There is a saying that Nigerians are one of the most resilient people on earth and can adjust to any condition they find themselves in. However, as true as these assertions may sound, current realities on the ground in the country are suggesting otherwise.
Nigerians are facing unprecedented economic and social challenges that have left many citizens vulnerable and praying for a glimmer of hope that the country’s fortune will be turned around.
Besides, these challenges have given rise to a raging debate whether or not Nigerians have the ability to make adjustments for hardship and sufferings – a controversial discourse that has been developing gradually and almost imperceptibly.
Analysts have pointed out that the ability to make these “adjustments” can either be a blessing or curse, especially if viewed through the prism of people’s experience.
Across the country, a litre of petrol is selling in the region of N1, 000 – something that would have been an anathema to Nigerians who used “Occupy Nigeria” protests to rattle the country for sixteen days following the removal of fuel subsidy, in 2012, by the government.
While inflation is above 30 percent, the naira, the country’s currency, is exchanging at the rate of over N1, 600 to $1. And judging by the current interplay of the forces and demand and supply, and also due to the floating of the naira, the rate is expected to go up
Nowadays, affordable electricity has kissed many Nigerians goodbye. The tariff paid by electricity consumers, especially those on the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s so-called Band A feeders, is, for want of a better word, outrageous.
Indeed, having their back to the wall, Nigerians – rich and poor, famous and unknown – lamented an excruciating hike, last April, in electricity tariff by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
“Since this government came into place, plans have been put on course that are repositioning us to glorious heights. So, I am positive that Nigeria will be great once again. But if they fail Nigerians, the people have the power to ensure that they do not retain power in 2031”
The increase sees Band A customers paying N225 per kilowatt hour from the previous N66, and despite the people’s plea for government intervention, succour has not come their way.
Notwithstanding the above-mentioned challenges – and there are many others – Nigerians have been riding out the storm and continue to maintain a proud face in the midst of difficulty and hostile environment.
This assumption is why many Nigerians will do anything to survive in Nigeria’s harsh economic climate.
A housewife, Amara Ugorji, said she cannot afford to buy fresh tomatoes in the market. According to her, she opts for cheaper, but near-rotten tomatoes, known as ‘esa,’ so as to “manage” her money.
“I no longer buy tomatoes and pepper in my neighbourhood. I live in Egbeda and these items are cheaper in the market.
“So, I go to ‘Ile Epo’ market at Abule Egba in Lagos State to buy tomatoes and pepper. But I don’t buy fresh tomatoes and pepper whenever I am in the market. They are still expensive for me.
“I buy ‘esa’ tomatoes. This is how I adjust to the economic hardship. The ‘esa’ tomatoes are not so fresh but they offer a possible choice. They are cheaper, too, and help me to manage my money.”
Ugorji’s strategy, including those of others similar to hers, has been interpreted by analysts to be not just a curse on Nigerians but what encourages the government to continue to ride roughshod over Nigerians.
It is argued that the government is aware that Nigerians have “shock absorbers” that mitigate people’s hardship and so their nonchalant attitude towards the people.
This may be what renowned journalist and television anchor, Rufai Oseni, tried to bring to the attention of his followers on X, formerly Twitter.
Oseni tweeted, “Most Nigerians love their oppressors. It is called Stockholm syndrome.
“Most Nigerians are not mentally free. They adjust to poverty so well and their leaders know (this).
“And those that speak for them are not appreciated. Emancipation from mental slavery is key.”
However, for Nigerians on the other side of the divide, they believe that the inherent ability of Nigerians to adjust to suffering or hardship is actually a blessing that makes them to excel, for instance, in foreign countries.
According to this school of thought, the ability of Nigerians to adjust to hardship is the motherboard that makes those who left the country for greener pastures to survive anywhere in the world.
This is why an individual who was a high-flying banker in the country can sacrifice his or her status and “soft life” to become a caregiver in Canada or the United Kingdom.
In the opinion of many, the fact that a man or woman is born in Africa’s most populous nation is a veritable yardstick of survival in any other country of the world.
Most families in Nigeria no longer eat three square meals a day. In fact, eating even a good square meal in the country has become a luxury for many struggling families.
Salaries, too, are no longer holding up. For many households and their breadwinners, salaries remain unchanged and cannot run a parallel race with skyrocketing increases in the costs of basic goods and services.
Moreover, for many more Nigerians whose places of work have managed to stay afloat, overhead costs have shot up, threatening the very existence of such businesses.
If these companies folded up, it is the ordinary Nigerians and their families that would suffer the most. And strangely, they would be expected to adjust to their new conditions.
Insecurity, too, has continued to dampen people’s spirits. In many states of the federation, bandits and murderous kidnappers have snuffed out countless lives.
But because Nigerians are known to adjust to misfortune, something adjudged to be a blessing; they mourn those deceased for a few days and quickly get back to their normal lives.
A public affairs analyst, Charles Ndubuisi, told The Point, “The government does not have a nonchalant attitude towards Nigerians because they know about people’s ability to endure hardship.
“As far as I am concerned, this government is taking people’s plight seriously. And even on a scale, this government is more compassionate than the last one.
“We have an economic problem in the country which was not caused by the current government, but the ones before it.
“Anyway, I believe that Nigerians will have a reason to smile soon.
And remember, too, that no condition is permanent.
“Since this government came into place, plans have been put on course that are repositioning us to glorious heights. So, I am positive that Nigeria will be great once again. But if they fail Nigerians, the people have the power to ensure that they do not retain power in 2031.”
Another contributor, Ifeoma Ogbonna, said, “I don’t know whether to be happy or sad about this, but our ability to adapt to suffering and poverty is a curse.
“It is true that it helps us to adapt or survive in multiple ways, but its disadvantages outweigh the advantages. People are frustrated with life in Nigeria and I won’t call that a blessing.
“More importantly, the government should concentrate on providing long-term solutions, not short-term solutions, to people’s problems.
“The government should wake up from its slumber. If you as a government, for example, is giving hungry Nigerians N25,000 every month as poverty alleviation, you will soon realise that it is not sustainable and a waste of resources.
“So, provide what will in the long-term benefit Nigerians.”
