‘Everything in Nigeria looks like it stopped in 1980’ – Financial expert

Financial adviser and educator, Kalu Aja, has criticised the state of infrastructure and public services in Nigeria, saying the country looks as though it has made little progress since 1980.

Aja made the remark in a post on his X handle on Thursday, where he listed what he described as visible signs of poverty, including poor buildings, ageing vehicles, inadequate public transportation and a lack of public recreational facilities.

According to him, the condition of buildings and furnishings in the country reflects the level of economic hardship, noting that many structures remain unpainted and poorly maintained.

“When you become poor, you don’t have to tell people; there will be signs,” he wrote.

Aja also expressed concern over the quality of vehicles on Nigerian roads, claiming that he had hardly seen new cars apart from those used by government officials.

He further described public transportation as being dominated by old minibuses and tricycles, popularly known as Keke, which he said generally lacked air conditioning.

The financial expert also faulted what he described as poor landscaping, overgrown grass, inadequate urban planning and the absence of public parks, libraries and swimming pools.

He additionally alleged that some police officers solicit gifts from members of the public, while the number of vehicles on the roads appeared to be declining because of the high cost of fuel.

“Zero landscaping, wild grass everywhere.

“Police asking for gifts.

“Zero zoning.

“No public parks, libraries or pools.

“Fall in cars on the road, no one can afford gas.

“Everything looks like it stopped in 1980,” he stated.

Aja’s comments come amid continuing public concerns over the cost of living, rising transportation expenses and the state of public infrastructure in Nigeria.