Can we change?

Let me tell a very short story: As I walked around on a rainy day, the rain is pounding hard on the wet sand-filled path. Then, I notice a cat (or I think it's a cat) cringing from the force of the rain. Feeling pity, I pick up the cat and bring it home with me. I construct a cage where the cat can stay and live. Before one gets sentimental, there are some things one should know about the cat. It is a carnivorous cat; one that has never eaten vegetables before. The cat has always lived in the forest where I found it, and that is the only home the cat has ever known. But, now that the cat lives with me, the only food I place in the cage are vegetables and water. I place different vegetables for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But, no trace of meat at all. Now, there are only two possible outcomes: either the cat becomes a vegetarian or the cat dies. What outcome is it? Does the cat adapt or does it die? Should it adapt? Or, better yet, can it adapt?

Thank you for bearing with the story. But, I'm no story teller and this post is not about cats or anything related to cats. Read on and hopefully you can connect the above story to what I shall write below.


When our family moved to the United States, unlike my little brother, I was old enough to know, feel, and tell the difference between the US and Nigeria. Apart from how amazing it was to finally leave Nigeria, and go to the often quoted 'land of dreams and opportunities,' one couldn't help but wonder aloud about what actually makes the US different from Nigeria. Most immigrants are always in awe that when crossing a road in the US, the cars go out of their way to allow pedestrians to cross the road. Just imagine living in Lagos and waking up one morning to slowly and diligently cross any street without hearing all the honking of the cars that pass by or the insults that spew from their mouths; that's if you are lucky that you did get to the other side of the road alive.

Many immigrants are amazed that drivers do actually stop at the red lights; that drivers do come to a halt at a STOP sign even though there is no living soul around; that honking is almost unheard of; that the streets are not littered with trash and garbage; in summary, that there seems to be order everywhere. I can keep on writing a laundry list of all the differences, but to what use?

Now, when people attempt to explain fundamentally why these two countries are different, they often say: 'It's the people.' They argue that the peoples are different and Nigeria is the way it is because of Nigerians. The tribal groups would always hate one another, and the yorubas are only interested in helping yorubas not Nigerians.

I disagree with that viewpoint and instead attribute the difference between Nigeria and every developed nation to the environment in which Nigerians are born, and live in. If one changes the environment and living situation of Nigerians, one would be surprised at how Nigerians would change to adapt to their new environment.

I always hear people say that Nigerians can never change; that we are selfish and only concerned about ourselves; that we are lawless and will do anything to circumvent any laws that are made; that we are inherently corrupt etc. etc.

The people of Nigeria are the 'cat' in the opening paragraph. All they know is the Nigeria of today. But to fundamentally change Nigerians, we have to change their environment. One way to do that is to develop the Nigerian economy and diversify our exports. Upgrade current NNPC refineries to increase our production of petroleum products, even if that means totally removing fuel subsidies. Increase our exportation of cash crops like cocoa, cotton, etc. Support the creation of new industries like the chemical industry, textile industry, mining industry and much more. Once people no longer need to break the law to get food, it becomes easier to follow the law. Once food has been provided, Nigerians can then focus on the other essentials that can make Nigeria great. Educate our children and arm them with the resources to change the country. Start a revolution to topple our corrupt leaders, and make it impossible for any corrupt or lawless individual to thrive in a new Nigeria. Punish Nigerians when they break laws, including those who are supposed to enforce the law (i.e. policemen). Let Nigerians know that lawlessness is inherently a crime.

Do all these and then tell me that the people of Nigeria will not change. They will become vegetarians if need be and they will have to be if they want to survive in the new environment they find themselves living in. And for those who are skeptical, ask yourself this: If one truly wants to change Nigeria, isn't it better to change the environment Nigerians live in than to change Nigerians themselves.

Changing a person is difficult, but changing the environment the person lives in is 'much easier.' If you then change the environment, then the person will be forced to adapt. The person will fight back, and that 'cat' will meow and roar and make all the noise it can. But, when the person realizes that the force of change around him is greater than what he can possibly do to stop and reverse it, the person will adapt and find a way to survive in the new world. It's either that, or he dies.