How the growing pandemic is threatening stability in Africa’s largest nation
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Even though Nigeria still has a relatively low number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of this moment, the chaos that has gripped the country and the delight among some that the virus seems to have only effected the rich continue to show the distrust and disconnect between the nation’s elites and ordinary citizens. Africa’s largest nation has long been looked too as a prediction of what direction the continent is headed in terms of stability and public trust in government. There had been signs of hope with the peaceful transfer of power that occurred when opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari won the 2015 Nigerian presidential election. The outbreak of this global pandemic however, reminds everyone they still have a long way to go.
For starters, the government only spends 4.5% of the national budget on health, falling well short of the goal of 15% set nearly two decades ago by the African Union. Many of the nation’s rich and powerful still travel abroad to receive important medical care while the rest of the nation still must deal with an inadequate health system. Combating “medical tourism” was something Buhari pledged to do but it is something he himself has engaged in several times since being elected president. As the country began lock-downs earlier this month it has led to major suffering by the nation’s poorest and a sharp rise in crime in some areas. Nigerian police have long been viewed has corrupt and incompetent. The virus has only enhanced this view. People have resorted to forming their own armed neighborhood patrols to try and fight the rise in crime during the lock-down. The military has shown its continued problems also. Independent human rights observers have reported that Nigerian security forces have killed several people over the past few weeks while enforcing the lock-downs. The military, which ruled the country for many years is still one of if not the most powerful institutions in the country. While things have improved since civilian rule was re-instituted in 1999, they have come under criticism and for their continued participation in undemocratic actions such as repression against political opponents and activists as well as extrajudicial killings. They have also been met with criticism for failing to deal with the long term insurgency in the northern part of the country led by extremist groups such as Boko Haram as well as failing to adequately address Nigeria’s rampant kidnapping problem by organized crime groups. All these problems are in danger of getting worse under the lock-down. The security forces must improve if they end up dealing with more serious situation.
The President Muhammadu Buhari has been a polarizing and controversial figure for Nigeria. He himself was one of the former military rulers who led the country from 1983 to 1985. Ironically enough it was he who ended the last attempt at democracy with his 1983 coup. He claims to now be a committed democrat, but his presidency has been met with a mixed response. Buhari has long claimed to be a crusader against corruption which has been one of Nigeria’s biggest problems when it comes to achieving true democratic progress. His administrations actions at times however have led to accusations of hypocrisy. Critics say that his efforts usually only target perceived political opponents and that he turns his back on corruption from those seen as more loyal. Buhari has already taken actions in his presidency to undermine the separation of powers like side stepping the judiciary, dismissing judges and jailing critical journalists all in the name of national security. Could he use this pandemic crisis as an excuse to further erode democracy? A major crisis like this presents an opportunity.
Another problem the coronavirus highlights for Nigeria is the lack of progress that has been made in diversifying its economy. Nigeria primarily relies on oil as its main source of revenue. Although there have been some steps to diversify, corruption has largely stalled these efforts. The oil industry has been hit particularly hard worldwide during the pandemic. If oil prices continue to plunge it could lead to even greater suffering that the Nigerian government may be ill equipped to address. Many poor Nigerians rely on small informal business and without income during the lockdown many will and already have continue to risk defying stay at home orders to try and make a living rather than go hungry. This is cause for great concern at a time when social distancing is needed. Charities and food banks have tried to step up to help these lower income families where the government has failed to do so but they are quickly being overwhelmed. The government has taken some actions to release supplies and reserves of food but if the virus continues to spread it may not be enough for many who need relief right away.
This outbreak threatens Nigeria’s already fragile democracy and its weak infrastructure. A widespread pandemic like this could lead to an undoing of years of progress in the nation and the continent at large. More efforts are needed from the regional and international communities to prevent this. Nigeria the leading country on the continent in terms of size and economic power needs to set a better example and be a beacon of hope to Africa.
References
- Adebayo, B., & Busari, S. (2018, May 8). Nigeria’s President Buhari heads to UK for more medical treatments. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2018/05/08/africa/nigeria-buhari-medical-leave/index.html
- Coronavirus: Why some Nigerians are gloating about Covid-19. (2020, April 23). Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-52372737
- Emoruwa, A. (2019, February 8). Nigeria’s democracy is fading away. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/nigeria-democracy-fading-190207144830804.html
- Kazeem, Y. (2020, April 24). Ordinary Nigerians are filling the country’s major social welfare gaps amid coronavirus. Retrieved from https://qz.com/africa/1843839/nigerias-coronavirus-lockdown-is-hitting-poor-families-hard/
- Nigerian citizen: I prefer to die from Covid-19 than hunger – CNN Video. (2020, April 21). Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2020/04/21/nigeria-africa-coronavirus-covid-19-lockdown-restrictions-livelihood-busari-lkl-intl-ldn-vpx.cnn/video/playlists/coronavirus-intl/
- Nigerian security forces killed 18 people during lockdowns: rights panel. (2020, April 16). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-nigeria-security/nigerian-security-forces-killed-18-people-during-lockdowns-rights-panel-idUSKCN21Y272
- The Abuja Declaration: Ten Years On. (2016, April 7). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/healthsystems/publications/abuja_declaration/en/
- photo credit to Afolabi Sotunde REUTERS
This post is very interesting and I’m glad I came across it. I often think about how in the United States, a country that boasts about our economy and healthcare system, there is now much realization of the inadequate healthcare system. I feel as if our healthcare system has failed Americans and how we really were not prepared for any crisis of this caliber. This post makes me realize how it is showing holes in every other nation as well. For nations, such as Nigeria, that are not as stable as more developed ones, this pandemic is revealing that they might not be as far on track to stability as they originally thought. The recovery from this pandemic will be hard for every nation, but especially those who already struggle with maintaining stability.
Thank you for your thoughts. I definitely agree.
This was definitely an interesting read. I always was curious how other countries, who are not as stable as the United States are doing during this pandemic. Mainly, because the United States is struggling during this health crisis and it makes me wonder what other governments are going through. It was also interesting to read about the other political problems in Nigeria and how is impacted the response to this pandemic. It was interesting to know that in recent years Nigeria only spent close to a third of what it was suppose to on health care. I agree the many countries will see the impact of this pandemic for years to come, and for countries who have made progression throughout the years will ultimately struggle to get back to where they were.
Thank you for your thoughts I am glad the article gave you insight on how other countries are having a hard time compared to the USA.
The title caught my attention. After reading it, I am glad I clicked on your post. I have always wondered how countries who are known to be unstable are doing. I think this shows that not even country is perfect. America claims to have the best of the best everything however we are falling apart in this crisis. I found it sad to think about how if America is falling apart other countries must be having a harder time. This virus has really shined a light on every government and how they are not stable. This is definitely going to effect governments and people for a long time not a short time. This will be put down in history books. I just hope that government officials learn from this and put a lot of time and effort into the second wave and preparing for other economy crushing things.
Thank you for your thoughts I am glad the article gave you insight on how other countries are having a hard time compared to the USA.
This post is very telling. It is so frustrating and quite worrying how Nigeria, and the rest of the continent, will survive this outbreak. Nations like Nigeria already have enough issues as it is, everyday. Government corruption, no jobs, no money, horrible healthcare, insufficient survival necessities, bad diplomacy, and the list goes on. To add something the Covid-19 makes it hard to tell what the future of these nations looks like. One thing I think these places have going for them is their low economy. I am from Eritrea, the economy and government suck, but since there isn’t much work it was quick and relatively more simple for everyone to isolate. And the nation isn’t losing much when everyone isolates. I have no idea what to expect for emerging countries, do you?