NIGERIA | A Collapsing Country?

Nigeria faces an unprecedented range of security challenges. In addition to the ongoing Biafran independence movement in the southeast, an insurgency continues in the Delta region. To the northeast, the country faces a brutal Islamist terrorist campaign by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Meanwhile, violent Muslim Fulani herders from the northwest are increasingly pushing into the central and southern parts of the country. On top of this, there are now signs that the southwest, which has tended to be more peaceful, is also facing growing security threats. This has led many to ask whether Nigeria should now be thought of as a failed state. Indeed, is it a collapsing country?
Hello and welcome! My name is James Ker-Lindsay. Here I take an informed look at International Relations with a focus on territorial conflicts, secession, independence movements and new countries. If you like what you see, please do subscribe. If you want more, including exclusive content and benefits, consider becoming a channel member. Many thanks!
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Nigeria gained independence from Britain in 1960. However, since then it has faced a bewildering array of security challenges. As well as a brutal civil war in the 1960s - the Biafran War - it has endured conflicts over oil and land resources as well as religious extremism. It is also mired in banditry, gang violence, vigilantism and many more localised ethno-national conflicts. And a major attack on a Catholic Church in the southwest suggests a dangerous new direction could be emerging. Worryingly, there is little sign that the situation is getting better. The security forces seem unable to handle the range of security threats the country faces. Looking ahead, there is little room for optimism as the government fails to address the huge structural problems the country faces. This includes endemic corruption, high youth unemployment, the growing effects of climate change and small arms proliferation. All of which contribute to the bleak security situation Nigeria faces.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Introduction and Titles
0:46 Nigeria's Security Challenges
1:56 Nigeria: Geography and Demography
3:10 Nigeria: British Colonial Rule
4:00 Independence and the Biafran War
4:42 The Delta Conflict and Biafran Separatism
6:16 Islamist Insurgency and the Herder Conflict
8:03 Insecurity in Southwest Nigeria
9:17 Nigerian Police and Army Responses
10:54 Structural Insecurity in Nigeria
10:56 Is Nigeria Collapsing?
RELATED PLAYLISTS
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FURTHER READING & USEFUL SOURCES
National Security Strategy 2019
ctc.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads...
Nigeria Presidency statehouse.gov.ng/presidency/
Nigerian Army army.mil.ng
This Place Used to Be Green (Niger Delta Conflict)
www.theguardian.com/global-de...
Nigeria: What Everyone Needs to Know amzn.to/3I4e6Lv
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KEYWORDS
#Nigeria #Security #Terrorism
#InternationalPolitics #CurrentAffairs #InternationalRelations
#Secession #Statehood #Independence
#BokoHaram #ISWAP #HerderConflict #DeltaConflict
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[@JamesKerLindsay]

Nigeria faces an unprecedented range of security challenges. And things seem to be getting worse. Where do you see Nigeria going? Which of the problems can it tackle and how? If not, will it even survive? Looking forward to reading your thoughts and comments below.

[@collydeecargos042]

We want biafra, try and talk about biafra

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I have already made two videos on Biafra. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpS0l6R6lK6diq8 and kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5aknoScaJaHm5o

[@Conservator.]

I had no idea about this. Thank you for making this video. I can only make the very general comment that corruption always slows down development and prosperity of a country.

[@FlamingBasketballClub]

Please do a future video collaboration with NewAfrica.

[@hayomidehrichies6201]

Try and talk about Yoruba nation 🥺

[@chirotn2595]

I wonder how my country Ghana would have been if we had been lumped together with Burkina Faso and maybe Togo and Benin. The country would have been in total chaos. Totally different ethnic groups with different cultures, religions, and mindsets. It makes me understand the case for Nigeria.

[@henryeghaghara9385]

The ewes in Volta region wasn't "lumped" into the state of Ghana?

[@mch7933]

@@henryeghaghara9385 Thats why today the Ewe are mounting pressure for their pull out from Ghana.

[@TheLocalLt]

@@mch7933 yep Professor Ker Lindsay did a video on the failed 2020-21 Western Togoland Rebellion. And the Wayback history channel also did a video about it

[@dejijames4516]

Thank your God you don't have the Fulani tribes. They are the ones doing the killings in Nigeria with the support of the federal government.

[@warfighter1988]

Being different is no reason tqo murder someone. You have a deeper issue

[@Lisbonese]

In my opinion I don’t think North and South Nigeria should’ve ever been united into one country. They are too different. They should’ve remained two separate nations. I think they would be much more successful.

[@jaybee4577]

Shut up and mind your business. You don’t even know what goes on in the country.

[@theballadofkobirae7431]

Not really, the reality most people from developed countries don't understand about the developing world don't understand is that Africa still suffers from resource shortages that the west last saw hundreds of year's ago. If you separate the 2 you have a mostly aris north without access to water a port and the majority of infrastructure in the south. The south is also dependent on resources from the north separating the just turns what was a civil was to a war between 2 states. It will take time, a government with a good hand and a hard fist to solve Africa's problems

[@oo--7714]

@@theballadofkobirae7431 what resorces in the North, I'm pretty sure most of the resources aka oil is in the south, the only thing the north has is the military.

[@sulaak]

@@theballadofkobirae7431 The South is not dependent on the Noth, Southern Nigerian can easily afford to import its needs and requirements. Right now Nigeria imports the majority of food despite the availability of arable land. Nigeria can never work and it is blatantly obvious that uniting Nigeria was a disaster.

[@emmy4949]

I think the problem the major problem is putting up a constitution that makes a part of the Nigeria appear to be better or have more importance that other parts of the country, generally driving inequality amongst the people.

[@harrisonbillions5411]

Point of correction. The Northern Nigeria are not the largest population in Nigeria. It's a political idea by the British government to grab power.

[@debbieyinka2653]

Truth. The northern part of Nigeria is sparsely populated. The 1963 census conducted by the British gave a higher population to the north. God will judge them all.

[@lifeis4living_]

Absolutely…tell them to conduct a true census

[@harunabello3639]

Have you been to the Northern Nigeria before?

[@chidinque]

He knows. But will keep up with the British narrative.

[@ojopagogo2859]

@@harunabello3639 you guys are more because you include your cattles and goats in the counting. Barawo banza.

[@businesshubs2559]

I am from northeast of Nigeria, we are been marginalized by the Fulani and the Muslims, they want to turn us to sleeves in our own state we demand justice to the killings that is going on everyday in Nigeria since the coming of president Buhari to power.

[@grzzz2287]

I lived in Nigeria for almost 10 years. There is only one reason for Nigeria's woes - corruption. It's pandemic, from the old lady selling bread to the president. In Nigeria, no one seeks public office to serve the people, they do it to serve their bank balance.

[@yohaneschristianp]

Same thing in Indonesia

[@jamesbond4810]

The video was less about corruption and more about islamic terrorism and seems like Nigeria has no answer to it.

[@HGsoul4ever]

@@jamesbond4810 They have an answer to it; the problem is that the President, who is Fulani, retired all the service chiefs of different ethnicities and replaced them with people of his ethnoreligious extraction. The military and police colludes with these people. Several towns or states have caught suspicious characters hiding in the forests with ammunition and when arrested, the Chief of Army staff or the Head of the Police gives an order for them to be released. It’s a very evil government. There’s a plan to Islamise the whole country.

[@jaybee4577]

Same with every country in the world. Mind your business.

[@nunosilva7505]

Sounds like South Africa

[@cokertimilehin2504]

As a Yorùbá man unfortunate enough to also be Nigerian, it's imperative that I let the international audience here understand that Nigeria is a failed British project. Many problems beyond the British cobbling these different peoples together exist but not a single one of them can be fixed without breaking the entity up. It's a tragic tragic place

[@molloyzer1]

Yeah it's always someone else's fault. I was watching a documentary about the Bloods and the Crips in LA and who's fault was that? The white man for not letting black children into the scouts, so they formed their own ''scouts" who were more interested in fist fights with other, rival "scout groups" than navigation, learning to tie knots etc. If it wasn't for us, you'd all be living in the great metropolis of Wakanda. :)

[@connormurphy683]

Why exactly do you say it needs to be broken up? Can nigeria not develop, or achieve stability, or hold corrupt politicians accountable as one country even if very decentralized?

