Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, recently underscored a critical message for Nigeria: unity must take precedence over the blame game if the nation is to overcome its longstanding challenges.
Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association Annual Conference held in Lagos, she addressed a wide range of issues that have hampered Nigeria’s progress since its independence over 60 years ago. Her keynote address, titled “A New Social Contract for Nigeria’s Future,” called for a collective effort to steer the country away from divisive politics and inconsistent policies, which have left the nation lagging behind its global peers.
Okonjo-Iweala began her address by highlighting the fact that Nigeria is not where it should be today. Despite being a nation rich in resources and human capital, Nigeria has failed to translate its potential into real progress. She emphasized that the nation’s development has been stunted by a lack of unity and a tendency to engage in endless political infighting. This culture of disunity has prevented Nigeria from building a strong, cohesive society capable of tackling its many challenges.
According to Okonjo-Iweala, the key to moving Nigeria forward lies in fostering a sense of unity among its citizens and leaders. She asserted that the country must shift its focus from assigning blame to taking concrete actions that address both current and emerging issues. This call for unity is especially important in a time when Nigerians are facing significant economic hardships, not just locally but also in the global context. Okonjo-Iweala stressed that these difficulties should not lead to recrimination or regret, but rather serve as a catalyst for coming together to advance the country’s interests.
In her speech, Okonjo-Iweala drew comparisons between Nigeria and other countries that have made remarkable strides in development despite starting from similar positions. She pointed to South Korea, Peru, and India as examples of nations that have managed to outpace Nigeria in terms of economic growth and development. These countries, she noted, were once on par with Nigeria but have since surged ahead due to consistent and sound policies. South Korea, in particular, was highlighted for its rapid industrialization and economic resilience. In the 1960s, Nigeria’s per capita income was comparable to that of South Korea. However, today, South Korea’s per capita GDP is 20 times higher than Nigeria’s. This stark contrast, Okonjo-Iweala argued, is a result of South Korea’s bold steps to diversify and grow its economy while Nigeria remained stagnant.
The importance of policy consistency and political will cannot be overstated, according to Okonjo-Iweala. She lamented Nigeria’s inability to sustain growth over the decades, attributing this failure to a lack of unity and a disjointed approach to governance. She recalled the early years of Nigeria’s independence, a time when the country had all the ingredients necessary for success. However, Nigeria has since fallen behind countries that were once its equals. Okonjo-Iweala reminded her audience that in the early 1960s, Nigeria’s per capita income was roughly equal to that of South Korea, but the two countries have since diverged dramatically.
She explained that South Korea’s growth was fueled by a focus on manufacturing and exports, which diversified the economy and led to sustained economic growth. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s export basket became increasingly dependent on oil, which has dominated the nation’s exports since the 1970s. This lack of diversification has left Nigeria vulnerable to the volatility of global oil markets, stalling its economic progress. However, Okonjo-Iweala noted that there is still hope for Nigeria. She praised ongoing efforts by the current government to diversify the economy, particularly in areas such as agriculture, critical minerals, and services like entertainment. These sectors, she suggested, have the potential to drive Nigeria’s economic growth if properly harnessed.
The theme of unity was woven throughout Okonjo-Iweala’s address as she continued to draw lessons from other countries. She pointed out that even nations with more modest growth trajectories, such as Thailand and Peru, have managed to outpace Nigeria. Thailand, whose per capita GDP was similar to Nigeria’s in the 1970s, now boasts a per capita GDP of $7,200. Similarly, Peru, which was on par with Nigeria in the early 1980s, now has a per capita GDP of nearly $7,800. Perhaps most striking is the case of India, which for decades had a per capita GDP well below Nigeria’s. Today, India has surpassed Nigeria in this measure and is now the third-largest economy in the world, one of the fastest-growing and most modernizing nations globally.
Okonjo-Iweala used these comparisons to drive home the point that Nigeria’s underperformance is not due to a lack of resources or potential but rather a lack of unity and consistent policy implementation. She cited economic growth expert Daniel Susskind, who has argued that GDP is correlated with almost every measure of human flourishing. In this context, Nigeria’s lagging GDP growth is not just a statistic but a reflection of the country’s broader struggles with poverty, education, and health.
A critical issue raised by Okonjo-Iweala was the “not-made-in-my-administration” syndrome, where successive Nigerian governments fail to build on the successes of their predecessors. This lack of continuity has led to economic stagnation, as new administrations often discard or reverse policies initiated by their predecessors, disrupting progress and causing further disunity. To overcome this, Okonjo-Iweala called for a new social contract in Nigeria—one that is based on unity, continuity, and a shared commitment to certain policies and principles that are considered sacrosanct, regardless of changes in administration.
She proposed that this social contract should involve a fundamental agreement across political parties and society at large. Certain key policies, she argued, should be maintained and upheld, even as governments change. This would help minimize the volatility of economic and social policies and set Nigeria on a steady path of growth and development. Such unity in purpose, she suggested, is crucial for building a prosperous and stable nation.
In his response, President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, acknowledged the numerous challenges facing Nigeria but assured that his administration is committed to addressing them. He emphasized the importance of transparency and clarity in governance, as well as the need to combat corruption, which has long plagued the country. Tinubu reiterated that his government prioritizes the welfare of the judiciary, recognizing its role in maintaining social order and driving economic development.
The President’s remarks underscored the importance of unity in governance, as he pledged that his administration would work tirelessly to overcome the nation’s challenges. He expressed confidence that with time and collective effort, Nigeria will rise above its current difficulties and achieve its true potential.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala’s message was clear: Nigeria’s future depends on unity. By coming together as a nation—across political divides and societal differences—Nigerians can create a new social contract that prioritizes consistent policies, collective action, and long-term development. This unity, she argued, is the key to unlocking Nigeria’s potential and ensuring that the country not only catches up with its peers but also takes its rightful place as a leader on the global stage.