By Princess Gloria Adebajo-Fraser, Founder – National Patriots
April 16, 2025 | Abuja
Nigeria has long carried the revered title “Giant of Africa,” a name earned not only by virtue of its vast population—over 220 million people—and regional dominance, but more importantly, through decades of selfless interventions, peacekeeping efforts, and moral leadership across the African continent. Yet today, the same Nigeria that once stood tall as Africa’s guardian angel now grapples with internal challenges, most notably corruption, threatening its relevance, potential, and future.
Nigeria’s Heroic African Legacy
In the decades following independence, Nigeria assumed the role of Big Brother to Africa—not through conquest, but through rescue, stabilization, and restoration. Nigeria’s military and diplomatic footprints are found across the continent:
Ethiopia & Kenya (1930s-40s): Nigeria resisted Italian colonial aggression and supported liberation efforts.
Congo (1960s): Nigeria deployed troops under the United Nations to stabilize the crisis-ridden region and help rebuild its national army.
Liberia & Sierra Leone (1990s): Nigeria, through ECOWAS and ECOMOG, led peacekeeping operations that halted civil wars and restored democracy.
South Africa (1980s-90s): Nigeria was a key force in the anti-apartheid struggle, dedicating substantial diplomatic and economic resources to free Nelson Mandela and dismantle institutional racism.
“Nigeria did not intervene to conquer; it intervened to protect and preserve peace,” notes Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former UN Under-Secretary-General.
This legacy made Nigeria a continental power—respected, trusted, and followed.
The Giant in Chains: Corruption and the Collapse of National Potential
Despite this glowing past, Nigeria today is shackled by the hydra-headed monster of corruption. According to Transparency International, Nigeria ranks 145th out of 180 countries on the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index. Public projects stall, investor confidence weakens, and developmental policies often die at the gates of bureaucracy.
> “Corruption is not just stealing—it is the quiet killer of opportunity, dignity, and trust,” says Princess Gloria Adebajo-Fraser, founder of the National Patriots.
The economic implications are staggering:
$1 billion lost annually due to the absence of a Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) system, which 22 African countries have already adopted and Eden & Frabemar Global ICTN Services have been in Nigeria to handle this as one of the biggest oldest companies in Cargo Tracking Note with 30 yrs experience in Africa, but no action from the authorities.
Aviation security projects offered by Eden & Mcwhit Global Aviation Security Services—which would modernize & digitalise Nigeria’s Aviation security in a fully networked system at the international airports at no cost to government, but FDI—remain stalled by bureaucratic corruption.
Digital & Basic irrigation systems for small growers who are responsible for 85% of food in the markets, developed by Eden AgroTech that increase organic harvests by 300% have yet to be deployed due to entrenched interests.
Reforming the Reformer’s Agenda
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has begun showing positive economic indicators through subsidy reforms, digital tax expansion, and renewed international engagement. Yet experts warn that these gains cannot be sustained without a clear, structured assault on corruption.
Comparative Examples:
Rwanda: Leveraged digital governance, e-procurement, and performance tracking to become one of the least corrupt nations in Africa.
Georgia (Eastern Europe): Eradicated corruption by disbanding and rebuilding its police and customs institutions and digitizing nearly all public services.
Singapore: Instituted a powerful, independent anti-corruption commission and enforced strict laws, transparency, and high public sector wages.
What Nigeria Can Do:
1. Digitalization of Governance: All ministries and agencies must adopt real-time e-procurement and project tracking systems.
2. Independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal: Create a special court with prosecutorial autonomy.
3. Project Monitoring Office: Establish a Presidential Delivery and Reform Office to review and fast-track critical stifled projects like CTN and aviation security modernization.
4. Graded Electricity Tariffs: Protect low-income earners while increasing rates for heavy consumers to fund sector reforms.
5. Water & Irrigation Infrastructure: Prioritize potable water access and launch nationwide deployment of Eden organic irrigation systems.
Hope for the Giant
Nigeria may be wounded, but it is not defeated. It remains Africa’s largest democracy, biggest economy, and most influential cultural hub. Its music, literature, business acumen, and strategic location still make it a force to reckon with.
With the political will, citizen vigilance, and reform-minded leadership committed to transparency and innovation, Nigeria can rise again—not just in name but in performance.
“The Giant of Africa must return to its feet—not to oppress others—but to lift Africa once again,” said Princess Fraser. “Our history proves we can, and our future demands that we must.”
National Patriots calls on the Federal Government to seize this historic moment to defeat corruption, digitize governance, approve pending transformative projects, and restore Nigeria’s pride of place in Africa and the world.
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