[@connormurphy683]

Also, how do you propose to draw the borders? Everyone knows about Biafra, Oduduwa and Arewa but the big question is where will minority tribes end up? And what will happen to igbo traders in the north or hausas in lagos?

[@cokertimilehin2504]

@@connormurphy683 because there is a long history of toxic heterogeneity in the polity. us Yorùbá for example have had religious and territorial wars with the fulani before the British even came around. that's just one incidence across hundreds of years of inter ethnic hate between the constituent parts of the country.

[@cokertimilehin2504]

@@connormurphy683trade can happen in new entities. to oversimplify things, the Hausa-Fulani North can't develop on its own without wealth and capital from the South East and West and these two also need the North for cheap labouring and agriculture. as for minority tribes, the Yorùbá have only three indigent minority of note within its borders. they'll still be Yorùbá even if they're not part of a future Yorùbá country. every ethnic group should find its own solutions. some might even stick together, but it will be of their own volition. that's a choice the Brits never gave us

[@nuhalao]

I am still living in Nigeria. We suffer from corruption and lack of good honest, non tribalistic government. We have never giving unity a try in this nation. We are not one.

[@coshyno]

there is no such thing as a good honest government.

[@teejayangel6638]

Don't blame the gov, it's you as the people that are corrupt hence the corrupt gov.

[@meritbrownihe]

Unity with who?? Those who wants yo take over all religion?? Please who is fighting who? You speak of unity as if two or more parties are fighting each other. You must be a yoruba or calaba man.

[@weastekadmin5760]

@@meritbrownihe With this one comment from you we can tell exactly what's happening in Nigeria and I'm in not even from there

[@meritbrownihe]

@@weastekadmin5760 cool. No tribe or religion is fighting with the Muslims & thier leaders. They arethe ones fighting us.

[@wisdomspeaks3399]

Thank God someone with a conscience has spoken up. The world is silent to the atrocities taking place in what can be described as a Failed State.

[@ADE-of-LAGOS]

The fulanis are doing the job on behalf of western powers. Go online to search what the British Professor Parfitt Tudor say about the fulanis. He clearly states that they are a tool that can be used to achieve western agenda in West Africa.

[@kennyifezue9134]

As a Nigerian this is one of the best summaries of the numerous issues which plaque my country. Well done Proffessor.

[@chinedunduaguba4886]

Nigeria is NEVER my country. I was forced to be a Nigeria against my will through the barrel of the gun and not by free will

[@jaybee4577]

Fake summary

[@ericjohnson7234]

professor has one f. just so you know

[@davidnorman6348]

Thank you for this most enlightening overview of the current state of the country of Nigeria, Professor Ker-Lindsay. It is common knowledge that all is not well there, but your presentation of the major troubling aspects is eye opening. It seems that things are going to get rather nastier before any improvement becomes possible. I'll recommend your video and listen to more of them.

[@GinaTwinkle22]

Question is how do you form one AFRICA WITH ALL THE MESS IN EVERY AFRICAN COUNTRY. LET'S FIX OUR INDIVIDUAL MESS THEN WE CAN TALK.

[@Idcanymore510]

As a 'Nigerian' from the Southwest, we deeply desire for Nigeria to collapse. Nigeria is an artificial colonial construction that unites distinct and often historically antagonistic peoples into one 'nation'. It is a nation built without the consent of its constituent population. We in the South can no longer live in harmony with the kleptocratic North with its religious intolerance and undemocratic belief that they have an ordained hold on power. It's our belief that the Northern dominated government is deeply involved in the chaos and the violence that is ravaging the country. The old 'divide and rule' strategy at play. The majority of Yoruba, my people, want to separate from Nigeria and are in increasing harmony with the Igbo in this desire, as is the formerly northern-oriented Middle-Belt which has been amongst the hardest-hit regions of the Fulani incursion. The best that can happen to Nigeria is for it to break up into ethnically cohesive states, where each is allowed to forge its own path in conjunction or separately from the other regions.

[@theelectricprince8231]

NO WE DON'T!!! Speak forself

[@omzy8700]

Lo do u think splitting up the country everything will change ?what about the biggest issue in Nigeria which it is the corruption? By splitting up the country , do u actually think corruption would disappear ?

[@kennyhez]

You aren't a true Nigerian my guy! Get a seat

[@ochiliifeoma8882]

@@omzy8700 like I tire oh, splitting is not enough, accountability matters to the core, punishment given to leaders who weren't accountable matters to.

[@akeemsalami1764]

You don't speak for us,please rest

[@goldsteinist]

Prayers for Nigerians 🙏I have a friend from there. She is the purest woman I ever met. Proudly call her my sister. ♥️

[@sweetfish1648]

That your lovely friend MUST be a Biafran. Quote me.Please help save christians in Biafra.

[@anekelawrence2933]

Since Nigeria grant's freedom to arrested Boko Haram terrorists, gives them scholarships and recruitments into the army The Country has failed

[@igboman2860]

Thank you Professor for a balanced , fair and respectful presentation of the Nigerian society and its problems. The government cannot do anything about it because we are being ruled by thugs and clueless old men that cannot find their way out of a cereal box. To avoid a catastrophic collapse that will have serious impact on the west with the attendant human displacement that will follow. The best solution in my opinion is for the west to support the self determination struggles of the folks who want out of Nigeria. Nigeria is a mesh of tribes that have fundamental strong disagreements about how a society should be organized. One of my colleagues saw this video and sent it to me for my opinion as a Nigerian. You gained a sub prof

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much for the very kind comment and for the support. I appreciate it. It really is a tragic situation all round. I find Nigeria a fascinating country - and one that gets very little mainstream attention in the international media. So much needs to be done, and it is clear that decades of political failure have now made it seemingly impossible to solve the problems. One can only hope for the best, but I am not sure where all this leads. It is complex as there are several different routes the country could take: peaceful division like Czechoslovakia (unlikely); broadly peaceful dissolution but with some areas that are contested, like the USSR; or violent break up like Yugoslavia. Or it could collapse and yet continue as a legal entity, accepted on the international stage, as happened with Somalia. Anyway, I hope to come back to look at the situation. I have already taken a special interest in Biafra and the situation in the southeast.

[@Georgije2]

It reminds me of Yugoslavia. When my country (Slovenia) split off, it was the best possible decision for us. But sadly it wasn't so great for some of the other nations. I hope Nigeria's nations can gain independence in a peaceful way.

[@jaybee4577]

@@JamesKerLindsay You need to mind your business and stop talking about our country.

[@igbotimehopper64yearsago46]

@@jaybee4577 bro. Why not? Are you ashamed?

[@jaybee4577]

@@igbotimehopper64yearsago46 Ashmed that Nigeria have problems like the rest of the world?

[@krishnanunnimadathil8142]

For a very large country, the situation in Nigeria is criminally under-reported. Yes, sporadic reports emerge of one terror attack or another, but the systemic crises bedeviling the country and the wholesale breakdown in law and order is hardly shed a light on. This is an OPEC power, a large Muslim/Christian fault line country and an African giant. Maybe we will be witnessing the largest breakdown of state in the 21st century and the consequences for the people. That whole belt is a panoply of violence all of a sudden, from Somalia and Ethiopia in the east to Nigeria, Niger and Mali in the west. Thank you for shedding a light on this.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I completely agree. This should get a lot more coverage than it is.

[@ikechicosmas8855]

Aptly captured

[@okorochukwunonso2563]

I agree..The under-reporting of the crises going on in Nigeria ain’t a coincidence…It’s plain intentional!

[@leolindie6739]

I'm Nigerian. Screw Nigeria. Just give me Oduduwa republic. Btw I like your analyses.. ✌🏼

[@historyking9984]

I love how you keep up with so many events and countries around the world and make such great well researched videos

[@salokin3087]

Thanks for covering Nigeria, too often overlooked. Would you cover Indonesia sometime?

[@okaformichael383]

@Prof James Ker-Lindsay Thank you for making this video. As a Nigerian, I can say you did your research well. I really think Nigeria is already a failed state.

