We have crude oil but we are still poor

[boyptc]

The painful thing is that this money is actually paid to the host communities through their rules and council of chiefs who refuse to distribute this money paid to them by the companies... It's not the fault of the company that the benefits don't get to the members of that community... In all we can do better as Nigerians to help ourselves out of this humiliation...

It's the same scheme, corrupt leaders, corrupt councils, corrupt politicians and everyone who's on the top of these deals.

The money only goes to their pockets and none or few of their communities and people are getting what they're paid for.

If these companies that benefits from your community are guaranteeing grants, they should also be part of the deal of nation building. But it seems that they don't care at all with that.

[Chilwell]

The painful thing is that this money is actually paid to the host communities through their rules and council of chiefs who refuse to distribute this money paid to them by the companies... It's not the fault of the company that the benefits don't get to the members of that community... In all we can do better as Nigerians to help ourselves out of this humiliation...

Anytime I sat down I'm beginning to think about the money that are going to that region, I feel so bad if you can be able to see how they are living, honestly the government has done so well for those people and they are paying them so much so that they will not feel abandon but there leaders are the one living a luxurious life and forgotten about this people without providing them with good water to drink. If you can look at it they are the one complaining but their leaders are just keeping quiet which I am not from that region but I feel so bad for them.

If your opportunity to go to that communities honestly you will not believe it that this is where Nigeria is getting almost 60% of their money from while that people are living in extremely poverty, when I get to know them very well that is when I decided not to blame them when they were agitating for a lot of things that need to be done for them.

[MorganaX]

Bad government is the cause of those challenges people are facing in the country op, but is not only Nigeria that is facing the hardship in the world despite they have resources that will make the youths to enjoy the sacrifices they have made for the betterment of the country, for Nigeria to eliminate poverty from their country, I think good leaders need to be taking some political position to be able to challenge those corrupt leaders to be able to remove them from power because as long there are bad leaders in the position it will be difficult for the country to eliminate poverty, and it will make their economic not to grow like other develop countries of the world.

I think removing power houses from their influences in grass root economy of a country is harder than you think, if you are put yourselves in the same advantage as those power houses, I would be sure you would go to war to protect and preserve that wealth. If you know the sum of money this guys makes from production of crude and other valuable resources per day, your concept on this will change. But on a righteous path, I agree with your post

[DrBeer]

We as Nigerians we have crude oil but our country is still poor and going backward on a daily. And the question is, is it suppose to be so as an oil producing country, states, LGA's and communities?

When you travel and log in to our local communities in the villages as SPDC Shell host communities that has now been taking over by Renaissance, you see that there's nothing to write home about.

The local content agreement has it that they will bring development to the Shell host communities, things like,
1. Electricity.
2. Good roads.
3. Scholarships.
4. Borehole's water.
5. Youths empowerments.
6. Employment in their companies.
7. Monthly stipends for old men/women
etc

But none of these is being carried out.

Can I ask a simple question? Oil is a national resource. By law, to whom do the nation's resources belong? I looked into it and here's what I found out! The Constitution of Nigeria: According to Article 44 (paragraph 3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, all ownership and control over any minerals, mineral oils (oil), and natural gas within the country's territory, underground, in its territorial waters, and in its exclusive economic zone belong to the Federal Government.
The answer to your question: your government manages the oil revenues. It is the government you need to ask-where does this money go....

[Justbillywitt]

This problem is not only peculiar to Nigeria. I think this is a continental problem. Check all the countries that have minerals of various kinds in Africa, they are not developing. But when you look at other countries outside the continents that have same minerals as African countries, they are developed. Now I asked myself, is this a deliberate plan to keep the continent perpetually poor and underdeveloped? You ask again, why do these people don’t want Africa to develop? So don’t be surprised if your regions are not developed even with the oil. People at the upper echelons made it to be so deliberately.

[Italian Panic]

This problem is not only peculiar to Nigeria. I think this is a continental problem. Check all the countries that have minerals of various kinds in Africa, they are not developing. But when you look at other countries outside the continents that have same minerals as African countries, they are developed. Now I asked myself, is this a deliberate plan to keep the continent perpetually poor and underdeveloped? You ask again, why do these people don’t want Africa to develop? So don’t be surprised if your regions are not developed even with the oil. People at the upper echelons made it to be so deliberately.

As I’ve said many times, in my view it all starts with the politicians. In Africa, there are many countries with dictatorships and politicians who keep the proceeds from the extraction of raw materials for themselves and their inner circle. In fact, the Congo and Nigeria ought to be the richest countries in the world, yet the United Arab Emirates, with far fewer resources, have managed to become ultramodern nations. Why is this? Because once the sheikhs had become wealthy, they also thought of the people.

