Nigerians Hopeful Amidst Seeming Hopelessness

By Ranmilowo Ojalumo

On October 1, 2023, Nigeria as an independent country clocked 63, but the country’s age is a mere figure for now, there seems to be hardship on the street as more people are begging on the road daily which gives a signal that this is not the best of time for many Nigerians.

The sorry state of the nation’s economy is biting harder on the masses as of the time of this report. As of Wednesday, November 25, 2023, a bag of rice is 48,000-50,000.  A litre of fuel in Lagos is 570. In Gombe, The Factual Nigeria can confirm that a liter of fuel is sold for 680. A tuber of yam goes for at least 1,000. Derica of rice goes for N700, a Derica of beans goes for N800.

Transportation fare has gone up astronomically and as a result, many commuters have resorted to trekking part of their journey to their destination to save them little money.  As of the time of filling this report, a dollar to naira is oscillating between N900 to N1000.  The rate of inflation in the country has even created more fear in the hearts of many Nigerians than anything else, and there seems to be uncertainty concerning what will happen next.

In view of the disturbing state of the nation, many people are prioritising migration to other countries, the foreign embassies in Nigeria, especially the UK Embassy, are being flooded every day, from dusk to dawn. A visit to the UK Embassy at Etiebet House, Ikeja will give a signal that all is not well, or one will think there is another version of the Balogun market there.

What is however surprising is that amid the current hardship and uncertainty in the country, many Nigerians have expressed hope that the country will still get better, notwithstanding the current situation.

The Factual Nigeria launched a survey in October which was concluded in November 2023, to know what Nigerians think about the current state of the country. The findings from the survey however contradicted what anybody would have expected.

Rather than expressing hopelessness and being pessimistic, the results of the survey show that Nigerians are optimistic. They are hopeful that the country will get better. Many of the participants of the survey also believed that the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu would bring positive change to the country.

The survey covers the Federal Capital Territory and 10 other states of the federation which are Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Gombe, Katsina, Jigawa, and Abia. 1, 222 Nigerians participated in the survey. Out of the 1, 222 participants, 480, or about 39.2% of them fall within the age range of 41-50 years. 260, which represents about 21.3% of them fall within the age range of 51-60.

Also, 200, which represents about 16.4% of the participants are within the age range of 21-30. 180, which represents about 14. 7% of them are within the age bracket of 31-40.  Whereas, 80 of the participants, which represents about 6.5% of the total participants are 60 years and above.

As Nigeria turned 63 on October 1, 2023, out of the 1, 222 Nigerians that took part in the survey, 880, which represents about 72% of the participants expressed hope, that Nigeria will still become a good and better country. However, the remaining 340 people, which represent about 28% of the total respondents expressed hopelessness, saying the country may not get better.

The Factual Nigeria sought the opinion of the participants on what they think is the biggest problem facing Nigeria currently as a nation, only 160 people, which represents about 13% of the participants said the biggest problem facing Nigeria currently is corruption. 300 of the respondents, which represents about 24% of them said the biggest problem facing Nigeria currently is citizens’ bad orientation/ wrong mindset.

Whereas, 380 of the participants of the survey, which represents about 31% of the total participants said the biggest problem facing Nigeria is leadership problem. Another 380 of the participants of the survey, which represents about 31% of the total participants said the biggest problem facing Nigeria currently is bad governance.

When asked what the participants think is the solution to improve the current situation in Nigeria, 160 of them, which represents about 13% said eradication of corruption is the solution to Nigeria’s problem. 340 respondents, which represents 27.8% of the participants said good leadership is the solution to the nation’s problem, and another 340 which represents about 27.8% of the participants believe good governance is the solution to Nigeria’s problem. However, another 380 of the participants of the survey, which represents about 31% of the total participants believe citizen’s change of orientation/mindset is the ultimate solution to the nation’s problem.

Meanwhile, the majority of the participants were uncertain and not sure whether President Tinubu’s renewed hope mantra would bring positive change to the country, but many of the participants said yes, the renowned hope agenda would bring positive change to the country.

When asked if they believe that President Tinubu’s renewed hope mantra will bring positive change to Nigeria, 580 of the participants, which represents about 47.5% of the participants were not sure, they simply said maybe.

Whereas, 400 respondents, which represents about 32.7% of the participants were optimistic that the renewed hope mantra will bring positive change to the country. 240 of the participants, which represents about 19.6% said the renewed hope mantra cannot bring positive change to the country.

Meanwhile, the participants of the survey were not the only Nigerians who were full of hope that the country would still get better. The chairman of Silverbird Group, Sen Ben Bruce recently expressed hope in Nigeria and said every Nigerian also has reason to be hopeful.

He commented on his Twitter handle when he said “The Naira is gaining value. Flotation is succeeding. Fitch Ratings has affirmed that our economy is stable and growing. Our GDP is rated by Fitch and Standard and Poor’s to Brie by over 3%.

“The reforms are working. Nigeria’s economy is attracting foreign direct investment again. Our banks are declaring record profits. Things are looking up. Now, the Tinubu administration has to ensure that these gains trickle down to ordinary Nigerians. And policies like the ₦35,000 wage support and the introduction of CNG are a step in the right direction. There is reason to be hopeful as a Nigerian. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.