, strategically located in major and emerging growth corridors including Ibeju-Lekki, Lekki–Epe, Badagry, Shimawa, Papalanto, Sagamu, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Osun, Ekiti, Abuja, Nasarawa, and Niger State. Each estate represents more than infrastructure, it reflects Adron Homes’ commitment to decentralizing development and expanding access to property ownership beyond traditional urban centers.

 

Through this mass housing initiative, thousands of Nigerians have successfully transitioned from tenants to landlords, many achieving property ownership for the first time. Unlike conventional real estate models that emphasize exclusivity and luxury, Adron Homes has consistently aligned its offerings with the real income realities of the Nigerian population, ensuring that housing solutions remain practical, inclusive, and sustainable.

 

Beyond affordability, trust has remained a defining pillar of the Adron Homes brand. The company places strong emphasis on secure land titles, transparent documentation, and regulatory compliance, protecting subscribers from land disputes and fraudulent transactions. This focus on integrity has strengthened customer confidence and positioned Adron Homes as a dependable gateway to long-term wealth creation through real estate.

 

As Adron Homes marks its 14th anniversary, its mass housing journey stands as more than a corporate achievement but a national intervention. By restoring dignity, promoting financial security, and transforming thousands of property ownership dreams into reality, Adron Homes continues to play a vital role in shaping Nigeria’s housing landscape and building a future where more citizens can truly call a place their own.

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Deadline of Compliance: Nigeria’s Urgent Call for Tax Return Filing

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Deadline of Compliance: Nigeria’s Urgent Call for Tax Return Filing

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

“Shift or Structural Demand? A Declaration of Civic Duty in a Nation at a Fiscal Crossroads.”

In the unfolding narrative of national development and economic reform, few instruments are as defining as tax compliance. For Nigeria, a nation perpetually grappling with revenue shortfalls, structural dependency on a single export commodity, and entrenched informal economic behaviour, the Federal Government’s recent clarification on tax return deadlines is not mere bureaucratic noise. It is a deliberate and inescapable declaration: the social contract between citizen and state must be honoured through transparent, lawful and timely tax reporting.

At its core, the government’s pronouncement is stark in its simplicity and radical in its implications. Federal authorities, speaking through the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, have made it unequivocally clear that every Nigerian, whether employer or individual taxpayer, must file annual tax returns under the law. This encompasses self-assessment filings by individuals that too many assumed ended once employers deducted pay-as-you-earn taxes from their salaries.

This is not an optional civic suggestion, it is mandatory, backed by statute, and tied to a broader vision of national fiscal responsibility. Citizens can no longer hide behind ignorance, apathy, or false assumptions. “Many people assume that if their employer deducts tax from their salaries, their obligations end there. That is wrong,” Oyedele warned, emphasizing that the obligation to file remains with the individual under both existing and newly reformed tax laws.

The Deadlines and the Reality They Reveal.
Across the federation, state and federal revenue authorities have reaffirmed statutory deadlines in pursuit of compliance. The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, for instance, moved to extend its filing date for employer returns by a narrow window, reflecting the reality that compliance often lags behind legal timelines. The extension was intended not as leniency, but as a pragmatic effort to allow accurate and complete submissions, underscoring that true compliance rises above mere mechanical ticking of a box.

At the federal level, Oyedele’s intervention was even more fundamental. He reminded Nigerians that annual tax returns for the preceding year must be filed in good faith, with integrity and in respect of the law. This applies regardless of income level including low-income earners who have historically believed that they are outside the tax net. “All of us must file our returns, including those earning low income,” he stated.

Herein lies one of the most challenging truths of contemporary Nigerian governance: widespread tax non-compliance is not just a technical breach of law, it is a deep cultural and structural issue that reflects decades of mistrust between citizens and the state.

The Root of the Problem: Non-Compliance as a Symptom.
Nigeria’s tax culture has long been under scrutiny. Public discourse and economic analysis consistently show that a significant majority of eligible taxpayers do not file annual returns. Oyedele highlighted that even in states widely regarded as tax administration leaders, compliance remains strikingly low, often below five percent.

