We are back on the road to a national ID card project, once again. Back in 2003, former president Obasanjo, whose administration initiated the idea, said “the scheme [ID card project] will help government planning and to fight fraud and corruption”. The statement couldn’t have had more ironic implications…the project has proved to be nothing but a cesspool of scam, scandal and sleaze! Continue reading…
Nigeria: National ID card…who needs one?
Problem-solvers vs. politicians
I can’t readily think of instances of collaborative actions between the Nigerian government and the citizens and organizations in the private and nonprofit sectors working together as partners to accelerate innovative, results-oriented, and sustainable solutions to our nation’s social problems. One thing that is not very common—and really needed—in Nigeria is this public-private collaboration. Continue reading…
Stories about Ondo State and Intercontinental bank - what do I care?
Some 26billon Naira has been stolen from Ondo State account at Intercontinental bank according to reports from at least two media outlets, SharpedgedNews.com and Huhuonline.com. [Update, 7/25: here are screen shots of the articles on Huhuonline and SharpEdgeNews, click to view.]
What do I care?
I do care as a indigene of the state. I care because this is a serious allegation that needs to be proved convincingly by the instigators. However, there are no indications that the report is accurate. Continue reading…
Nigeria, problem-solving system and development
I once read somewhere that “development is the gradual emergence of a problem-solving system”.
Nigeria is fraught with problems, the tooth-achy type that seem to last for ever. Power failure, crumbling infrastructure, failing institutions, etc.
Half a century down the road, can one say Nigeria has developed over the year?
Has any problem-solving system emerged since 1960 when the Brits passed on the baton? Food for thought!
The GCFR award to the president: what’s the relevance?

Former President Shehu Shagari, decorating President Goodluck Jonathan with National Honour of GCFR yesterday after the council of state meeting in Abuja. Photo courtesy: STATE HOUSE PRESS/NEXT
I would think that conferment of honors is done in recognition of remarkable accomplishments and not simply because of one’s position. Continue reading…
Learning from Lagos slum dwellers

A Lagos slum
“Welcome to Lagos,” is a BBC documentary showcasing the experiences of three Lagos slum dwellers: Olusosun rubbish dump, where thousands of people live on, and rake a living from, scraps and garbage; Makoko, the “Venice of Lagos”, the extraordinary floating slum on the Lagoon, where everyone travels round in boats; and the 1000+ beach squatters living adjacent to the Atlantic.
It is a pity that the government and some Nigerians would rather not have the documentary shown; there are reports of protests from the government and pockets of Nigerians living in UK and USA.
The government states the documentary is “an attempt to bring Nigeria and its hardworking people to international odium and scorn”, saying, It’s a “deliberate distortion of life in Lagos, and totally unwarranted.” Very strong words to describe an excellent piece of work, I think. Continue reading…
A dysfunctional society
While hundreds of lesser known names have suffered similar and even worse outcomes in Nigeria, Alhaji Abubarkar Rimi’s manner of death is embarrassing and should be a wake up call to the nation administrators. Rimi was one of their kind; he was affluent and well-connected; he was a former governor and a former federal minister; and member of the ruling party.
A society that can not guarantee basic security of life and property is in serious trouble. This is the reality of Nigeria today. Continue reading…