Opinion
Fatherhood: An Endangered Species?
A father is a male parent or a male figure who plays a paternal role in a child’s life. He is typically the biological father, but can also be an adoptive father, stepfather, foster father, or a male guardian. A father is often seen as a source of guidance and direction, support and encouragement, love and nurturing, discipline, role modelling and mentorship, as well as provision and protection. A father’s presence can have a profound impact on children’s lives, shaping their values, beliefs, and personalities. It can also be a source of strength, comfort, and inspiration, helping the children navigate life’s challenges and celebrate triumphs. Being a father is not just about biology; it is about being present, involved, and committed to a child’s well-being and development. Fathers come in many forms, and their roles and responsibilities can vary widely depending on cultural, social, and personal contexts.
A family without a father therefore, is like a ship without a captain, lost and drifting aimlessly. It is a family without a sense of security, stability, and guidance. It is a family where the children lack a male role model, emotional support, and a sense of identity. It is a family that is vulnerable, broken, and in need of healing. Like a garden without a gardener, such family would lack care and nourishment. Suffice it to say that children who grow up without a father figure in their life, remain like a puzzle with a missing piece, incomplete and imperfect. They are not only more likely to suffer from low self-esteem and depression, but are also more prone to anxiety and stress-related disorders. This deficiency traits haunt them all through life to the point that their immediate environments, and society at large are not exonerated from devastating effects of their distorted lifestyles. The rise of single-parent households and the increasing number of absent fathers have further exacerbated the problem.
This is why God did not consider it an error placing man to be called father, as the head of the family, to teach children valuable life skills, such as discipline, hard work, and responsibility, shaping their values and beliefs. But when a home actually has a male figure called father and yet the offsprings have nothing to show for it, it becomes a cause to worry about. Have we taken time to observe that we seem to be living in a generation that begats sons and daughters who act and behave like they have never felt the touch of a father? Does it really concern us that what once bothered on morals and integrity no longer count in our own time? From the leaders down to the led, adults and infants, that sense of culture and homeliness which depict a fulfilled assignment of a father appears missing, leaving a question mark on the position of the supposed fatherly role in the life of a child. Today, we have grown-ups without initiatives, political thugs, whore mongers, criminals and corrupt individuals in high and low places who have lost consciousness of their self worth. To these ones, discipline and decorum are thrown to the winds.
It may not be out of place to state that changing social norms and cultural values, in addition to economic pressures and work-related stress have forced fathers to become disconnected from their families even when they are not miles away from home. These are underlying issues that need be addressed to create an environment conducive enough to get fathers involved. When fatherhood, a once revered and sacred institution, begins to gradually become an endangered species, the traditional family structure, that once served as the backbone of society, starts crumbling. This trend has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only families but also society as a whole. The absence of fathers does not only have a profound impact on children’s emotional and psychological well-being, its consequences are far-reaching and devastating. We must recognise the importance of fathers in shaping their children’s mental health and take steps to ensure their involvement. Fatherhood is not just a biological tie; it is a nurturing and guiding force. Fathers provide stability, security, and love, essential for a child’s growth and development. We must acknowledge the significance of fathers and strive to preserve this vital institution.
The decline of fatherhood has both social and economic implications. Apart from homes being prone to experience poverty, and children less likely to have access to resources and opportunities, such as education and job training, it predisposes the society to crime, and social unrest, while registering profound impact on community cohesion and social stability. This is why it warrants attention and action. Moreso, studies have shown that children without fathers are more likely to suffer from emotional and behavioural problems. They are also more prone to substance abuse and criminal behaviour. Fatherlessness is a ticking time bomb, threatening the very fabric of our society. We must take immediate action to address this crisis and restore the dignity of fatherhood. This can only be achieved by recognising the value of fathers and encouraging their involvement in family life.
More can still be achieved through initiatives that promote father-child bonding, such as parenting classes and support groups. We must also create opportunities for fathers to connect with their children, through activities and programmes that foster meaningful relationships. Fatherhood is not just a personal choice, but a social responsibility. Fathers have a duty to provide for their children, to protect them, and to teach them distinquish right from wrong. The revival of fatherhood requires a cultural shift. We must challenge traditional gender roles and stereotypes, recognising the importance of fathers in family life. We must also create opportunities for fathers to connect with their children, through activities and programmes that foster meaningful relationships.
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