Fix the Institutions to Fix Nigeria…
By Nick Agule
Anthony Joshua would never permit a vehicle he is travelling in to be driven at such reckless speeds in the UK, fully aware of the serious police enforcement consequences that would follow.
Yet in Nigeria, he sat calmly while the vehicle sped excessively, carried out dangerous overtaking, and ultimately crashed into a stationary truck. Look at the extent of the damage to the Lexus. Two lives have been lost, and Joshua himself was injured.
This is why I continue to argue that Nigeria’s core problem is not the people, but the system. We make a grave mistake when we focus solely on individuals and heap blame on them.
Fix the system, and people will adjust their behaviour. Allow the system to remain broken, and misconduct becomes normalised. The same Joshua who would never tolerate this behaviour in the UK did so in Nigeria. Same person, different systems, different outcomes. Clearly, the issue is not the man – it is the system.
Many Nigerian roads lack clearly displayed speed-limit signs and have virtually no enforcement through speed cameras or consistent policing. This effectively gives drivers free rein to drive at whatever speed they choose, often with tragic consequences.
Were the occupants wearing seatbelts? If they were, there is a strong possibility they might have survived the impact. Lady Diana’s car struck a concrete pillar, yet the bodyguard seated in the front passenger seat survived. Driving without a seatbelt is reckless behaviour – something they would almost certainly not do in the UK.
Was alcohol a factor? DUI is behaviour they would be very unlikely to attempt in the UK, given the strict enforcement and consequences.
Until Nigeria strengthens the rule of law and rebuilds its institutions, meaningful progress will remain elusive. Our hopes for a prosperous nation will continue to fade as lives are lost within this broken system.
May the souls of the departed rest in peace. Wishing Joshua a speedy recovery.
One can only hope that some lessons have been learned – tragically, at a very high cost.
Nick Agule is a public affairs analyst (nick.agule@yahoo.co.uk)
