OUR economic discourse obsessively tracks GDP figures but fails to analyse the standard of living in real terms. Similarly, we pay very little attention to the average Nigerian’s emotional wellbeing in a system where it is virtually impossible to achieve anything without a high level of resources or connections. We talk about attracting foreign direct investment but fail to analyse why it doesn’t seem to have an impact on the lives of ordinary people.

Nigerian culture could be our greatest export, it could also be a way to positively engage communities in telling their own stories through the creative use of mass media

I recently saw a documentary exploring the rise of Alexandria Occasio-Cortez (a 28 year old congresswoman) as well as other candidates who ran for Senate or House of Representatives positions during the 2018 United States elections.

IN conversations with the Nigerian elite, one is sure to hear complaints about the constant calls and appeals they receive from less well-off friends, family or even strangers asking for help with this or that urgent matter.

The system is rigged against the average Nigerian. By saying this, one runs the risk of being labeled a populist. Yet, many of the states where violence and insecurity occur in Nigeria often have the highest poverty indices or the most job losses.