[ejikeme24]

You know a country that has natural resources like crude oil is not even meant to be poor, well as for the Case of Nigeria I think our brothers, uncles, sister's are the ones that is making things difficult for us. Majority of this people that is involved in the decision making are only concern about the well being of their families, they don't care about the well-being of other citizens. You know left with the companies alone I'm sure they would have been paying the citizens even though they are doing nothing and they will also create job opportunities for them. not that they are not doing it now of course they are doing it but we tend to give it to those that is dearest to us even when we know that they are doing absolutely well yet they will just give it to them just so that they don't give it to other people without knowing that those people needs help.

[Bright0515]

Bad government is the cause of those challenges people are facing in the country op, but is not only Nigeria that is facing the hardship in the world despite they have resources that will make the youths to enjoy the sacrifices they have made for the betterment of the country, for Nigeria to eliminate poverty from their country, I think good leaders need to be taking some political position to be able to challenge those corrupt leaders to be able to remove them from power because as long there are bad leaders in the position it will be difficult for the country to eliminate poverty, and it will make their economic not to grow like other develop countries of the world.

Who are the good and bad leaders? I take them all to be the same because In Nigeria it only takes a matter of time for someone that's good becomes bad, that has been the system. What exactly do we call corruption in Nigeria? This is something that people adjust to when it favors them.

[Bitcoin_people]

When a country has natural resources and they are extracted and exported, the country can develop economically. But despite having sufficient oil in Nigeria, they are very backward in terms of extracting and exporting them, they cannot expand them well. If the Nigerian government tries to develop its country, then of course it can use those oils to lead the country towards development. But for political reasons, they are always behind, especially most politicians do not think about the development of the country. To make a country developed, it is necessary to first provide them with education systems, electricity, roads and jobs to reduce the unemployment rate, then it is possible to develop the country. However, if the Nigerian government can utilize its country's oils and export them, then it will be possible to develop the country.

[PERtua]

Bad government is the cause of those challenges people are facing in the country op, but is not only Nigeria that is facing the hardship in the world despite they have resources that will make the youths to enjoy the sacrifices they have made for the betterment of the country, for Nigeria to eliminate poverty from their country, I think good leaders need to be taking some political position to be able to challenge those corrupt leaders to be able to remove them from power because as long there are bad leaders in the position it will be difficult for the country to eliminate poverty, and it will make their economic not to grow like other develop countries of the world.

Who are the good and bad leaders? I take them all to be the same because In Nigeria it only takes a matter of time for someone that's good becomes bad, that has been the system. What exactly do we call corruption in Nigeria? This is something that people adjust to when it favors them.

I believe a big problem in reversing the trend of corruption is the fact that it has become a problem of leaders and not just any one leader. There is a danger that people will cease to question a system upon which they are benefiting. This is why something other than swapping one politician for another won't necessarily make a difference. Good governance, effective investigations, and transparency in public expenditure is also crucial. Citizens, for instance, should be given visibility of the amount of oil revenue the government collects, and where it goes. Accountability, if not present, can be the vehicle of a leader becoming a part of the system.

[LUCKMCFLY]

Honestly, I don't know if the situation in Nigeria is as bad as in Venezuela, but from what OP says, it's very serious. So, in the case of Venezuela, it's obvious that the blame lies with the politicians, the presidents, and everything associated with the word "politicians," which for me is synonymous with thieves.In the case of Nigeria, a country I'm fond of—I like its culture and its people, as well as its football—it should be a prosperous country. But I suspect it's also due to the same reason: the rulers. What needs to happen? It's difficult. A change of government would work in the case of Venezuela; in Nigeria, perhaps that and the support of developed countries.

[Ever-young]

One of the major problems we face that are causing this limitations are the greedy and corrupt leaders we have today. We actually have enough revenue to get resources, pay a contractor and carry out all this projects but this people doesn’t give a fuck about the citizens.

The one time they spend soo much is when they want to deceive the citizens again to seek their votes, in seasons like this, the amount spent is enough to carry out soo many projects. But as long as it’s not for their selfish interests, no money will be released.

Yes we have the oil but do we have the rights to them? You will be a theif once you trespass on the oil, be it in your own community. Everything literally belongs to the government even when we suffer the pollution and hazards caused by drilling and refining processes.

Everyone should just learn to live like there no government but still abide by laws, because I’m not seeing this country taking a positive shift any soon.

Whoever is in this country knows what is going on currently, and soon they will make headlines.

[Hamza2424]

Well, I won't blame you blindly, but bro, you and I know why this is the case with you. The people sitting in higher places are saying corruption is not bad if I am involved in it haha. I mean, they are openly saying they are involved in corruption, and the image of many regions there on the internet is already bad, while the youth are making too much effort and working online. While there is good, there is bad.