[@chituga4951]

As a Nigerian, I can for a fact attest to every point made in this video. It’s the wish of the southern region to be as one (Southwest, south east and south south). The northern merger is the worst thing that happened to us as today they’re doing everything possible to Islamize the nation. The current President Buhari is the #1 man driving this Islamization agenda quietly by not persecuting perpetrators of terrorism. The north imports foreigners from the North eastern borders during elections to vote and also make under aged kids vote to rig elections in their favor. This is how they claim to be of larger population of the south and deprive the south of everything good. The north also is afraid of allowing a south easterner get into the presidency because they know that all their evil will be exposed when that happens. 2023 general election is coming and a south easterner by name of Peter Obi is the presidential flag bearer of the Labor Party that today has a huge support from the youth who have been rendered unemployed, forced out of school due to academic strikes and every well meaning Nigerian that has been greatly affected by bad leadership all over the country. The ruling party seeing this chose to secure a Muslim-Muslim ticket to try so hard not to make Peter Obi win in 2023, mainly because they plan on using the northern Islamic population against the south. If this Islamic ticket wins the 2023 election, Nigeria will be completely doomed. It is our prayer that our efforts to save our nation in 2023 election comes to reality so that we can heal and move our country from consumption to production, which has been the drive of the Labor party headed by a known business man( trader) and one time Governor of a south eastern state called Anambra. Peter Obi is known for his good economic policies and development of human capacity index as his past records clearly show. God bless Nigeria.

[@Boroschris]

There is nothing like South-South in geography.

[@richardnonso7860]

@@Boroschris In Nigeria, the South South is recognized as a Géo-political zone.

[@Boroschris]

@@richardnonso7860 "In Nigeria the North- North is recognised as a geo- political zone" abi? If not why are you referring to the South as SOUTH-SOUTH? If you don't know Compass in geography keep quiet.

[@praisedigitals]

@@Boroschris don't say what you don't know. Are you even a Nigerian? In Nigeria the SOUTH -SOUTH is recognised as a geopolitical zone. Period!!!

[@richardnonso7860]

@@Boroschris okay do you man, refer to it as whatever you want, you're on a long thing still.

[@SuperMovieLvr933]

I love your channel Professor! Thank you for your informative content.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much! Have a great weekend. :-)

[@emmanuelntomchukwu5791]

@@JamesKerLindsay There's no one story to an event. and there is a history to every event, and immediately you miss the history, you miss the story. Talk to me about big power politics and the British colonization in Nigeria. My definition of colonialism here is criminality. Nigeria will be a better place and go in the right direction and survive if you return the stolen things during colonization (worth 60trillion pounds) and stop the so-called structural adjustment programs and remove the fake institutions and fake human right NGOs and stop sponsoring divide and rule. Point of correction, Nigeria has no independence, it is a mirage. This is big power politics 101. I am so disappointed by the shallow analysis coming from a person that claimed this background BSc (Econ) from the University of whatever London and an MA and PhD in International Conflict Analysis from the University of Kent. He has held visiting posts at the University of Pristina, the University of Saints Cyril and Methodius, and the University of Nicosia and is a Research Associate at the Centre for International Studies, Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford. Stop fake and cheap stories and go back to school period.

[@peterkops6431]

What a brilliant channel. Have been watching religiously for a couple of months now. Thanks for your efforts.

[@Damian-rt3rt]

The major ethnic groups are Ibo, Hausa, and Yoruba. The Fulanis are a minority tribe. Yes, they rule over the Hausas, but they are ethnically and linguistically different from the Hausas.

[@ceci4629]

Can you guys stop spelling and pronouncing the tribe as "ibo" . It's Igbo and sometimes I feel like some people just say it that way on purpose

[@MP-mu2gu]

Igbo

[@vanessaanddaddy7754]

I’m a Biafran forced Nigerian. Nigeria must collapse. A British contraption and with a false foundation. We the Biafrans will never back down on our quest for independence. Sooner the agitation will turn very bloody and Nigeria will have no option but to conduct an independent Referendum

[@salakast]

I think one of the most important developments in Nigeria that you missed was the formation of Amotekun. Amotekun is a security force composed entirely of Yoruba states, and works more effectively than national police. That sort of idea was previously relegated to Biafran nationalism but now even the Yoruba are doing it. And since then, the idea of an "Oduduwa Republic" of Yoruba has rapidly gained popularity.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much. Unfortunately, there was a lot I had to cover very briefly - if at all. It was actually one of the most challenging videos I have made to try to get across the sheer range of issues facing Nigeria in my usual time frame. But as I said at the end, I really want to come to these issues in more detail - including developments in the Southwest. And thanks so much for pointing that out. I appreciate it.

[@TheNapkuchen]

This channel is pure gold and people like you make it even better with comments like you made. Ty :)

[@salakast]

@@TheNapkuchen Tyty! I've been fascinated with nations vs. countries in Africa, and Nigeria especially.

[@esosaiyamu2581]

The army just took their weapons from the amotekun of ekiti state

[@salakast]

@@esosaiyamu2581 I can't find anything on this, what was their reasoning?

[@TheLocalLt]

Thanks for doing this video professor, it looks like it’s getting a great response! It’s great to see all the comments from locals, they provide a unique and invaluable insight for sure. I knew about some of these issues but not all of them, nor how weak the government response has been, thanks for illustrating the whole picture. I do think that it’s important to note that prior to the merger you mentioned in 1914 between the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria (mainly Fulani population) and the Protectorate & Colony of Southern Nigeria (combined Yoruba and Igbo), there was a previous merger in 1906 between the Colony of Lagos (mainly Yoruba) and the Protectorate of Southern Nigeria (mainly Igbo) to form the combined Colony & Protectorate. However, even if all 3 areas had remained separate territories through independence, they may still have been ruled by the same governor, and then been federated upon independence: both of these were the case with Ashanti, the Gold Coast, and Western Togoland, which each remained separate but all had the same governor and were then unified (not even federated) upon independence to form Ghana, as you’ve covered before when examining about the 2020-21 Western Togoland Rebellion. In any case it’s questionable whether these separate areas would have made for viable independent states anyway. It seems like the problems today are rooted in many more issues than just regional separatism, namely a combination of some of the worst security issues seen in other areas of the world (it’s like combining the corruption issues of Central Asian petrostates, the Islamist terror of the the Sahel states, the death cult gangs from Central America, the water access problems of Egypt, the regional separatism of many areas of the world, and more). Those issues then further fuel regional separatism, as one commenter pointed out with the Yoruba now also forming some kind of police organization and growing calls for separatism from that camp, in addition to the existing claims from the Igbo. I definitely feel for the population, what a tragic situation this could turn out to be, and already is. It seems like the situation is on a knife’s edge, I personally wouldn’t call it a “failed state” yet, but government control seems to be a rapidly thinning veneer, and could end up going in that direction of a “failed state” scenario where there is a multiparty civil war, but hopefully not. Anyway thanks again for the video Dr Ker Lindsay and for providing a basis for discussion!

[@yanmi2148]

Of course the regions would make for viable states. Look at the Gambia with a population of 1 million in the middle of Senegal!

[@Maynard0504]

the herder/farmer conflict feels so archaic. it's like a glimpse into our past when pastoral societies invaded sedentary ones.

[@gometioghale8776]

It's not herders/ farmers conflict rather Fulani jihadist invaders bearing arms

[@socrates7750]

It’s always be on going, it never seized we just slept off, there is a real issue, ethnicity, religion are just guise used to fight the real war “The Control of Resources”

[@y.r5155]

@@gometioghale8776 it's your illiteracy and hatred I see here

[@relaxvids4748]

@@y.r5155 I live in northern-east part these attackers are Fulani herdsmen

[@mysteriesoflife540]

@@y.r5155 no. He's right on target.

[@lawerenceugo7016]

Disintigration of Nigeria is the only way of saving lives of the people traped in Nigeria

[@MagmaUpwelling]

Then divide it

[@evansevans8022]

As a Nigerian who knows what security is all about, a Scotland Yard trained security intelligence and a former police officer. Nigeria is fast becoming a failed state, no organ of government is functioning as it should be. All forest in Nigeria have been taking over by Fulani from the Sahel region. Killing of innocent people and the government of the day lacked the capacity to tackle the insecurity and does not want to ask for assistance from the developed countries. You’re absolutely right in your analysis, Nigeria is almost a failed state. Even some of the terrorists arrested are being released based on religious and ethnicity, because they are mostly from president Buhari’s tribe. Please help us present Nigeria’s problem to the international community. Sadly Britain who forcefully merged what is called Nigeria today together seems not to be interested in what’s going on in Nigeria.

