Opinion
Culture And Sustainable Development
As the 2010 annual Rivers State Carnival (CARNIRIV) scheduled for December draws near, there is the’ need for the state government and people of the state to bring into focus the economic potentialities of culture.
CARNIRIV should not only be seen as an event aimed at showcasing the rich and colourful heritage of the state, of which the highlights would be cultural exhibitions, musical concerts, and story telling. It should rather be viewed as a means of presenting the wealth and productive capacity of the state and the elements which unite the people in cultural expressions. It should serve as a platform for brainstorming on how we can use our traditional resources for our industrialization and improvement in the quality of the people. And it should provide a unique opportunity for government to identify and assemble the capacities, affinities, and characteristics of our various cultures including arts, artifacts, and beliefs that can promote sustainable development; a capacity for translating resources at the disposal of the state to address the issues of unemployment, poverty, and inequality.
The statement credited to Mr. Inimfon Etuk of Messagewise Ltd, the Consultant for the event, should not be an ordinary tale that signifies nothing. According to Mr. Etuk, the 2010 CARNIRIV which has as its theme Experience Rivers, is expected to reflect dynamic improvements in terms of scope of participation, variety of activities, quality of’ cultural content, competitiveness, and broadened business and merchandising opportunities
This means that the annual carnival is not an end by itself, but a means to an end. The end being the cultural mobilization of Rivers people for the promotion of their cultural image, their spiritual and material wellbeing, and the sustainable development of the entire state.
Culture is not just an expression of aesthetics, values, philosophies, moral, and customs but the totality of the way of life evolved by a people in their attempt to meet the challenge of living in their spiritual, physical, political, and socio- economic environment. Culture is dynamic. It is always in a state of flux, a state of becoming. This is why it is absurd to think that our culture would remain static especially in view of our colonial and post – colonial experience.
Therefore, as we savour the spectacle of cultural display by the 23 Local Government Areas of the state during the carnival, we should bear in mind that for any society to survive and achieve sustainable development, the basic needs of adaptation, goal attainment, integration or pattern maintenance must be satisfied.
Yes, we cannot separate ourselves from our past without, at the same time, occasioning tremendous damage to the social and psychological aspects of our society but the maintenance or extension of any element of our culture should be determined by its effectiveness to propel the state and its people to a level of life-sustenance, self-esteem, and freedom from servitude. These core values or indicators of sustainable development which relate to fundamental human needs represent the common goals sought by all individuals and nations across the world.
Rivers State is not only blessed with abundant natural resources, it is also blessed with numerous ethnic nationalities. In fact, it is said to be the most ethnically-plural state in the country with each ethnic group characterized by its own language and other self conscious cultural qualities.
In this regard, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism should, before, during, and after the event, identify and promote those cultural elements across the state that can bring about political, and socio-economic cohesion ,and values of loyalty towards central political institutions without prejudice against any political office holder based on his ethnic nationality.
The time has come for the government and people of Rivers state to see culture not just as a ceremonial social phenomenon for winning of laurels both within and outside the state but as a dynamic and collective enterprise that can drive sustainable development.
From all indications, Nigeria possesses enough human and material resources to become a true economic powerhouse in Africa. According to the National Population Commission (NPC, 2023), the country’s population has grown steadily within the last decade, presently standing at about 220 million people—mostly young, vibrant, and innovative. Nigeria also remains the sixth-largest oil producer in the world, with enormous reserves of gas, fertile agricultural land, and human capital.
Yet, despite this enormous potential, the country continues to grapple with underdevelopment, poverty, unemployment, and insecurity. Recent data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS, 2023) show that about 129 million Nigerians currently live below the poverty line. Most families can no longer afford basic necessities, even as the government continues to project a rosy economic picture.
The Subsidy Question
The removal of fuel subsidy in 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been one of the most controversial policy decisions in Nigeria’s recent history. According to the president, subsidy removal was designed to reduce fiscal burden, unify the foreign exchange rate, attract investment, curb inflation, and discourage excessive government borrowing.
