Prof. Pat Utomi, a leading political economist, recently offered a critical perspective on Nigeria’s challenges in a recent interview. Speaking from his base in the United States, where he is on a Woodrow Wilson fellowship, Utomi discussed the country’s slide into crisis.
The Interview
Q You described your US trip as “light Japa” (emigrating for greener pastures).
Ans “It’s not Japa; I’m on a Woodrow Wilson fellowship, a routine I follow every ten years to write a new book. I was also here last year for health reasons.“
Q What’s your take on the state of the nation?
Ans “It’s distressing. Policies are designed for political games, not the people’s interests. The Nigerian political system is now a complete criminal enterprise. Institutions like INEC, the police, and the military are captured. Nigerians feel enslaved.“
Q You predicted this in your book, “Why Not?”
Ans “Yes, I warned about creeping fascism, state capture, and criminal hijack of politics. During the 2019 elections, I saw increasing fascism tendencies in politicians’ thinking, similar to Hitler’s ascendancy in Germany.”
Q Supporters say President Tinubu didn’t cause all the problems.
Ans “I’m not into who caused it. Tinubu kept quiet during Buhari’s eight years, compounding the problem. In 2019, I told him President Buhari was leading us to a dangerous place, but he chose to remain strategic rather than concerned about Nigerians.”
Q Do you attribute the current hardship to fuel subsidy removal and naira floatation?
Ans “We need to subsidize production, not consumption. Remove subsidy, but think of its impact. Our economy depends on rent, not production. Emefiele’s policies compounded this, destroying our structural programs and educational system.“
Q How long will recovery take?
Ans “I don’t know; they might do worse. We need indigenous intellectuals to drive production.“
Q What’s your advice to Nigerians?
Ans “Recognize politicians can’t save you; they don’t care. Take back your country through due electoral processes, international courts, or peaceful revolts. Kayode Fayemi said it best: ‘The people must take their country back and save themselves.'”
Q How can the people take back their country?
Ans “Chase them out as they did in Bangladesh or ensure electoral processes count. Sue them in international courts. Focus on what makes the country work and force these people out.“
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