[@davidbowie5023]

Britain cared about Nigeria? The British actually wanted Nigeria to have this.

[@robertbones326]

The colonialist Britain responsible for the problems in Nigeria no longer exists. We're very liberal now.

[@joelzimco5778]

Britain care for oil and not human. They are the worst people I’ve seen after France. They’re benefiting from their selves whom we called leaders.

[@cavaleer]

The "international community" can't help these problems, any more than neighbors can interfere in a family's dysfunction. Either you straighten your house yourself or it spirals out of control and fractures into three or more countries. Yall have been down that road before but this time will be different. Statecraft is by far the most difficult but the most consequential endeavour of humans.

[@ajalahupfront]

The brits structured Nigeria this way for their own benefit

[@ardadmrc6710]

I have lived in Nigeria last among year. South south(southeast parts) , west-middle, north regions should be seperated

[@evasco1979]

Very thorough and straightforward video, informative and updated, thank you very much. Let's hope the Nigerian population focuses on solutions, nothing good comes out of just blaming this or that.

[@eazydeeraps2276]

GOOD JOB 👍 YOU COVERED ALMOST EVERYTHING

[@sonofasquid]

Thanks James. As always, a clear non-partisan review of the situation in Nigeria.. please do more.. maybe region by region? Thank you

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much. Great suggestion! I certainly hope to return to these different issues separately in future videos. I've done a couple on Biafra and the southeast already, but I would really like to look into the other situations too. It was really just an attempt to present a big picture look at the tremendous problems facing the country as a whole. Sadly, it doesn't hold a lot of grounds for optimism.

[@gtsvvtihddsud6127]

@@JamesKerLindsay stop this nonsense is Nigeria more failed than USA?

[@anirudhparthasarathy3387]

Good morning ! It was a great video to start the day with and highly informative (sort of developments not covered much in the media that I follow). It is quite unfortunate to see these developments though - Nigeria being an economic power house of the region, could've well become an example of how a multi ethnic state, split evenly along religious lines could work. Hopefully the situation has a peaceful solution rather than another civil war.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Good morning Anirudh! Thanks. It really is depressing to see the range of problems that Nigeria faces - and also very worrying. The complete implosion of Nigeria would be a disaster for Africa, and more widely. The question is whether a controlled split would be possible, and along what lines. My sense is that the 1954 federal division would have made most sense. But I doubt that it could be adopted now. I hope all is well with you.

[@wordsbymaribeja1470]

How would spliiting Nigeria along religious lines change the cultural differences? Not everything is about religion, there is a feudal culture in the North that runs the country, and that feudal poverty has decimated the entire country.

[@christopherafowowe4067]

Well done Pro James Ker-Lindsay. You have done a good analysis. More can be done to cover more areas.

[@emerson3070]

Thanks you for your consistently informative videos

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much!

[@atomicshadowman9143]

All the Nigerians I've met have been polite and very hard working. I hope they peacefully resolve their issues even if it means a Biafran divorce.

[@bilic8094]

That is true I played soccer with alot of Nigerians and all were really polite.

[@jaybee4577]

Biafraud

[@JK-gu3tl]

Igbos are hard workers.

[@Peglegkickboxer]

I love working with Nigerians, they are very polite and friendly. They work hard and find small things to celebrate.

[@obinnaigboeli6686]

Nigeria: A collapsed Country Nigeria: A Failed Country. Security: Our govt is largely out of sight and that's why these criminals keep striking Education: Our teachers are not paid, as we speak, public universities are on strike. Our public schools are dilapidated Poverty: There's a direct link between our absolute poverty with the wealth of our rich elites. Nigeria is world's poverty capital Agriculture: We don't produce as much as we should. Mineral resources: They are not put to good use. And even what we make of them, our elites steal them. Electricity: Nigerians are in darkness Roads/ social amenities: They are very poor. Terrorism: alive and well Unemployment: The situation is threatening Pensioners : nothing for them at the end of the month Human Development: Our govt has no time for that Governance: We have thieves as leaders Health Care: The country is on its knees.

[@Koloviv48i]

Beautifully put together. Facts.

[@diji9809]

This is painfully accurate

[@Koloviv48i]

@helllo Haiti's problem is different. Haiti have been punish and continue to suffer from those Caucasean so called powers that they defeated to enslaved themselves . They were even made to pay for their freedom to France a large sum of money hence the repercussion that is still been felt by them today. Don't just make an open statement without clarifying the cause of their troubles. Ignorance is no excuse.

[@oo--7714]

@helllo no one here is talking about hati

[@mrcocoloco7200]

@@oo--7714 We know he just said it's similar. Chill dude.

[@Chisom28]

We are different people with different values, that’s why Nigeria cannot work.

[@daveo2431]

Gbam.

[@davidwisdomidowu9470]

Thank you very much for this assessment of Nigeria. I believe it will be informative to the international community. One of the issues we have had over the years is a deliberate weakening of democracy by those in power for their selfish needs. They however go through various means such as influencing corruption, poverty, lack of education and religious ignorance, bigotry and fundamentalism. Another thing we have had over the years is the regional mindset that most people have. This has been further revealed by the fast approaching 2023 elections. Mostly uneducated northerners have revealed that they were told to always vote people from their own region and religion. They use religion, religious leaders and poverty as a weapon for this. While this is going on in the North, the Igbos have a seemingly unending internal crisis that has been hampering their justified protest against marginalization. All the same, this is a great work of intellectual research. Prof, I will also love to have an opportunity to work with you in some researches. I am a student of religion and culture and over the years, I have watched how these duo have affected politics, governance, economy and society which is one of the crucial issues that Africa as a continent is facing. I believe that in some of your researches, you would have seen how religion has been used as a weapon by the elites and the masses in Africa. I anticipate your positive response, Prof.

[@jaybee4577]

According to western media Nigeria have been collapsing since independence. Nigeria is very resilient and Nigerians are very resilient and we will keep charging on.

[@orboakin8074]

Well said. We may be having our issues but our country has faced worse. My father tells me how during military rule, it was worse and the country almost broke up. Then in 99 after civilian rule returned, so many things began to improve because of a change in leadership and proper economic management. Things were looking up for us up until 2015 when we made the great mistake of electing the foolani into office and in 8 years he undid all that progress but this just shows that what we need is good leadership and also to restructure the country for a truly federal republic to exist. India is bigger most of sub-Sharan Africa and has way more diverse ethnicities and languages than Africa does but their country works because they use a federal style of governance and administration.

[@jaybee4577]

@@orboakin8074 I don’t like when people get online especially non Nigerians/Africans and speak about our country. Nigeria have indeed faced many issues and still does, but our resilience and fight for good leadership will keep our country going. I see you on Twitter/KZbin btw, always bashing APC/ Buhari @Orbo Akin. 😂

[@orboakin8074]

@@jaybee4577 Wow! I had no idea more people were actually noticing my activity on twitter. Thanks for the shoutout. Also, yes, I agree with you. It is incredibly frustrating how people automatically think they know what is happening in Nigeria because a few loud people online scream about something and get huge likes. There is increased tribalism now due to the failure of the current administration but the national identity of Nigerians is still strong and most of us, even Igbos in the east, still identify as Nigerians. We just want more decentralization and a restructured nation and constitution.

[@JK-gu3tl]

US opposed Biafra.

[@jacobd2102]

​@@orboakin8074 dont you see the project Nigeria is losing breath and going into coma each minute and days that goes bye?we have tried this unity for more than 60 years it hasn't usha us noting but blood of the innocents and retrogressive?it time we recognize the British project called Nigeria was never ment to work for the natives but only for the British,it time the natives has to come together and ask themselves this simple questions ARE WE REALLY ONE PEOPLE that aspires to same goals?

[@oceejekwam6829]

Good job James, the only thing you failed to touch on was the Fulani Jihad which is aimed at forcibly making all of Nigeria a full fledged Islamic state, which President Buhari (a Muslim Fulani) is quietly in support of. The "famer herder" clashes are one avenue they are using to pursue this goal. The inability of the security agencies to restore "law and order" is due to all top posts being given to the Fulani and that the armed forces are biased in favour of the Islamists and contain many sympathisers who leak information to the herders/terrorists/bandits in advance of any "operations'. Apart from that omission, it was an excellent summary.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much for that. Unfortunately, I had to really cover each issue incredibly briefly. There was a lot of detail I had to miss out. But I really do hope to come back and look at them each in more detail. (I have already done a couple on Biafra.)

