A political coalition, The Big Tent, has sounded a dire warning over the state of the nation, saying Nigeria is on the brink of collapse due to deepening poverty, insecurity, institutional decay, and elite failure.
At a media briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the Convener of the coalition, Professor Pat Utomi, described the situation as an “existential crisis” that demands urgent civic engagement and a complete overhaul of national leadership priorities.
“We envision a Nigeria that can lead Africa into a new era of prosperity, much like the Asian Tigers did in their regions,” Utomi stated. “But to get there, we must first face some hard truths. The suffering around us is overwhelming, and we can no longer afford to look away.”
Utomi lamented the alarming rate of poverty, especially in rural areas, which he described as the clearest sign of failed leadership. “Seventy-five percent of rural Nigerians now live in chronic poverty. Hunger is widespread, and the rural economy has essentially collapsed,” he said.
“Farmers can’t farm, and yet our political elite are obsessed with convoys, private jets, and luxury SUVs. This is not just irresponsible; it is morally bankrupt,” he added.
The coalition also raised the alarm over a looming food crisis, warning that more than 30 million Nigerians are at risk of acute food insecurity during the June to August lean season. Utomi criticized the government for ignoring early warnings, stating that the administration was “too distracted by propaganda to respond.”
To avert further deterioration, the coalition called for far-reaching structural reforms. These include an overhaul of outdated land tenure laws, the empowerment of universities to provide agricultural extension services, and the development of agro-processing clusters.
“Just as land-grant universities transformed agriculture in the United States, we must re-engage our academic institutions in national food production,” Utomi said.
On the issue of insecurity, Utomi emphasized the strong link between poverty and violence. “Desperation fuels terrorism and crime. To stem the tide, Nigeria needs to decentralize its policing structure. Local governments and states must have the autonomy to manage their own security,” he said.
He further highlighted Nigeria’s untapped regional potential, from cocoa in the South-West to lithium in the North-Central, calling for a model where the private sector leads economic revival while the government plays the role of an enabler.
“The resources are there. What we lack is leadership with the moral clarity and vision to harness them for collective prosperity,” Utomi concluded.
The Big Tent is a coalition of political leaders, civil society groups, professionals, and reform advocates working to promote good governance, inclusive development, and national renewal in Nigeria.
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