A Nation Cannot Rise Above The Mindset Of Its People

By Uchechi Okporie

One of the biggest things Nigerians pray for today is an end to corruption. We hear people say, “Oh God, fight corruption.” But we also need to ask ourselves a difficult question: where does corruption begin?

Many times, we point at government offices and political leaders, but corruption can also begin with ordinary citizens in their different offices, businesses and places of responsibility. If we truly want a better Nigeria, we cannot leave the entire responsibility to government. Change must also begin with us.

We must learn to start something genuine, reasonable and useful that can help us and others. We cannot continue waiting for government to solve every problem while refusing to examine our own actions. Even during elections, some people collect money from politicians and later complain about bad leadership. They say Nigeria is poor, so they have to collect what they are offered. But when you accept money in exchange for your vote, the problem has already begun from you. If we want corruption to reduce, we must be willing to say no to it, even when saying no is difficult.

Another thing we need to understand is that the proof of a rich man starts from the heart. Being rich is not only about having an expensive car, a big house, the latest shoes or expensive clothes. A person can have little today but possess a rich heart, a creative mind and the determination to build something meaningful for tomorrow.

This is one area where I believe Nigerians can learn from what we see in China. When a Nigerian leader visited China, he was shown different industries, production centres and places where products are made. He saw how different things were being produced there, including products that people from different countries come to purchase.

What stands out to me is the importance placed on production and creativity. People are encouraged to create and produce rather than depend entirely on what others have made.

I have also seen examples of children growing up around production and learning practical things from their environment. It reminds me that education should not only be about going to school and obtaining certificates.

Creativity, practical skills and the ability to solve problems are also important in the world we live in today.

Nigeria has a large population and many talented people. But talent alone is not enough. We need creative minds that can turn ideas into useful products and solutions. The world is moving towards creativity and innovation, and Nigeria must also learn to think beyond simply consuming what other countries produce.

There is another issue we must honestly discuss: living a big-man life when you know you have not reached that stage.

Many Nigerians want to impress people. Someone may not have enough money to maintain an expensive car, yet still buy one because they want people to believe they are successful. After buying the car, they now have to worry about fuel, maintenance and other expenses.

But why live a life your income cannot support just to impress people? I have seen examples of people in other parts of the world who have money but still choose simple ways of living. Someone may be able to afford an expensive car but still use a bicycle or choose a simpler lifestyle because they are thinking about tomorrow.

In Nigeria, there is often pressure to prove that you are making it. People want the latest shoes, cars, houses and other expensive things because they do not want others to think they are struggling.

But there is nothing shameful about starting small. If you cannot afford an expensive lifestyle, you can invest the little you have, learn a skill, start something genuine, save and build yourself gradually.

The problem is that many people think about today without thinking enough about tomorrow. We want to look successful now, even when we have not built the foundation for that success.

If Nigeria wants real change, it must begin with the people. We cannot continue blaming government for everything while refusing to examine our own choices.

Corruption must be rejected from the smallest level to the highest level. Creativity must be encouraged. Production must be valued. Nigerians must also learn that there is nothing wrong with living according to what they can genuinely afford.

The Nigeria we want will not be built by government alone. It will also be built by the choices we make every day. A nation cannot rise above the mindset of its people.