Our parents' generation watched Nigeria's wealth disappear through "government projects." Are we really going to sit back and watch the same movie again?
Let this sink in: The Lagos-Calabar highway contract is worth N15 TRILLION. That's 30% our entire 2025 national budget, awarded without competition to a contractor who couldn't deliver on the Lekki-Epe project. If this doesn't alarm you, it should.
Let's Address Some Common Arguments similar to this screenshot.
"It's a PPP - Why Should They Disclose Terms?"
Here's the thing: Companies like Dangote, MTN, and GTBank are PRIVATE companies. Yet, because they take money from the public through shares, they must publish every major decision, contract, and financial statement. They're legally required to tell you how much their CEO earns!
Now think about this: If private companies must be this transparent just for taking your investment money, why shouldn't the government be transparent when spending YOUR tax money, YOUR oil revenue, and YOUR country's future? Make it make sense.
"Why Only Challenge Southern Projects?"
Ah yes, the tribal card – our politicians' favorite distraction technique. Here's the truth: We should be challenging EVERY project, from Sokoto to Calabar, from Maiduguri to Lagos. Your local government chairman building a "N500 million" toilet? Challenge it. A mysterious N15tn road project? Challenge it. Geography is irrelevant when it's all our money.
"But What About Past Mismanagement?"
Let's talk about "past mismanagement." In the 1970s, we had an oil boom so massive that our Head of State said money wasn't our problem, but how to spend it. Fast forward to 2024:
- We've borrowed $45bn+ in external debt - to fund God knows what (they will tell you this was for infrastructure)
- Our Naira has gone from ₦0.61 to $1 in 1980 to ₦1,400+ to $1 today
- Basic infrastructure is still a luxury in most parts of Nigeria - because for every N100 that went to 'infrastructure, only N20 went to infrastructure, the N80 went to "na my guy run this project"
- Our refineries have gulped billions in "maintenance" yet produce God knows what - again no accountability
And how did this happen? Through the exact same pattern we're seeing now:
- Non-competitive contract awards
- Zero transparency in spending
- "Emergency" projects that bypass due process
- "PPP" arrangements where only the public bears the risk
- Massive projects with no clear accountability framework
The N15tn coastal road project isn't just another project - it's history repeating itself while we watch.
"This is Just Politics - He's Only Doing This for Attention"
Interesting how demanding accountability is now "playing politics." Ask yourself:
- If your business partner refused to show you financial records, would you call it politics?
- If your bank won't show you your statement, would you accept "stop playing politics" as an answer?
Then why accept it from people managing our commonwealth?
What Can We Actually Do About It?
- Demand Annual Reports:
- Did you know the CBN hasn't published annual reports in 8 YEARS? Then we act surprised when our Naira crashes and we discover Emefiele was playing 'Monopoly' with our economy.
- Every government institution owes us regular reports. Your local government included. They're spending YOUR money
- Use the Freedom of Information Act:
- It's literally your legal right to request government contracts and MOUs
- Start small: Request the contract for that "renovation" in your local government
- Build up: Ask for major federal project documents
- They MUST respond within 7 days. If they don't, see point 5
- Follow The Money:
- Support investigative journalists
- Follow organizations tracking government spending - BudgIT is a good one.
- Share findings on social media
- Make noise when you see inconsistencies - they need to know people are watching
- Spread Awareness:
- Share procurement processes
- Teach others about their rights
- Normalize asking questions about government spending
- Call out opacity when you see it
- Use The Courts:
- Transparency alone isn't enough
- Legal action is powerful – look at how this coastal road case is making waves
- When officials realize that 50% of their dodgy deals will end up in court, watch how careful they become
- Support those taking legal action against corruption
Remember: This isn't about opposing development. It's about ensuring that when they say they're spending N15tn of our money, we're actually getting N15tn worth of road, not N5tn worth of road and N10tn worth of "na my guy run this project". Ov
Our parents' generation watched Nigeria's wealth disappear through "government projects." Are we really going to sit back and watch the same movie again?