[@oceejekwam6829]

@@JamesKerLindsay I have watched your coverage of the Biafran issue. That again is a series of nested problems too. The other thing with Nigeria is that the 1914 amalgamation of the poorer Islamic North to the wealthier Secular South has led to a parasitic relationship between the two which the British are well aware of. Combine this with federal nature of government being abolished in 1966 to have centralised rule. The oil revenues go to Central government who then ensure that the Muslim North takes more than it's fair share. This has led to resentment amongst the oil producing communities who only get 13% of the profit, and 100% of the pollution and environmental damage (which you included). It's a real mess, that no leader has been able to deal with, hence the accumulation of these problems.

[@jaybee4577]

Fulani jihad, IPOB Crusaders, and Cultist ODUDUWA are major problems.

[@josephjohn907]

The Hausas are pure Nigerians. It is Islam that changed them. Black people need to abandon foreign religion because it divides us

[@chrisogara5283]

@@josephjohn907 Agreed. Both Islam and Christianity are oppressing people who practice their traditional religions in this country. The division caused by this is only going to harm everyone in the long run.

[@alfalfred8722]

There's no great country in the World that did not under go stages such as we have in Nigeria today. I'm a firm believer in one strong and indivisible Nigeria, and I'm also convinced that we shall overcome all the present challenges.... They re actually meant for Nigeria's true greatness. 🇳🇬 🇳🇬 👍 💪 💪. There's hope....there's brightness ahead.

[@thespiritualartofwar]

It’s 2024, Nigeria still lacks reliable electricity and clean water supply throughout the country. Other African countries like Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda progressing but Nigeria is still stuck in hope.

[@gbogboz]

My Country Nigeria is seriously collapsing, due to the incompetent of the government. There are people in Government who are working with the Fulani militia who are planning on turning Nigeria into an Islamic nation. That is what is going on.

[@cashewnuttel9054]

Is it as bad as Somalia?

[@alexandru5369]

Yeah fact is, Nigeria is just too big, with too many ethnicities, a ton of resources, extreme religious divide, a lot of tribes. While a lot of Sub Saharan Africa has issues like this it seems that Nigeria has all these problems at once. It might be better off too divide it between North and South or let some areas go. Just seems like you can't glue something together if it keeps coming undone.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. There is actually a really interesting debate to be had about all of this. Many people argue that the merger of the two parts in 1914 was a major source of problems. Had it not happened, the two areas would have been more religiously homogenous if nothing else. This may have made things more stable. I can see this argument. But it still would have left the country ethnically divided. Dividing it into three main areas along the lines of the 1954 federation could have made more sense.

[@victorugbodaga754]

@@JamesKerLindsay thank you so much for this.

[@jaybee4577]

We have many problems and we will keep charging along. Thanks for your worries.

[@milesinnz]

what a load of hypocrisy.. you would be the same person who would say Europe has to embrace multiculturalism.. what a complete and utter hypocrite you are.. - but yes, it seems that some split would be needed, but Africans being what they are, then the North will become an uneconomic disaster and they will still attack the south - now which bit did I get wrong ? name an Islamic state that is an economic success other than ones who are hypocrisies of their own religion such as Saudi and the UAE

[@orboakin8074]

No. The solution for Nigeria is not to divide but to restructure the country for a truly federal republic to exist. India is bigger most of sub-Sharan Africa and has way more diverse ethnicities and languages than Africa does but their country works because they use a federal style of governance and administration.

[@ZetaMoolah]

Nigerians of the diaspora are very proud to be where they are from, very productive, and self-reliant. That being said, within Nigeria we are whatever tribe and whatever religion from whatever village before we are Nigerian. This bleeds into local and federal politics and proliferates skepticism of each other along with our institution; questions of “who are you” as well as “where are you from,” are among the first things that comes to mind when attempting to glean intentions. By our own extreme prejudices we have successfully disintegrated hopes of unity. In these 59 years of independence: coups, civil war, and economic peril- on the flip side- technological advances, the rise of domestic industries, and a highly motivated and competitive educated populace. It will take a couple generations of an ardent dismantling of the perpetual forces that dilute this progress, but with enough determination it remains a possibility. (Edit) TedTalk over lmfao.

[@Idcanymore510]

No more one Nigeria! I am in the diaspora and I look on in horror and trepidation at how the country has fallen. It is clear that there is an agenda to fulanise and islamicise the country that cannot be ignored. the Federal government appears complicit in this process and the only option to prevent this is to break-up the country into ethnically coherent states.

[@MrWackozacko]

Rubbish, how can someone be proud of a place they fled from?

[@seismicvertigo345]

I have been in the diaspora for about 20 years, I am Yoruba and I want Nigeria to break the hell up

[@unsrescyldas9745]

@@MrWackozacko yeah these people always having me cringe.

[@oduduotong2157]

You always have a balanced opinion towards Nigeria and I love it. One day Southern Nigeria will pull out of the relationship with Northern Nigeria.

[@maduabuchivitalis5909]

I'm an igbo from south east which we know as Biafra,we don't see ourselves as Nigerias ,we are forced into this unholy union with the rest if Nigeria,,we want freedom,we want Biafra so that we can build a life we never had for our children,,Nigeria will never survive our next uprising because Weill get biafra or die trying

[@jideofor.brightbright4488]

Yes oo bro

[@joelzimco5778]

What we had witnessed was genocide against Biafra not war. Detector who appeared as a president is not helping the matter. What IPOB are requesting is nothing but referendum which I understand to be a human right. The protesting members of IPOB were murdered by the military without arms. Belewa has the view that oil and water can’t mix. The only thing that can save lives in Nigeria is separation. UN should grant Nigeria a referendum let every nationality determine their fate. Nigeria is a failed state as it stands now

[@jaybee4577]

Blah blah Biafraud

[@joelzimco5778]

@@jaybee4577 you can say whatever you wish. I wish you one best thing life. May you get the same treatment indigenous people of Nigeria is getting. I don’t represent Biafra sir. But the truth shall revenge in no distant future. May God keep you and I alive to witness it. The truth can’t be hidden forever. It’s matter of time. Time is the best healer.

[@jaybee4577]

@@joelzimco5778 All Nigerians regardless of tribe, ethnicity and religion are suffering so miss with that BS.

[@chico9805]

@@jaybee4577 And some have suffered more than others.

[@davidbasil2688]

@@jaybee4577 no one is asking to be part of biafra.. you are one of those who dont want to be free and dont want others to be free.. so may nigeria remain your portion and that of your family from generations to generations Ise!!! Say amen...

[@likeminds1181]

A ruthlessly corrupt state that may disintegrate. Lord have mercy on your people.

[@ogunyemifemi8821]

Rcently it happened again , A prison in Abuja(Nigeria's capital city) was attacked and all boko harram terrorist prisoners escaped .

[@aarontinsley612]

Absolute quality content as usual

[@radiantty1402]

Thank you so much for sharing this well researched and concise picture of what Nigeria really is. The challenges are enormous and seemingly insurmountable. However I believe that with good leadership things will change. Slowly but surely. We are quite resilient. Put a Nigerian anywhere and watch them succeed. We will survive. We will thrive.

[@freemanbako452]

Amen Dear

[@babalegba4605]

Oh please. I am a proud Yoruba-Nigerian. The country was formed when your colonizing forebears forcibly interrupting our civilizations and imposed their religion, administrative and economic structures upon us utilizing superior weaponry. Prior to that, the Yoruba, as one example, had developed one of the most remarkable civilizations in the history of the world, as exemplified in our systems of government, administration, philosophy, religion, art, etc. Nigeria isn't even close to collapsing. We're a rancorous and noisy bunch that need to calm down and organically work out our issues in this straight jacket we have found ourselves in. We'll get there eventually, once we realize that we've got to look inward rather than outward for solutions, which we are currently brainwashed to believe. Now I do think the UK is slowly falling apart at the seams, the poor darlings. They need a rich colony or two to plunder and exploit.

