In The Dual Mandate, Lugard described the “typical African” as having a simple, childlike temperament, lacking self-control and foresight, and possessing intellectual inferiority. He also claimed Africans were deficient in organization and had an underdeveloped spirituality.

In as much as we call these views racism, I will like to dig deep by saying was Lugard wrong, Since we gained independence have we organized?, Have we not promoted tribalism and nepotism?, Have we not built an elite class on rentier system,

Have we developed our institutions? The British left 3000km of railway line, we have only added over 1000km to it. In British 100 years of colonization , they have built more rail in Nigeria than we have built since we gained independence!

In over 65 years of independence, we have struggled to produce about 5-6,000 MW, while we see what Egypt has done.

When we had the oil boom in the 70s, by the 80s we were broke.

Didn’t we distribute import licenses to party politicians in the 80s that destroyed our economy afterwards.

Didn’t we give out land and juicy gifts to politicians, Didn’t we play the winner takes it all game with Shagari’s party?.

Like Onyeka Onwenu Documentary says “We Squandered our riches”

Every generation, we keep creating rent seekers and we call them industrialist but the industries cannot build general wealth and increase the purchasing power of the society.

Only in Nigeria,the scenario plays out, where people that could barely afford clothes, now have private jets because they held political power in the span of 25years

Our young people are demoralized, they see the squander but the best they get is to be internet trolls for the politicians.

Reserves are high, inflation is coming down, our programs are working they say, but we see more hungry faces and homeless people, as basic rent for 2bed is over 2m.

Everyone wants to be a politician because the national cake is there to share, out of a 36 billion dollar budget graced by borrowing.

Who are we at 65? When people flee their homes in Ilorin due to banditry, but the same bandits are doing peace meetings and granting press conferences.

In Nigeria today, scientists are no longer celebrated, Gone are the days Chike-Obi was famous for Maths equations, Bandits are the celebrities, even politicians do photo-ups with them!

WHO are we at 65?