Nigeria’s problems have been extensively analyzed, but the solutions proposed and applied to date have been unsuccessful, ineffective and a total failure due to a misdiagnosis of the issues. Applying wrong medication to an ailment does not cure the condition, but could at times make things worse. While corruption, poor leadership, unemployment, and decaying infrastructures are commonly cited problems, they are merely symptoms of the underlying ailment afflicting the nation. A thorough and clinical examination of Nigeria’s situation reveals that the root causes of its problems are unethical behavior and lack of moral compass. This conclusion was reached by applying mathematical principles of probability.
High moral and ethical standards compels good behaviors, doing the right thing and avoidance of greed and corruption, while its absence is a catalyst for corruption, deceit, criminality and other social vices. Thus the importance of these values in shaping and ensuring good governance and in nation cannot be overemphasized. For instance, if we consider two baskets of tomatoes, one with good samples and the other with bad samples, the probability of randomly selecting a good tomato from the good basket is near 100%, while the probability of selecting a bad tomato from the same basket is near 0%. Conversely, the probability of selecting a good tomato from the bad basket is near 0%, while the probability of selecting a bad tomato is near 100%. Applying this analogy to Nigeria, it becomes clear that our political leaders are a reflection of our society and that if we have a moral and ethical society, then our leadership will be a reflection of that. Consequently, there is an urgent need to transform our society morally and ethically- culture change.
However, to effect meaningful change, a cultural and ethical transformation is necessary. This can be achieved by introducing ethics, integrity, and moral values into school curricula, promoting public awareness campaigns, and encouraging civil society organizations to promote accountability and personal responsibility. Ultimately, this transformation will require a collective efforts to change the values and norms that have become entrenched in Nigerian society. The efficacy of culture change from the bottom up and ethical transformation is apparent when you consider the boiling water theory. For example when is been heated, the hot molecules at the bottom migrates to the top while
Adapting the following could be a good starting point:
▪ Changing school curriculum to include the teaching of ethics, moral values and integrity.
▪ Facilitate the emergence of civil society organizations that will promote culture change, accountability and personal responsibility.
▪ Embark on public awareness campaigns to educate the people on the importance of ethics, high moral values and integrity.
▪ Use movies and documentaries to promote the right values and the importance of citizenship.
▪ Enlist the support of other organizations like labor and youth groups in promoting the fight against “Oga Abeg” syndrome.
▪ Call for the eradication of state of origin or local government of origin in all government processes and its replacement with state and local government area of residence.
▪ Educate the people to embrace the concept of atonement, and restitution before forgiveness.
▪ Educate the people on the evils of corruption and how Naira spraying is a gateway to corruption.
▪ Work with various governmental agencies and civil society to promote the training on ethical standards and high moral values.
▪ Promoting a more robust engagement from the National Orientation Agency.
▪ Advocate for passage of lifestyle audit for all public officials
▪ Call for the appointment of a tenured special prosecutor or independent counsel to prosecute all cases of corruption and violation of ethical standards.
There is no question that if our society embraces culture change and apply the above recommendations, we will be on our way to having an ethical nation free from the vices of greed, corruption, and lawlessness. So, let the journey to new Nigeria begin with you and continually ask yourself how are my actions today helping to create the Nigeria of my dreams.
Nosa Osaikhuiwu is a Culture Change advocate and President of Council for Culture Change and Ethical Transformation.