Not only in your place, but everywhere, so don't feel targeted. But the leaders there are so corrupt, or if they are not, then someone is, and they are not focusing on the country. There is also one more thing. If the country's main source of income is oil and not taxes, they usually don't fear demands from citizens, as there is no pressure on them.

You guys need a big change, but unfortunately, there are much bigger powers involved there. Change always comes from the people sitting in influential places.

[yixichloro2xx]

Honestly, I don't know if the situation in Nigeria is as bad as in Venezuela, but from what OP says, it's very serious. So, in the case of Venezuela, it's obvious that the blame lies with the politicians, the presidents, and everything associated with the word "politicians," which for me is synonymous with thieves.In the case of Nigeria, a country I'm fond of—I like its culture and its people, as well as its football—it should be a prosperous country. But I suspect it's also due to the same reason: the rulers. What needs to happen? It's difficult. A change of government would work in the case of Venezuela; in Nigeria, perhaps that and the support of developed countries.

You've basically said it all , the blame lies with our leaders. Not only them they are still some external and oil Mafias distrupting out crude industry. Those guys are making tons of cash from it, and it won't stop because the Mafia lobby and bribe the politicians in order to keep shut. Nigeria oil sector is too dark and corrupt, even a president can't end it. But every problem must have a solution, which is why I hope we can get a leader who would reduce Nigeria dependency on oil . They can start little transitioning into Renewable energy, Agricultural sector to generate more revenue,  building more industries and more Export than import. That way he country will grow at a faster rate but I am still sure those mafias won't want us to achieve that .

[Cookdata]

When a country has natural resources and they are extracted and exported, the country can develop economically. But despite having sufficient oil in Nigeria, they are very backward in terms of extracting and exporting them, they cannot expand them well. If the Nigerian government tries to develop its country, then of course it can use those oils to lead the country towards development. But for political reasons, they are always behind, especially most politicians do not think about the development of the country. To make a country developed, it is necessary to first provide them with education systems, electricity, roads and jobs to reduce the unemployment rate, then it is possible to develop the country. However, if the Nigerian government can utilize its country's oils and export them, then it will be possible to develop the country.

What do you mean by backward with extraction and exporting. A little Google search will clear this ignorance. I will like to be neutral about the Nigeria government because of the new economy policy. OP might not be aware of how crude oil business has been before now but there has been many changes since 2023. It's just that it takes years before this policy are seen. However, you have every right to blame what the government has been doing in the last 20 years, spending crude oil money and yet not significant changes.

Corruption has killed the oil sector for long time, now we no longer subsidized crude oil no have any ways for people to loot money. There are massive debt on ground from what the previous governments has and how they have bastardize the oil sectors, it's not a discussion that we can finish. One day, these reforms will be seen by people but then, these debts and people that stole the generation wealth from oil sector need to be paid back to fix what's on the ground.

[AYOBA]

Nigeria have more than crude oil as natural resources, we have coal, gold and others, yet we are not doing well, we are rich but only our leaders benefit from all these. So nothing to do about it mate, the country is yet to have credible leaders.

Yes with kind of natural resources that we have in Nigeria we’re not suppose to suffer but all our leaders acre very selfishness in the country that is why many parts in Nigeria remain poor. Because even after the poor ones struggle to get those natural resources the leaders will not allow them to move it to anywhere, that is main problem we’re facing in the country. Imagine that we’ve things that we don’t need to go out to other’s country but the lack of good leadership is the reason poor people don’t have rights to voice out their problems.

And the most painful thing is that all leaders know that their the only one benefiting from these natural resources, instead of them to take look at the poor ones and help them, but they only after their pockets which is very wrong.

[fruktik]

Honestly, I don't know if the situation in Nigeria is as bad as in Venezuela, but from what OP says, it's very serious. So, in the case of Venezuela, it's obvious that the blame lies with the politicians, the presidents, and everything associated with the word "politicians," which for me is synonymous with thieves.In the case of Nigeria, a country I'm fond of—I like its culture and its people, as well as its football—it should be a prosperous country. But I suspect it's also due to the same reason: the rulers. What needs to happen? It's difficult. A change of government would work in the case of Venezuela; in Nigeria, perhaps that and the support of developed countries.

I just caught myself thinking that, for me, too, the word “politicians” brings to mind the word “thieves.” How many honest politicians are there in the world? I don’t know a single one. We should treat them all as thieves by nature from the start. They may hide behind fancy slogans, but you and I know exactly what’s behind it all. In today’s world, it’s quite easy to check up on someone if you have access to information.

