Nigeria: So what's changed?

Most people's living standards have not improved

By Eniwoke Ibagere

Ask Nigerians how their lives have changed since the country's return to democracy in May 1999, and many people will reel out a list of negatives.

Nothing has changed after a year of democratic governance

Godwin Obaseki

But the general opinion in Africa's most populous nation of 108m people is that after 15 years of "military rule" - a by-word for mismanagement, neglect and corruption - it will take years before the promises of economic and social transformation from the democratic government of Olusegun Obasanjo will materialise.

"It'll be a miracle to begin to see the wonders of democracy instantly. But nothing has changed after a year of democratic governance," said Godwin Obaseki, an economist based in the commercial capital, Lagos.

"Look at where we're coming from. More than a decade of army misrule and our social utilities have been wrecked by neglect and decay."

Stable economy

He acknowledges, though, that the Obasanjo government has succeeded in stabilising the economy: "Interest rates have been stable, foreign exchange rates (at 100 naira to $1) are also fairly stable and government spending somewhat controlled."

Many homes still lack running water

Cynical Nigerians have come to judge the performance of the government by three measures: the light in their homes and offices, running water from the taps and availability of petrol and kerosene at the pump station. By the three counts, the Obasanjo administration scores well below pass mark.

"Power outages are frequent. Some parts of Nigeria are in darkness for months or weeks. The taps have been dry for the past year," said housewife Evawere Sadoh, based in Abeokuta, some 80km from Lagos.

In March, the entire country was plunged into darkness on two separate occasions for more than 24 hours after Nigeria's creaking national electricity network collapsed. A furious President Obasanjo sacked the board of the electricity authority and began supervising its affairs.

We have seen a lot of shuffling and no movement

Christine Nnaji-Kanu

Petrol and paraffin queues have also re-emerged in parts of the country, a flashback of the period of army rule when Nigeria, the world's sixth largest producer of crude oil, was crippled by chronic fuel shortages.

"When Obasanjo assumed office, petrol queues disappeared. But in some cities, they're gradually creeping back," said Rufus Giwa, head of the Nigerian Manufacturers Association.

'Life remains tough'

Christine Nnaji-Kanu, a member of Obasanjo's ruling People's Democratic Party, said: "Life remains tough for most Nigerians. The cost of living index continues to plummet. Pipe-borne water is not available in most parts of the country. Industries' capacity utilisation is still abysmally low. Infrastructural facilities remain moribund. We have seen a lot of shuffling and no movement!"

Mr Obasanjo recently raised the national minimum wage for workers to 5,500 naira ($55) from the previous 3,500 ($35). But a protracted crisis between the legislature and the executive only saw the approval of the 2000 National Budget recently.

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"Those doing government contracts languish in penury. Some civil servants have not yet receive salaries for March," said civil servant Nkechi Odeh in the capital, Abuja.

Crime

What is of greater worry to Nigerians is the upsurge in religious and ethnic violence and crime since the Obasanjo government assumed power.

"In the last one year, there has been general lawlessness and chaos in the country," says Lagos resident Ojo Segun.

"Drivers seldom obey the rules, causing kilometres of traffic snarl-ups. Vendors sell their wares in unauthorised places. There's a rise in armed robbery and theft. Ethnic regions and groups have become more militant in their quest for autonomy, more powers or separatist states."

Don't expect many wonders from democracy - the most wonderful thing is having it!

Graffiti

In Port Harcourt, Obioma Uzor, owner of Jacuzzi Night Club, said the violence nationwide has affected businesses.

"Since we're no longer under army rule, it's made greater freedom emerge for people. But most of them have a warped opinion of it. Because of the violence, businesses, particularly those depending on night-life, have suffered."

Others argue that the decline in human rights violations - routine under military rule - is something to celebrate: "You can say anything you like without looking over your shoulders that government security agents will pick and lock you up."

Sport wins

One area that has benefited from the advent of democracy is sport.

"There have been tremendous changes in soccer administration since a democratic government took over," says Sunday Oliseh, captain of Nigeria's national soccer team, the Super Eagles.

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"The atmosphere is more serene, the relationship between players and officials has improved and the mood in the national team is good

Nigeria won silver at the 2000 Cup of Nations tournament it co-hosted with Ghana. It was the Eagles' first outing in the biennial competition since winning the 1994 tournament in Tunisia.

In 1996, after Nelson Mandela criticised the then Nigerian Government's executions of Ken Saro Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists, military ruler Sani Abacha ordered the Nigerian Eagles, to withdraw from the tournament hosted by South Africa.

As punishment, Nigeria was later banned from attending the 1998 tournament in Burkina Faso.

Optimism

In spite of the odds, Nigerians are hopeful for the best and their country in the near future.

"Perhaps one year is too brief a period to make a meaningful assessment of the impact of democracy," said Ms Nnaji-Kanu.

"Maybe after the expiration of its four-year term in 2003, we can then do an assessment."

The worst democracy is better than the best army rule!

Graffiti

Mr Obaseki added: "The picture is rosy because this country has vast economic and human resources. Once were able to roll out a viable plan to exploit these resources, it'll be a bright future for Nigeria."

Obioma Uzor said: "I have great confidence in the fact that democracy can make things work here. Once Obasanjo is able to extinguish the pockets of riots and civil strife caused by dissidents, this country will bubble with business zest."

Two pieces of graffiti on a wall in a backstreet of Lagos best captures Nigerians' belief in democracy. "The worst democracy is better than the best army rule!", said one.

The other said: "Don't expect many wonders from democracy. The most wonderful thing is having it!"