While these objectives are theoretically sound, the reality for ordinary Nigerians has been severe hardship. Fuel prices more than tripled, transportation costs surged, and food inflation—already high—rose above 30% (NBS, 2023). The World Bank (2023) estimates that an additional 7.1 million Nigerians were pushed into poverty after subsidy removal.
A Critical Economic View
As an economist, I argue that the problem was not subsidy removal itself—which was inevitable—but the timing, sequencing, and structural gaps in Nigeria’s implementation.
- Structural Miscalculation
Nigeria’s four state-owned refineries remain nonfunctional. By removing subsidies without local refining capacity, the government exposed the economy to import-price pass-through effects—where global oil price shocks translate directly into domestic inflation. This was not just a timing issue but a fundamental policy miscalculation.
- Neglect of Social Safety Nets
Countries like Indonesia (2005) and Ghana (2005) removed subsidies successfully only after introducing cash transfers, transport vouchers, and food subsidies for the poor (World Bank, 2005). Nigeria, however, implemented removal abruptly, shifting the fiscal burden directly onto households without protection.
- Failure to Secure Food and Energy Alternatives
Fuel subsidy removal amplified existing weaknesses in agriculture and energy. Instead of sequencing reforms, government left Nigerians without refinery capacity, renewable energy alternatives, or mechanized agricultural productivity—all of which could have cushioned the shock.
Political and Public Concerns
Prominent leaders have echoed these concerns. Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, described the subsidy removal as “good but wrongly timed.” Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party also faulted the government’s hasty approach. Human rights activists like Obodoekwe Stive stressed that refineries should have been made functional first, to reduce the suffering of citizens.
This is not just political rhetoric—it reflects a widespread economic reality. When inflation climbs above 30%, when purchasing power collapses, and when households cannot meet basic needs, the promise of reform becomes overshadowed by social pain.
Broader Implications
The consequences of this policy are multidimensional:
- Inflationary Pressures – Food inflation above 30% has made nutrition unaffordable for many households.
- Rising Poverty – 7.1 million Nigerians have been newly pushed into poverty (World Bank, 2023).
- Middle-Class Erosion – Rising transport, rent, and healthcare costs are squeezing household incomes.
- Debt Concerns – Despite promises, government borrowing has continued, raising sustainability questions.
- Public Distrust – When government promises savings but citizens feel only pain, trust in leadership erodes.
In effect, subsidy removal without structural readiness has widened inequality and eroded social stability.
Missed Opportunities
Nigeria’s leaders had the chance to approach subsidy removal differently:
- Refinery Rehabilitation – Ensuring local refining to reduce exposure to global oil price shocks.
- Renewable Energy Investment – Diversifying energy through solar, hydro, and wind to reduce reliance on imported petroleum.
- Agricultural Productivity – Mechanization, irrigation, and smallholder financing could have boosted food supply and stabilized prices.
- Social Safety Nets – Conditional cash transfers, food vouchers, and transport subsidies could have protected the most vulnerable.
Instead, reform came abruptly, leaving citizens to absorb all the pain while waiting for theoretical long-term benefits.
Conclusion: Reform With a Human Face
Fuel subsidy removal was inevitable, but Nigeria’s approach has worsened hardship for millions. True reform must go beyond fiscal savings to protect citizens.
Economic policy is not judged only by its efficiency but by its humanity. A well-sequenced reform could have balanced fiscal responsibility with equity, ensuring that ordinary Nigerians were not crushed under the weight of sudden change.
Nigeria has the resources, population, and resilience to lead Africa’s economy. But leadership requires foresight. It requires policies that are inclusive, humane, and strategically sequenced.
Reform without equity is displacement of poverty, not development. If Nigeria truly seeks progress, its policies must wear a human face.
References
- National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). (2023). Poverty and Inequality Report. Abuja.
- National Population Commission (NPC). (2023). Population Estimates. Abuja.
- World Bank. (2023). Nigeria Development Update. Washington, DC.
- World Bank. (2005). Fuel Subsidy Reforms: Lessons from Indonesia and Ghana. Washington, DC.
- OPEC. (2023). Annual Statistical Bulletin. Vienna.
By: Amarachi Amaugo