Nigeria’s real crisis isn’t corruption – It’s the absence of a national vision

For decades, corruption has been the most convenient explanation for Nigeria’s underperformance. It is the default villain in public debate, political campaigns, donor reports, and even dinner-table conversations. But this diagnosis, while emotionally satisfying, is strategically shallow. Corruption is not Nigeria’s root problem. It is a symptom – loud, visible, and damaging – but still a symptom. The deeper crisis is more fundamental: Nigeria lacks a coherent national vision strong enough to unite policymakers, discipline political actors,