[@adewilliams8]

Nigeria must break up now to save lives...the country has already failed, things had fallen appart...!

[@temilola9366]

No I want us yoruba to have our own country why do some yoruba want to be with Nigeria so bad sounding like the fulani and hausa people kind of embarrassing

[@collinsisrael9569]

I love your analysis about my country, please we’ll like you to dive more into that bizarre country of mine. Thanks again.

[@peterngash3600]

As a Kenya I have seen what ethnic disunity can bring total stand still. Right now we are really pushing for East Africa unity to interlink our countries to spread risk hence reducing it. I pray and hope nigeria looks for peace and unity.

[@sageforce9306]

Bro that would be a horrible idea. We should remain as we are can you imagine Kenya and Somalia being the same country? All that chaos in different countries will spill into our own

[@timowayne6993]

@@sageforce9306 Not Somalia. I don't think Somalia even wants a unity with Kenya. Somalia should join Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti wich they have strong links with. But Eastern Africa countries wich speaks mostly Swahili language such as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda etc wants to form a single country wich is good. Problem is that Congo and Rwanda wants to join also wich can cause problems. This two countries are already in conflict.

[@sageforce9306]

@@timowayne6993 that would be preferable. But African countries have a long way to go before we can unite in any capacity.

[@allcontent196]

The more I learn about countries like Nigeria, the more I believe that the East African Community should only remain an economic bloc like the EU.

[@user-wg6rl9tv8n]

Nigeria is way too over populated and is a young country with low Life expectancy of 53 years. It's scary 😲😲. The stress of living in Nigeria whose future is so bleak and uncertain , the upcoming elections is not gonna be peaceful looking at the trends

[@1000Deep]

Interesting video. Thank you for sharing. What are the criteria for the Fragile State Index? Who are the people responsible for researching and developing this list and where do they come from?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. You can go to their website and have a look. Of course, one can always find things that you will disagree with, but it’s a useful comparative index nevertheless. fragilestatesindex.org/

[@1000Deep]

@@JamesKerLindsay Thank you. I will check out the link. Take care.

[@1234canadianguy]

As always, another fascinating video detailing the challenges of the Nigerian state. I once did an essay a few years back in my global governance course at York University in Toronto, Canada where I made the argument that the G20 should include more countries on the African continent and I cited Nigeria as a prime candidate for G20 membership. However given the deteriorating situation in the country as outlined in this video, perhaps I should take back my thesis in that essay. Also I'll see if I can share this video with my neighbour who happens to be an immigrant from Nigeria.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks Robert. That is the sad thing about the situation. Nigeria really should be a powerhouse. But the range of issues it faces are simply overwhelming. And one gets the sense that the security problems and the wider social problems are intertwined in very complex ways. It is hard to see where one starts. And I think that this could be a major part of the overall puzzle. One does have to wonder if dividing the country might just be the start of find a solution to some of the problems? Unfortunately, though, this is certainly unlikely to be a panacea. In fact, one can certainly see a situation that it will raise as many new problems for the new states as Nigeria faces.

[@weiSane]

Anyway to read your thesis ? Any links ? I would like to know the thought process behind your thesis.

[@1234canadianguy]

@@JamesKerLindsay first off, apologies for my late reply to your comment as I've been quite busy for the past few weeks. Frankly, I believe it's long overdue for the African continent to be adequately represented in international forums such as the G20. Going back to my essay for my global governance course, my initial plan was to argue for both Nigeria and Ethiopia to be admitted into the G20, considering that these two major African countries are of a similar economic size to the current sole African G20 member of South Africa. Unfortunately both Nigeria and Ethiopia are going through enormous political strife right now that has the potential to fundamentally undermine these significant countries on the continent. As if that wasn't bad enough, South Africa could seemingly collapse at any moment considering how incredibly unstable the country is right now, with the latest example being the massive riots in the provinces of Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal at exactly this time last year. As much as I would love to see more African representation in forums like the G20 considering its massive potential as an economic powerhouse of the late 21st century, I'll be bluntly honest and say that there's currently no suitable African country that is both economically large and political stable enough to warrant representation in international forums. I sincerely hope that changes sooner rather than later.

[@Flightmode911]

You’re including Nigeria a failed state into your thesis, better take it back unless you want to fail

[@nhauj]

@@JamesKerLindsay It starts with the fraudulent 1999 constitution that people seem to forget. The first lines states: "We the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria - Having firmly and solemnly resolved:" Not one single Nigerian citizen got to vote on that document. It was unilaterally imposed on the populace. That document is a fraud and sham. This is where the corruption comes from.

[@LadyJaneAnams]

Beautiful analysis. Thanks for putting nigeria out there.

[@scottlyons8130]

Very well research and wonderfully presented. My compliments for your great presentations.

[@SamuelEbiyonUwawah]

I am a Nigerian, currently living in Nigeria. I must confess, you are the best at what you do. I really wonder how you get this info. You gave a perfect report in this video. You deserve a million dollars

[@djkonfidon8044]

Isn’t it sad when a foreigner knows more about your history and country than you? Have you been sleeping or blissfully ignorant? 🤔

[@jaybee4577]

No he doesn’t. He need to mind his business and Europe is about to collapse.

[@djkonfidon8044]

@@jaybee4577 🤣🤣🤣

[@medfitconsultant]

@@jaybee4577...lol 🤣🤣🤣😅...you are somebody. Nice one.

[@Jimmy-cf3sd]

I hate this man that is making this reports he is speaking and working for Yourba people if you he gave right to comment to only to the Yourbas may God punish this man who call himself professor

[@nicolebusari5493]

Here's some statistics to consider when addressing these issues: In Chicago 800+ homicides were reported in 2021. July 4th 2022, just this month, 62 people were injured 10 dead due to gun violence. Chicago's population is 8 million people. There have been 160 gun related deaths in USA since 2022 started. There were 1.2 million incidents of rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and murder reported in the United States in 2018 alone, in total the USA reported 24, 000 homicides in 2020 is America collapsing? Nigeria, an entire country with 200+ million people had about 18,000 deaths by murder. The Northern states accounted for 42% of the deaths. Northern Region population is about 9 million, covering 19 states. The state of Tennesee alone had over 42k violent crimes in 2018, and the population was just 6.7 million. In fact out of the world's top 10 list of most violent killings USA is 4th. All murder is tragic, but human beings will commit hanous crimes its a fact of life, the higher the population, poverty and access to weaponry the higher rate of crime its that simple. Based on actual unbiased statistics Nigeria is not even close to being the most violent and unsafe country in the world, I believe it ranks in the 30s. The fact is if we accumulate the murder rate over the top 19 American States we have a number higher than that of all 36 States of Nigeria. Its clear that population has a lot to do with crime, as America has an 129 million more people, but so does access to tools used in violent crimes ie guns, weapons, hostility among people groups etc... We also have to factor in access to health care, many violent crimes result in death because of a lack of health care in many Nigerian states, whereas in Western countries violent crimes sometimes lead to an urgent trip to the hospital and recovery., but that's besides the point. I just wonder, with such high violent crime and homicides why more people are not talking about America coming to her demise/collapse? It is clear that inflation, unemployment, political and racial/ethnic polarisation is on the rise there too, does that mean Americawill collapse? For example, we talk about kidnapping in Nigeria all the time, but rarely is it reported on international news that every year almost 200,000 people fall victim of human trafficking in the USA, why? Its very disingenuous how many of you in the news report on issues in African countries, as though the issues we face are insurmountable, yet remain silent when the West has the same problems. In my opinion we should focus on the real issue, such as Western interference in African affairs, colonial countries maintaining their grip after "independence" , devaluing African currencies after "independence", loaning money to their corrupt and often European trained leaders at rediculous rates, which in turn leaves countries in poverty, I could go on. In my opinion Africa's main problem is the constant interference and sabotage of the West, I would like to see you report on that so we can uproot the actual problem which in many cases the root cause is Western leaders always finding a way to block our progress. The fact is, you cannot have an unbiased commentary or discussion of a countries current woes without FIRST looking at the root of the problem, which in the case of most if not all African countries is Western, mainly European, mainly British interference. Who lumped the countries together: the Brits; who picked the leaders:Brits; who jailed all the freedom fighters who wanted to liberate Nigeria and replaced them with hand picked puppets: the British, shall I go on? Its just that simple, you must dig to the root to remove the weeds, in Nigeria unites on a principle of out of many we are one people, decolonizes and restrategizes regionally she will prosper, and for that to happen we have to remove the influence of outside parties starting with the education system and the constitution. 2 significant weapons of the colonisers.