This widespread non-compliance stems from multiple sources:

A long history of weak tax administration systems, where enforcement was inconsistent and penalties were rarely applied.

A perception that public services do not reflect the taxes collected, eroding the citizenry’s belief in reciprocity.

An informal economy where income often goes unrecorded, making filing seem irrelevant or impossible to many.

Lack of awareness, with many Nigerians genuinely believing that tax liability ends with employer deductions.

The government’s renewed push for compliance directly challenges these perceptions. It signals a shift from voluntary or lax compliance to structured accountability, a stance that aligns with best practices in modern public finance.

Why This Matters: Beyond Deadlines.
At its most profound level, the insistence on tax return filings is about nation-building and shared responsibility.

Scholars of public finance universally agree that a robust tax system is the backbone of sustainable development. As the eminent economist Dr. Joseph E. Stiglitz has observed, “A society that cannot mobilize its own resources through fair taxation undermines both its government’s legitimacy and its capacity to provide for its people.” Filing tax returns is not a mere administrative task, it is a declaration of participation in the collective project of national advancement.

In Nigeria’s context, this declaration carries weight. With the enactment of comprehensive tax reforms in recent years (including unified frameworks for tax administration and enforcement) authorities now possess broader statutory tools to ensure compliance and accountability. These measures, which include electronic filing platforms and stronger enforcement powers, have been framed as fair and equitable, targeting efficiency rather than arbitrariness.

Yet the success of these reforms depends heavily on citizens embracing their civic duties with sincerity. And this depends on mutual trust, the belief that paying taxes yields tangible benefits in infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and social services.

Voices From Experts: Fiscal Responsibility as a Public Ethic.
Tax law experts and economists, reflecting on the compliance push, have underscored a universal theme: taxation without transparency is inequity, but taxation with accountability is empowerment. When managed with fairness, a functional tax system can reduce dependency on volatile revenue sources, stabilise national budgets, and support long-term investment in human capital.

Professor Aisha Bello, a respected authority in fiscal policy, notes that “Tax compliance is not a burden; it is the foundation upon which social contracts are built. A citizen who honours tax obligations affirms the legitimacy of governance and demands better performance in return.”

Similarly, a leading tax scholar, Dr. Emeka Okon, argues that “The era when Nigerians could evade broader tax responsibilities simply because automatic deductions occur at source must end. For a modern economy, every eligible citizen must be part of the formal tax fold not as victims, but as stakeholders.”

These authoritative voices point to an unassailable truth: filing tax returns is both a legal requirement and a moral responsibility, an expression of citizenship in its fullest sense.

Challenges on the Ground: Compliance and Capacity.
While the rhetoric of compliance is compelling, the reality on the ground demands nuanced understanding. Many taxpayers (especially in the informal sector) lack meaningful access to digital platforms and resources for filing returns. For others, the fear of bureaucratic complexity and perceived punitive enforcement deters participation.

The government, for its part, has responded by promoting online systems and pledging greater taxpayer support. Tax authorities are increasingly engaging stakeholders to demystify filing processes, explain requirements and offer assistance. This mix of enforcement and facilitation is essential. As one seasoned revenue specialist observed: “The state cannot compel compliance through force alone; it must earn it through education, simplicity and fairness.”

The Broader Implication: A New Social Compact.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s renewed emphasis on tax return filing transcends administrative deadlines. It is an unequivocal declaration that national development is a shared responsibility, that citizens and state must engage in a transparent, accountable, and reciprocal relationship.

Tax compliance, therefore, becomes far more than a legal act; it becomes a moral claim on the nation’s future.

When citizens file their returns honestly, they affirm their stake in the nation’s destiny. When the government collects taxes transparently and deploys them effectively, it strengthens not only public services but civic trust itself.

In this sense, the deadlines proclaimed by Nigeria’s fiscal authorities mark not an end but a beginning; the beginning of a civic epoch in which accountability replaces apathy, participation replaces indifference and national purpose triumphs over fragmentation.

The road ahead will not be easy. But in demanding compliance, Nigeria is demanding more than tax returns. It is demanding commitment and that, ultimately, is the foundation on which nations are built.

 

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