The prevalence of tribalism, nepotism, cronyism and other forms of discriminations in our land, has become the norm. These anomalies are unquestionably detrimental to our society, inflicting straggering cost on our economy. Denying citizens of equal opportunities and discriminating on the bases of tribe, race and religion, diminishes and impoverishes the economic well-being of millions of the members of the society, including that of many who may not consider themselves direct victims.
The enthronement of these systemic vile and negative vices has had far- reaching pernicious effects on the economy of the country. From its effect on educational attainment to psychological deprivations, the scope of the toll that the society suffers as direct consequences, are dire and continuously growing.
The considerable loss and the reduction in the level of, and long-term growth of the economy is costly thereby affecting business investment and economic activity and growth.
When the war ended in 1970, the Nigerian government reintroduced the imbedded British grave and ingrained culture of tribalism deliberately left by the British as their parting gift with their exit at the end of the evil colonial regime.
Instead of embracing the talents and ingenuity of the Biafran scientist who sustained a three-year war with local inventions, Nigeria threw these scientists in jail, sent some to exile discarding their creativity ingenuity just because they were Igbo and easterners. Those enormous creative losses had direct effect on the economy and the growth and development of the country. To estimate the harm caused by this form of tribalism, would be incalculable. In economic sense, such practices have cost our economy very high percentages of aggregate productivity and output today.
When the 2nd World War ended in 1945, America, recognizing the ingenuity of their enemies’ scientists, recruited a vast number of the German and Japanese scientists and infused them into their technology network, creating a huge industrial development that created a massive revolution in the growth of the country. The tribes or races of these scientists did not matter. What mattered, was what they were able to bring to the development of the country. In Nigeria, the reverse was the case ─ Our leaders were then blinded by tribalism, and today, are still neck-deep in these practices that have stunted the growth and development of our country.
When people wonder why the Nigerian State has lacked meaningful development, they should look no further, but at the practices of tribalism, nepotism and cronyism. My guess is that aggregate economic growth and development would have been monumental if tribal gaps have been closed to a significant point to providing equal opportunities for all ─ maximizing talent and living standards for all Nigerians regardless of tribe, religion or other inconsequential affinities.
There is substantial evidence of pre-conceived and expertly executed systemic tribal nepotistic discrimination in all spheres of our society, but of much concern is that in the field of education. The “affirmative action” that places a Northern student with lover examination marks and inferior qualifications way above the before a Southern student, is considered a disastrous misnomer, destroying the quality of the workforce feeds the economy and institutional development of the country.
Without any shadow of doubt, the positive effects of diversity and meritocracy produce better outcome in promoting economic growth and innovation. Every government must inculcate social compact of equalization that provides high standards of living for all, without robbing countless people of their rightful and legitimate place and position by allowing tribalism, nepotism and cronyisms to flourish.
While we parade a “constitution” drafted created to unite us, to bring justice, equality, fairness, tranquility and defense to all, our leaders, especially the ones in power now, have no commitment to these ideals and to the goals and aspiration of our nation. Their loyalty is to something else ─ to their primitive, primodially gutless internecine nonsensical actions.
Right after the civil war, the trend toward ethnic and tribal parity slowed, stumped, stopped and even went into reverse gears. Understanding why this happened in a full and comprehensive study in the fractured nature of fragility of the country. To further explore this trend will provide a clarity and an illumination to a path forward, toward a better and perfect union.
The Igbo to a larger extend have been at the receiving end of these disparities in tribal discriminations.
Okey Anueyiagu
Author,
Biafra, The Horrors of War.