[@gamerboy10.06]

The best comment so far,far more productive than those giving stupid suggestions

[@arsena1816]

I read deflection on the US but no solutions. Good luck with that.

[@palermotrapani9067]

Singapore and Malaysia, Hong Kong, India have being a British Colony in common with Nigeria. Now those places where largely Countries before the British got there so I concede that putting together 4 major distinct ethnic groups, who had long been rivals before the British got there is problematic. However, many Asian countries that were former British colonies have done well and embraced European style Constitutional forms of government. Regarding India, Pakistan was separated from it and made a largely Islamic territory whereas Hindus are in what is India so the ethno-religious dimension there was somewhat mitigated. Pakistan is ruled more by Islamic traditions. Bangladesh then broke from Pakistan and set up a more Constitutional based government system similar to India (which is the largest Constitutional Republic and democracy in the world). Singapore has one of the highest GDP per capita in the world and on Corruption indexes, is considered year in and year out among the 3 to 5 least corrupt countries in the world and among the most pro Business and economic development. All of those countries gained independence from the UK in the post WW2 period from say 1947 to 1960, etc.

[@coshyno]

wow this is the best comment out of all of them !! I couldn't have said better !

[@tunde275]

@@arsena1816 exactly what I read too. Video is talking about Nigeria as a failed state, but what I got from the comment is “but the USA do it too”

[@akabuezecharles43]

Thanks for this wonderful video

[@deejaydev]

Prof thank you for this, this is very helpful

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much. Really glad it helped.

[@banto1]

Thank you for an excellent report which I found very interesting. Was partition ever proposed as a solution to at least some aspects of the ethnic/religious strife problem? I remember the world focus on the starving children in Biafra in the late '60s (1000's dying every day with huge distended stomachs from extreme malnourishment). Seems nothing has changed in that area of the world.

[@bukster337]

There is absolutely no way the Northern Nigeria would allow Southern Nigerian split peacefully because without the oil revenues from the Niger Delta in the South, they would be as poor as Niger and Chad.

[@seismicvertigo345]

@@bukster337 I don't think if the Hausas throw off the Fulani they will be poor at all. Plus, they need to open up the historical trans-Saharan trade routes with which they traded with the Maghreb. Long terms goals should include creating cargo rails through the Sahara. They got this, they just need to remember that they are HAUSA

[@FredoRockwell]

Wow! I was aware of several of these issues but not all of them. And having them set out together was certainly powerful. I've been hoping to follow the upcoming election in Nigeria. Can anyone advise which candidate could possibly do the best job tackling all of these crises? Thanks for yet another great video!

[@mercyseat1524]

The Man most people are looking up to is Mr. Peter Obi. Peter Obi is a business man who has served as governor of Anambra State in Eastern region of Nigeria. A region that has been so marginalized for so many years. Many people want Mr. Peter Obi because of of his antecedents. The only people is that many of the corrupt politicians does not want him because they're afraid he will block many of the ways they steal public fund. I hope I was able to give you the answer you were looking for.

[@yago.yorubaactiongroupobaf5874]

Thanks for your interest in the diminishing contraption. It seems that the fundamentals have been ignored. Lord Lugard forced several very different people together. Simply to easy the administration during the colonial era without thought for their social compatibility. As if we didn't have enough problems, the irredentist from the Sahel, the religion extremist, and the culture of violence imposed by bandits compound. Nigeria needs to be split. Anything away from that would be a jejune resolution.

[@hayomidehrichies6201]

The only solution to Nigeria problem is separation

[@hayomidehrichies6201]

@@mercyseat1524 Nigeria can never work Useless country @62 years @24 century no light, no security, no job, no development, etc nothing is working in that zoo call Nigeria, if you like campaign for Jesus the zoo can never work The only solution is separation

[@kingsleyjude3532]

No one can fix Nigeria. What Nigeria need is a peaceful dissolution through #Referendum

[@davetheman2615]

Great video, thanks

[@chinaedubokoro337]

Love the content. As a Nigerian, very impressive.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much. I appreciate it. I just wish it wasn’t such a depressing picture.

[@idiaidia6082]

This a a very balanced assessment of the situation in Nigeria. As a Nigerian ,I genuinely feel disconnected from the my country. We have jettisoned ideas such as regional government, state police, Greater percentage of mineral resources going to host communities, rule of law etc. This is compounded by our religious and ethnic divide. The solution are: The government should should call for national conference of all nationalities in Nigeria. We must agree to live together.

[@jackholman5008]

Nigeria shouldn't be a country in the first place it won't succeed and splitting it up is the better option

[@attajacob]

You can’t force groups to live together. They should agree to separate.

[@Stand663]

@@attajacob The British managed to pull the various tribes together and make them a parliamentary democracy etc, but as always happens when they left the tribes reverted back to fighting each other. It happened all over the globe 🌍

[@pee-buddy]

@@Stand663 The tribes were not fighting each other before the British came. The fighting only started after the British left. I am at a loss, why would that be???

[@powasjington4262]

Sounds weird but I feel the same way about America

[@ayenitajusamuel9335]

Thank you for making this video

[@PinPointEnts]

Thank you for this.

[@gmr_ay0]

From the view of a 15 year old Nigerian teenager... I've always seen my country as one of the most blessed in the world... The only issue we have is the sole determination of our leaders being filling up their pockets with THE COUNTRY'S FUNDS... It's been the case even long before I was born and the effects of this are very obvious... We have the resources and good people to move forward, but the country's development is stagnated because of our terrible leadership... It's kinda frustrating... Anyway, thanks for the recognition Prof.😁

[@temiloluwabolarinwa6120]

Dont't worry, as you grow older you learn more about why the corrupt leadership nigeria do not get arrested but peaceful protesters are shot at. Right now, all you see are symptoms and not the disease.

[@vee3177]

Lol if that’s the only issue you think we have. You’ll have a different opinion in 5 years.

[@moderatemapper9440]

@@vee3177 People would have much more feeling of nationalism for Nigeria if people were richer and had more money and Nigeria didn't feel like a terrible place. Honestly though, the north is mostly what is dragging the country down, northern leaders have always caused economic chaos, and the north itself is just a bunch of instability

[@godswillnna5305]

The best key solution for Nigeria🇳🇬 and its masses is to engage in a democratic process called Referendum. Nigeria🇳🇬 has huge foundational problems that its people must fix via Referendum. It’s time to determine if Nigeria🇳🇬 disintegrate into its original three to four foundational regions. Best to allow emerging nations to become sovereign nations and govern themselves, people and resources. That’s the key and lasting for Nigeria🇳🇬 at this critical moment in the history of Nigerian contraption.

[@ejuet4318]

Nice video prof. James

[@adeyemovictor]

You analyze everything pretty well.

[@ItalianIrishguy]

The biggest security risk to all countries like Nigeria is ethnic and religious conflict.

[@indonesiansasquatch4926]

Love your content as usual! One question, you mentioned the world moving away from fossil fuels. Peter zeihan and the consequences of the ukraine war would suggest otherwise, that we'll see more investment in extraction. Do you think Nigeria could play a role in that or will it be too unstable?

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I think my response to the Ukraine war argument is that while this may have led to a short term need to look to other sources of fossil fuel supplies, which may cause a spike in exploration and exports for some countries, it will also have emphasised the longer term need to move away from them altogether. Renewables and other options will make countries far more self-sufficient and less dependent on dangerous and unstable regimes that are often fed by the profits from fossil fuels. So, Nigeria might get a quick boost. However, I think that it may well mean it has an even steeper drop off at the other end. The sad thing is that the boost is coming when the country remains corrupt and spending a lot on security. Very little of the extra revenue seems likely to make it to where it really needs to go.

[@funfacts737]

Finally someone speaks the Truth for exactly what it is !!!

[@abdiosman8729]

This is my first time watching your video and i give a subscribe You a telling everything perfectly until someone to understand . Am from Kenya .

