Skip to main content

Bridging the Gap: Why Nigeria's Progress Must Mean Equity For All. By: Eze Anthony

In response to the thought-provoking  article " The Paradox Of Progress" published on T-Fresh Civic Voice, I reflect on why  Nigeria's development journey cannot be celebrated without addressing the widening gap of inequality. This more than an opinion- it's a call to action for my generation and beyond.

In an era defined by rapid technological strides, economic milestones, and social advancement, one would expect a corresponding decline in poverty and inequality. Yet as highlighted in " The Paradox Of Progress"  on Tfresh Civic Voice, inequality stubbornly persists not only globally but more disturbingly, here in Nigeria. This contradiction calls us to rethink what true progress means, and more importantly, who it is meant for.
 
 In Nigeria, the gap between the wealthy elite and struggling masses continues to widen. While tech startups flourish in Lagos and billionaires emerge in oil and telecom sectors, millions of Nigerians still live without access to quality education, healthcare, or steady employment. According to the National Bureau of Statistics over 60% of Nigerians still live below the poverty line. These numbers are not just statistics they represent real people: children hawking on streets, graduates without jobs, and families with no access to clean water.

 As the Paradox of Progress rightly points out, neoliberal policies and unchecked capitalism often reward the few while leaving the majority behind. But in Nigeria, the effects are even more compounded by corruption, poor governance, systemic neglect. Here, inequality  isn't just about income- it's about opportunity. Who do you know often matters more than what you know. Where you're born can determine whether you  survive or thrive.

Yet, this is not a call to despair. It is a call to action.

 To truly tackle inequality in Nigeria, we must move beyond policies crafted in air- conditioned offices. We must bring development to rural communities, invest heavily in public education and healthcare, and build systems that prioritize fairness over favoritism. It's time to see governance not as a privilege for the few, but as a duty to the many.

 Moreover, we must elevate youth voices and empower students to lead advocacy for inclusive development. We- the youth must become the change we seek, by engaging in journalism, civic participation , and community leadership.

 Progress is not progress if it leaves millions behind. A nation only truly rises when all its peoples have the tools, the rights, and the opportunities to rise with it. Let us be bold enough to redefine progress- not by how high our towers rise, but by how many people we lift.



Eze Anthony is a student of English/ Social studies at College of Education Zuba, an aspiring journalist, and a passionate advocate for social change in Nigeria.h
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

ezeanthony690@gmail.com

Popular posts from this blog

Preparing Future Educators: FCT COE Zuba Holds Teaching Practice Orientation.

The College of Education, FCT Zuba, has organized a Teaching Practice Orientation aimed at equipping student teachers with the skills, knowledge, and experience required for effective classroom engagement. Speaking during the programme, the Director of Continuing Education, Mr. Laah Emmanuel, described the orientation as a critical step in preparing students for the transition from theoretical learning to practical teaching. “It is for equipping students with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience,” he said. He noted that this year’s exercise has been strengthened with the involvement of the Quality Assurance Unit to guide students and ensure proper standards are maintained. According to him, the college prepares student teachers through continuous training from admission up to the point of teaching practice. “The school trains students from admission to the time they are sent out. That is the primary role of teaching practice,” he added. Mr. Laah also highlighted some of the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Left to the Streets: Inside the Struggles of Almajiri Children in Runji, Zuba. By Anthony Eze

Between Faith and Survival: Community Voices Raise Concern Over Almajiri Children in Runji, Zuba RUNJI, ZUBA, ABUJA — Along the dusty streets of Runji community in Zuba, Abuja, young boys carrying plastic bowls move from house to house asking for food or money. For many residents, the sight of these children wandering the streets has become a common but troubling reality. The children are part of the traditional Almajiri system, where young boys are sent away from home to study the Qur’an under Islamic teachers, popularly known as Mallams. However, interviews conducted with residents in the community reveal mixed reactions about the system and its impact on the children and the society around them. “Many Parents Have Abandoned the Children," Mallam An Islamic teacher in the community, Salisu Isah, explained that the Almajiri system was originally intended to help children gain Islamic knowledge, especially those who lack access to formal education. According to him, ma...
Post a Comment
Read more

Nigeria's N988bn Education Budget Fails to Stem Out-of-School Crisis By Anthony Eze

Nigeria's education budget has increased significantly in recent years, rising from ₦602 billion in 2020 to ₦988 billion in 2024. Yet, despite this sustained public investment, the country continues to have the world's largest population of out-of-school children—estimated at 18.3 million, according to UNESCO and UNICEF's 2024 reports. Put differently, one in every five out-of-school children globally is Nigerian. The contradiction is striking. While federal allocations have grown, more than ₦250 billion in Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) matching grants reportedly remained unassessed or unutilized by state governments as of mid-2025, according to UBEC officials. This is no longer simply a question of inadequate funding. The evidence increasingly points to systemic governance challenges, weak accountability, poor implementation, insecurity, and misplaced priorities that continue to deny millions of Nigerian children—particularly those in conflict-affected northe...
Post a Comment
Read more