And what good is this crude oil if it doesn’t belong to the people? Only a small circle of individuals close to the emperor’s inner circle owns these resources and disposes of them as they see fit.

[Abdulzuruku01]

Honestly, I don't know if the situation in Nigeria is as bad as in Venezuela, but from what OP says, it's very serious. So, in the case of Venezuela, it's obvious that the blame lies with the politicians, the presidents, and everything associated with the word "politicians," which for me is synonymous with thieves.In the case of Nigeria, a country I'm fond of—I like its culture and its people, as well as its football—it should be a prosperous country. But I suspect it's also due to the same reason: the rulers. What needs to happen? It's difficult. A change of government would work in the case of Venezuela; in Nigeria, perhaps that and the support of developed countries.

Indeed Nigeria's situation is worse than that of VENEZUELA we are blessed with crude oil yet we're still poor due to mismanagement or abuse of office, Nigerian leaders are abusing office by embezzled what is made to develop country used for their own personal interests. Imagine using money that is supposed to be used to build hospitals, schools, roads even to repair electricity for the betterment of poor citizens, instead they used it to enriched themselves and we are expecting this country not to remain poor?

Our leaders are mismanaged country assets, organising what they are not supposed to organize, spending carelessly on events like party flag off campaigns instead of executing projects that will go round touching lives of citizens, building the legacies that will stay for decades that next generation will see and even pray for them. The only thing that they are doing, are things that will make their political party to win next election, sponsor their own personal families and destroying lives of thugs by giving them hard drugs with little peanut that will not be enough for their treatment when the drugs affect their lives.

[uchegod-21]

Honestly, I don't know if the situation in Nigeria is as bad as in Venezuela, but from what OP says, it's very serious. So, in the case of Venezuela, it's obvious that the blame lies with the politicians, the presidents, and everything associated with the word "politicians," which for me is synonymous with thieves.In the case of Nigeria, a country I'm fond of—I like its culture and its people, as well as its football—it should be a prosperous country. But I suspect it's also due to the same reason: the rulers. What needs to happen? It's difficult. A change of government would work in the case of Venezuela; in Nigeria, perhaps that and the support of developed countries.

Indeed Nigeria's situation is worse than that of VENEZUELA we are blessed with crude oil yet we're still poor due to mismanagement or abuse of office, Nigerian leaders are abusing office by embezzled what is made to develop country used for their own personal interests. Imagine using money that is supposed to be used to build hospitals, schools, roads even to repair electricity for the betterment of poor citizens, instead they used it to enriched themselves and we are expecting this country not to remain poor?

Our leaders are mismanaged country assets, organising what they are not supposed to organize, spending carelessly on events like party flag off campaigns instead of executing projects that will go round touching lives of citizens, building the legacies that will stay for decades that next generation will see and even pray for them. The only thing that they are doing, are things that will make their political party to win next election, sponsor their own personal families and destroying lives of thugs by giving them hard drugs with little peanut that will not be enough for their treatment when the drugs affect their lives.

When corruption is very high in any country, the rich resources the country has will automatically not benefit the majority of its citizens. Instead, they will be controlled by a few greedy leaders and their families. It is not surprising that, in the midst of plenty of resources, citizens still live in abject poverty. Resources that are meant to be used for the economic growth of the country are being diverted for personal use.

What is more troubling is that when it is time to choose a leader, poor citizens will still choose the same leaders who are keeping them in poverty. There is no transparency, no accountability, and yet they expect a change in their standard of living. No, it doesn't work that way. The high rate of mismanagement of public funds will continue to ruin so many lives and keep the country backwards economically.

[Jegileman]

You've basically said it all , the blame lies with our leaders. Not only them they are still some external and oil Mafias distrupting out crude industry. Those guys are making tons of cash from it, and it won't stop because the Mafia lobby and bribe the politicians in order to keep shut. Nigeria oil sector is too dark and corrupt, even a president can't end it. But every problem must have a solution, which is why I hope we can get a leader who would reduce Nigeria dependency on oil . They can start little transitioning into Renewable energy, Agricultural sector to generate more revenue,  building more industries and more Export than import. That way he country will grow at a faster rate but I am still sure those mafias won't want us to achieve that .

Before the discovery of crude oil in Nigeria, the country’s major source of income and dependency was Agriculture and north was a place with a lot of rich resources to uphold Nigeria. The discovery of oil was suppose to be an upliftment for Nigeria, but the reverse became the case. We may have seen a noticeable change in the country but only the elites got to benefit from it and the less privileges have nothing to depend on, this is Nigeria for us. Oil moguls and mafias will never allow for this mineral resources prosperity to reach all. We have bad leadership and that’s why we are facing all these things. Without good leaders nothing can be done do stop this evil.