Can Lagos be Like Dubai?, by Ejike E Okpa

It is hard intellectually and technically, all things considered and being equal, to have critically inspiring conversations with NIGERIANS regardless of level of education and expose.

Many import comments from vague understanding of forces and issues behind something.

Take the case of comparing and pointing to Dubai as what Lagos could be or aspire.

I like Lagos because it is a state in Nigeria while Dubai is an emirate in United Arab Emirates UAE, an equivalent to a state.

Physically here are facts:

(1) – Lagos occupies 452 square miles with population of 17m people give and take.

(2) – Dubai occupies 13.4 square miles with population of 3.33m.

Now if one is a scholar of rate and ratios, they can infer many data from this. But since NIGERIANS are typically emotional in thoughts looking for something to draw from, many are hard pressed to look beyond what they see. They go by what they feel.

Leadership and Impact on Economic Development.

Nigeria does not have longevity of leadership that supports developing capital projects. The leadership is transient with loads of transactions strictly for what they can make out of each transaction to line their pockets.

In UAE, the leadership is monarchy with longevity and dictatorial tendency such that development benefits – predictable and reliable.

While comparing is a form of flattering and can induce another to seek ways to copy and paste, NIGERIANS are not deeply disposed to understand what and why things work and on going support behind continue strives and success.

A wish for Dubai is like a wish that the sun will rise from the WEST. It ain’t gonna happen.

For Nigeria to begin an attempt to make considerable progress, it must change her structure of governing in order to unleash its latent heat. Bouncing around and throwing in all sorts of comparisons like Peter Obi does, will further increase the frustration.

Understanding what and why of things are more intellectual than emotional prone feel good NIGERIANS tend to lean on.

I leave you to chew assuming you are disposed intellectually to glean valuable insights on economic development issues.

PhD in Economics is definitely not economic development. If it were, Nigeria will be ahead. Lagos has more resident PhD holders (fake-n-real) than Dubai – now keep chewing.

Ejike E OKPA
Global Affairs Analyst