Uncertainty in the city: Unpacking challenges in Nigeria

Every uncertain situation speaks loudly about disruption of development and sane life. Once beacons of prosperity and growth, cities as our title applies, now grapple with uncertainty. Economic instability, social unrest and environmental degradation threaten the very fabric of urban life. Deservedly, cities are nucleus and microcosm of a country. Whatever happens in cities affect global perception of the country.

This article examines uncertainty’s far-reaching consequences in Nigeria. I once wrote about darkness in the city of Onitsha in the Southeastern part of the country. The article was based on a horrible experience I had around Onitsha in 2011 while I was on transit. It was my baptism of fire, as I never had such an experience before then. I am not talking about the bad roads at the time, as some bad roads in our cities have become a death trap. I am not talking about how the bad road pronounced dire consequences for travelers and commuters within the landscape.

Rather it was the crime life: the presence of one chance, a colloquial description of deceit and theft inside buses that leaves passengers scampering for their life and losing their valuables to automobile thieves. Those who were once in this situation know how horrific this experience could be. Onitsha gave me my first experience of one chance. I am not trying to isolate Onitsha, as this phenomenon is something our cities share in common.

However, one chance is not the only crime in our cities. Other crimes include assassination, kidnapping, child trafficking, child labour, child sexual abuse, corruption in high and low places, domestic violence, yahoo yahoo, yahoo plus, easy virtue, money laundering, murder, piracy, terrorism, crimes against property, etc. It amazes me how our value for human life has degenerated to abysmal levels. What defines this criminal situation include political instability, citizen alienation, economic quagmire, and social unrest.

The situation has therefore affected outlook of life. For instance, the Global peace index once described the country as one of the countries with the least peace in the world. It is the 19th less peaceful state. Could it be that Nigerian cities are bereft of peace? In addition, Nigeria is the eighth country most affected by terrorism based on the global terrorism index figures. Could it be that some Nigerian cities have terrorism explosion? At the end of 2023, Nigeria was the fifth country in Africa with the highest risk of genocide as well as twelfth worldwide. Nigeria has a high child mortality rate, ongoing battle-related deaths, history of mass killing and ethnic fractionalisation. Rising crime rates and social unrest erode community trust. Mental health concerns surge as residents feel increasingly insecure. Social cohesion frays, and community engagement wanes.

That reminds me of what has been going on in Benue belt over the years between farming communities there and herdsmen. The resultant lack of peace is now what we share in common down South and up North. The drivers of this lack of peace are everywhere in the country: in our cities as well as our towns and villages; our bushes are not left out either. In environments where people find it hard to eke out one satisfactory meal a day on account of maladministration and insecurity, this is what you get. People just have to survive anyhow.

They survive their own way following untoward devices. One should not justify resulting into self-help because of whatever people are facing; however in situation of political instability anything can happen.

People’s hues and cries are rending the atmosphere, let government listen to them. People’s opinion well-listened to helps government to come up with people-friendly policies and strategies to cater for their welfare.

If I have a place I can call an office where I regularly get social and food security, I will have no time for frivolities and troubleshooting activities. But many of our youths who have graduated are languishing doing nothing. Many who once had thriving businesses have lost their businesses to violence, unrest, and unfavourable government policy for small scale business. People feel insecure on their farms. Government should make Nigeria business and social friendly. Government policies should favour small business owners.

In this time and age, urban economies in Nigeria face mounting challenges. Unemployment and income inequality plague cities. Small businesses and entrepreneurs struggle to thrive amidst economic volatility. Global phenomenon also impacts our wellbeing in Nigeria. For instance, climate change imperils our cities. Flooding, heatwaves and aging infrastructure jeopardise urban resilience.

The most recent flood incident in Maiduguri that left half of the city underwater illustrates these dangers. The devastating flood submerged entire residential areas, displaced tens of thousands of people, and forced zoo animals to escape into the streets. When wild animals stray into the city, does that not portend danger? Many people died in its wake.

This puts the question across about our state of preparedness for situation that has tendency to happen annually. Nigerians need to be conscious of their environment, own it and take care of it. Government too needs to be proactive in order to stay on top of environmental occurrences. Government is reactive most of the time. What is the need for donating money and food to victims if you can put measures in place to nip the incidence from happening?

Uncertainty in cities profoundly affects residents’ well-being, economic stability and social cohesion. Collaborative efforts among policymakers, residents and stakeholders are crucial. Visionary leadership, innovative solutions and community engagement can forge resilient cities and country.

Rev. Fr. Kehinde is a Lecturer, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti.