‘Dear Mother Nigeria,
Why does thou feed on thine own seeds?’
In No Nigerian Will Make Heaven?: Tales From An Aspiring Failed Nation State, Peter AghoghoOmuvwie delves into one of Nigeria’s deepest and most painful questions: Why, despite its wealth of resources and strong cultural heritage, does the country seem bound to a cycle of poverty, corruption, and political instability? Omuvwie’s work is not a history lesson but a detailed exploration of Nigeria’s struggles, personified by a symbolic figure he calls “Mother Nigeria”—a conflicted, tragic character who, in Omuvwie’s words, “feeds on her own children.”
This excerpt from No Nigerian Will Make Heaven presents a nuanced look at what Omuvwie terms the “Motherland Curse.” Omuvwie argues that the “curse” haunting Nigeria is not a supernatural phenomenon but a man-made issue rooted in the nation’s political and social structure. This perspective draws from Nigeria’s colonial past, where divisions were deliberately imposed to maintain control and continue extracting resources for foreign interests.
The “Motherland Curse”: Nigeria’s Self-Destructive Loop
Omuvwie describes the ‘’Motherland Curse’’ as a cycle driven by two primary factors: Acute Social Fission (ASF) and Political Repression. Through ASF, Omuvwie explains how the country’s various ethnic, religious, and regional identities are often manipulated, creating divides that distract from collective goals. He describes ASF as “a permanent feature in Mother Nigeria’s DNA,” fueling competition rather than cooperation.
In the book, Omuvwie gives real-world examples of ASF at work. One significant case he examines is the manipulation of ethnic tensions during elections. Political figures, he claims, have consistently stoked ethnic rivalries as a tool to garner votes, using these tactics to avoid accountability on national issues. ASF, according to Omuvwie, leaves the country fractured and unable to tackle the larger issues that affect the whole population.
Political Repression: The Core of Nigeria’s “Curse”
The second pillar of Nigeria’s curse, Political Repression, is just as potent as ASF. Omuvwie observes that, throughout Nigeria’s history, oppressive political regimes have restricted freedom of speech and dissent, leaving little room for reform. While some leaders have promised change, the structure remains largely the same, with the country’s resources often in the hands of a select few.
Omuvwie suggests that Nigeria’s repressive systems prevent citizens from holding leaders accountable. According to him, the lack of transparency fuels corruption, while leaders protect themselves and each other, ensuring that the status quo remains unchallenged. By exposing these patterns, Omuvwie highlights how Political Repression functions as a barrier that prevents Nigeria’s citizens from initiating meaningful change.
Rich in Resources, Poor in Accountability
A central question in Omuvwie’s exploration of the Motherland Curse is why a country so wealthy in resources remains unable to provide a better life for its people. Nigeria is home to vast oil reserves, fertile lands, and a young, ambitious population—resources that many countries would view as a pathway to prosperity. But Omuvwie argues that mismanagement and exploitation have turned these assets into liabilities.
In this excerpt, Omuvwie illustrates the frustrating cycle of resource dependency. The oil industry, which should be a source of national wealth, has been turned into a political weapon and a way of personal enrichment, he says. Omuvwie notes that rather than spending on public services or diversifying the economy, the leadership of Nigeria often prefers to focus on projects that keep them in control. The projects don’t get done at all, and the money is systemically embezzled by the political leadership, leaving essential services underfunded and contributing to Nigeria’s ongoing struggles.
This focus on quick gains and power retention adds vulnerability to international economic fluctuations and restricts innovation in other sectors, perpetuating a reliance on oil that brings more volatility than stability. Omuvwie’s work underscores how this culture of embezzlement and neglect creates a grim cycle, where resources that could lift the nation instead drive it deeper into crisis.
The “Courtroom” of Public Opinion
Using the powerful metaphor of a courtroom, Omuvwie places Nigeria’s problems on trial. In this courtroom, “Mother Nigeria” stands accused of devouring her own children, each one a victim of chronic corruption, poverty, and poor governance. Omuvwie’s work is, therefore, not merely an analysis of Nigeria’s past or present but a call for introspection and accountability.
As Omuvwie lays bare the “accusations” of Acute Social Fission (ASF) and Political Repression, he invites readers to consider solutions and begin holding those responsible to account. This courtroom scene underscores the severity of Nigeria’s issues and points to a predictable future shaped by the conditions of the past and present. Without a shift in direction, the patterns of corruption and social division threaten to repeat, dragging Nigeria deeper into crisis. Omuvwie’s courtroom metaphor thus emphasizes the urgent need for Nigerians—and the global community—to confront these structural problems and envision a different future for Nigeria, one where the potential of its resources and people is fully realized.
A Global Reflection on Poverty and Power
Although Omuvwie’s book focuses on Nigeria, it resonates with the struggles faced by many African and developing countries. By examining Nigeria’s “curse,” Omuvwie also provides a broader commentary on how nations can be kept in poverty through systemic mismanagement and political repression.
With No Nigerian Will Make Heaven, Omuvwie hopes to offer Nigerians, Africans, and interested readers worldwide an opportunity to examine how real reform might be achieved. Through his thought-provoking narrative, Omuvwie poses a challenge to his readers: confront the “Motherland Curse” head-on, question the systems in place, and envision a future in which Nigeria’s potential is finally realized.