[@historyking9984]

Maybe it would’ve been better if Nigeria had formed 3 separate more culturally similar countries at decolonization. I feel like they’d be more stable overall

[@farhanatashiga3721]

It would've but that's not what Britain or any colonizing country had in mind at that time. Still all of this could've been prevented if the Nigerian government embrace diversity and treated everyone equally which is something that has never really happened

[@Janoip]

@@farhanatashiga3721 I doubt it. Also, it would only help to a limited extent, the states would then fight over who gets the resource-rich regions, or sea access.

[@jaybee4577]

No, thanks

[@orboakin8074]

The solution for Nigeria is not to divide but to restructure the country for a truly federal republic to exist. India is bigger most of sub-Sharan Africa and has way more diverse ethnicities and languages than Africa does but their country works because they use a federal style of governance and administration.

[@deusexaethera]

It's questionable whether splitting them would've done any good. They could just as easily attack each other across national boundaries as within them. It's really the availability of resources that drives most wars; it's all good fun to hate other people for believing differently than you do, but if your family is employed and well-fed it's hard to bother with actually fighting those other people. As one nation, the various ethnic groups at least all have access to the coastline if they need it; as separate nations some of them wouldn't.

[@fridgemagnet9831]

Would love to hear your take on South Africa.

[@doctordan1668]

Great video. One of the most accurate detailed accounts I’ve seen from a foreigner. I think he missed the key detail that the Southwest has set up “Amotekun” to address her security concerns in line with insecurity in the region and the outfit has had mixed reviews. Firstly, Lagos didn’t join the coalition for selfish reasons as her governor was responding to an appeasement call from the north that wants everything regarding security centralized and controlled by northerners. Then aspects of the new security network’s work have led to clashes with the police.

[@teddclive1506]

Well researched piece of work.., cudos Prof.

[@kingsleyunogaozirigbo8901]

Well spoken my dear, Biafra or death now enough is enough to heil with one Nigeria

[@wamacho]

Nigeria has been collapsing for years. There has been succession of failed governments and ironically,the government is chosen from within the people. There's endemic greed in most Nigerians and the need to dominate the other which can be achieved by having a lot of money .

[@toniaedarioseetchie1424]

Thanks awesomely for this analysis of Nigeria. I will be one of you avid reader and hope to comment constructively.

[@kolaedun8566]

Thank you Prof I doff my hat for this insights.. Very concised. The problem is that they are not willing to solve the fundamental problems. What a people & how will they be able to live in Peace & unity. Nigeria is a basketcase Prof.

[@emmaleno2820]

Nigeria Has Gone And Gone Forever. The Fulanis Said That The Country Was Conquered For Them. While Nigeria Is Preparing For Elections in 2023, We The Biafrans Are Preparing For Referendum. Let The Fulanis Conduct Their Elections In Nigeria.

[@jideofor.brightbright4488]

Yea

[@nubosite]

The role of the British in setting the roots of discrimination by favouring one part of the country over the other, killing off a meritocracy at the very origins of the contraption called Nigeria, should have been highlighted. The continued tinkering by UK and US, especially through their multinational companies was conveniently ignored. The environmental degradation was undertaken by foreign companies, something they wouldn’t be able to do in their own countries. Yes, Nigeria has got many problems, but some of them are down to the makings of western powers.

[@adewilliams8]

Correct Josef

[@cashewnuttel9054]

So if the US and UK paid for their crimes Nigeria will be good again?

[@cashewnuttel9054]

@F. Friedrich Kling Hauss Yeah they can. I blame YOU why I'm not doing well in life, even though I've never met you, but still.

[@nubosite]

@F. Friedrich Kling Hauss I agree that ultimately Nigeria is to blame, but it would be naive of me to assume that Nigeria was free from the considerable and overbearing post colonial interests from the West. Our progress will result in significant adverse economic impact on the West. In all our years of corruption, western multinational corporations profited immensely. Who benefits from the political turmoil in Nigeria since 1960? The Nigerian elite that decide and perpetrate these political turmoils are beholden to western leaders, ultimately. Look at the IMF and other Brendon woods institutions, all they preach is geared to benefit the west and keep us in our position of providing cheap raw materials for them. On the contrary, those former colonial nations that sought progress often faced stiff opposition from the west. My pony is they are not passive bystanders, but to a significant extent actively protect their economic interests by going as far as possible (mostly unethical and sometimes illegal, by the standards of the international laws they set). We have our own problems, and it is ultimately our responsibility. But that task is made even more difficult by the interfering hands of the west in our affairs. By their own laws, the giver and taker of bribes or stolen money are both guilty, yet most of the stolen resources from Nigeria are in the west, yet it is all our fault. Nigeria can be rebuilt again, but by those who can properly appraise our problems and the causes, not just highlight how wrong and bad we have been, but ask why and then seek how to make things right. Forgive my long talk, but my main point is to temper the narrative of the clip with an important aspect of the why we’ve been doing badly. Nigeria go beta, I believe. Pls guys get ur PVC and vote a candidate with the best chance of starting a real change. God bless!

[@socrates7750]

That’s seemingly being the falls of colonialism & the British did rave grace doubts over the grant of independence, they did warn that we weren’t exactly ready, yes they made a cluster fuck up, but these leaders! They derailed us they did the most harm

[@elani6507]

Simply the best coverage of the facts bedevilling Nigeria. The problem is that, there is no country on earth with 100 million Christians and 100 million Muslims under one umbrella. Northern Ireland can’t even have peace even as a Christian country of catholics and Protestants. Why did the British believe diametrically opposed religions can coexist peacefully in the same country? This is a problem that will tear the country apart.

[@tatendamadziba7026]

Loved the discussion…

[@EarnestBunbury]

so this is another example of the resource curse (if rich resources are discovered in an area, without proper state like structures, some people are able to exploit those resources and live well on the revenue. They invest a big part of the states resources in arms and other things that keep them in power, but refrain from investing in institutions, as those might hinder them in the exploitation).

[@HananyaNaftali]

Long live Biafra. Nigeria is a failing country because of the corrupt Buhari.

[@rockwiretv9779]

That's true

[@james_7280]

White man don't say things u know nothing about If u are so fixated on separation go and divide ur country

[@alphaomarbarry6511]

Buhari is not corrupt my Jews brother i am following you in face book read the history good the Igbos are the one who started the civil war I'm a fulani

[@aladedahunsijoshua1166]

@@alphaomarbarry6511 what are you doing Fulani folks doing now??. To start another war right?

[@alphaomarbarry6511]

@@aladedahunsijoshua1166 we the Fulanis always love peace who assassinated sir amadou Bello

[@joyaville]

Thanks prof. I only Commended you for the good job. Thanks so much. The world needs to hear about what we the Christians expecially Biafrans are going through in Nigeria. Nigeria have failed for sure.

[@bukunmirabiu4771]

warm regards Prof, I must commend the accuracy of your findings about Nigeria, I am indeed a Nigerian and never have I seen an accurate report of Nigeria by a foreigner, kudos

[@drsiege3434]

Thank you Professor for this well presented summary. I think it might be pertinent to talk more about kidnapping specifically as a security challenge. It's currently unsafe to travel by road in many parts of the country as whole bus loads of travellers are often hijacked and held for ransom. Many never regain their freedom. Security forces seem unable or unwilling to tackle this scourge effectively and it's difficult to identify the perpetuators. Some victims say they are fulani herdsmen while others say they're locals in the gory business of organ harvesting.

[@crusaders571]

only solution is brake up and form a new cristian country

[@stuckintha90s]

The only relatively safe place is Abuja which is currently encircled by a ring of terrorist gangs in every boundary state. Traveling by Road outside the capital territory is like riding a gauntlet

[@julee2766]

Abuja is not safer than Lagos and Port-harcourt

[@oluwadamilola6233]

Lagos is the safest for now

[@temilola9366]

This is not even true

[@stuckintha90s]

@@julee2766 in Lagos people are robbed in traffic or kidnapped in taxis/buses daily.

[@stuckintha90s]

@@oluwadamilola6233 from terrorism maybe but it's crime infested and very volatile and prone to inter-ethnic clashes like mile 12 market

[@kugul1683]

Enjoyed the video! P. S. Are you planning to look into the protests in Karakalpakstan anytime soon?

[@newformats9570]

Thank you so much, I'm Nigerian and appreciate your analysis