Nigeria’s Privileged Class: Feeding On The Nation While Calling Others Lazy, by Isaac Asabor

Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, is often described as a land of immense potential, blessed with abundant natural resources, a rich cultural heritage, and a youthful, vibrant population. Yet, this same country is marred by widespread poverty, economic inequality, and a sharp divide between the elite class and the masses. At the core of this division lies a deeply entrenched system that has, for decades, allowed certain classes of Nigerians to live comfortably off the nation’s wealth. These privileged groups have lived off Nigeria’s resources, often dictating the country’s fate, while simultaneously labeling the majority as lazy, non-hardworking citizens undeserving of support or relief.

One of the most significant and undeniable beneficiaries of Nigeria’s wealth are those who joined the military decades ago. For many, this path provided a gateway to not only service but also immense power and lifelong privileges. Over the years, Nigeria has seen a series of military coups and leadership transitions led by these individuals. Some of these military leaders have risen to the highest positions in government, ruling the country as heads of state, administrators, and even civilians post-retirement.

These men, often handpicked from elite military institutions funded by the Nigerian government, have benefited from state-sponsored education, training abroad, and long, lucrative careers. Even after retirement, they continue to receive pensions, perks, and appointments to various national bodies. Military generals, often not classified as politicians, wield enormous influence over political decisions and national resources. Their control over the country’s fate is evident, as they are constantly consulted by political leaders, and their voices remain significant in national dialogues. Despite not being actively involved in politics today, their footprints in shaping Nigeria’s destiny are undeniable.

One cannot overlook the irony here. These individuals, who have enjoyed free education, training, and state sponsorship for decades, have turned around to criticize the average Nigerian for being “lazy.” They have forgotten that many Nigerians never had the privileges they enjoyed. These elites lived off the nation’s wealth, protected by the state, and continue to do so even in retirement. Yet, in their eyes, the struggling masses are labeled as lazy, undeserving of opportunities.

Another group of Nigerians that has lived off the nation’s resources is the political class, those who joined politics early in their youth and have remained in the corridors of power for decades. Nigerian politics, for many, is not seen as a platform for service or national development but as a career, a means to amass wealth, power, and influence.

From the days of independence to date, the political landscape in Nigeria has been dominated by a few families, dynasties, and individuals who, once they get into power, never leave. They move from one political office to another, sometimes changing political parties, but always ensuring they are at the helm of affairs. These lifelong politicians have occupied almost every political office imaginable, from local government chairmen to senators, governors, ministers, and even presidents. And once their tenure ends in one office, they find their way into another.

This group has perfected the art of recycling themselves in power. They have turned politics into a lucrative career, benefitting from state contracts, patronage systems, and fat salaries. Even when they are not in active political positions, they are consultants, power brokers, and kingmakers, influencing who gets elected and who does not. Like their military counterparts, they continue to live off the nation’s resources, enjoying privileges such as security details, government-funded trips, medical care, and pensions even after leaving office.

Despite their decades of luxury and influence, many of these politicians also join in the chorus of condemning ordinary Nigerians as lazy. They promote the mantra, “No food for lazy men,” as if they themselves earned their wealth through hard work and sweat. They conveniently forget that the majority of the populace lacks access to the same political networks, opportunities, and resources that they have enjoyed for decades. For these lifelong politicians, those struggling on the streets to make ends meet are lazy simply because they have not found a way to enter the political arena and exploit the system for personal gain.

As if the foregoing is not enough, a new class of beneficiaries has emerged in Nigeria; the children of those who have already benefited from the nation’s wealth. These are the sons and daughters of the military elite and lifelong politicians who have been groomed from birth to continue in their parents’ footsteps. For them, the path to wealth and influence has been laid out since childhood. They attend the best schools, both in Nigeria and abroad, funded by the nation’s resources. Upon graduation, they find themselves in key government positions, not because of merit or experience but because of their family names.

This inherited class represents a continuation of the same cycle. They enter politics, business, or government agencies with little to no struggle, benefiting from their family’s connections and wealth. Many are “born into politics,” joining government positions at a young age and, just like their parents, remaining in power for decades. The privileges their parents enjoyed are now passed on to them, ensuring that they too can live off the nation’s resources without much effort.

In their worldview, anyone outside this privileged circle is lazy. They see their own success as a result of hard work, ignoring the immense advantages they had from birth. For them, hard work is defined by maintaining power and influence, not by the daily struggles faced by the majority of Nigerians who lack access to basic amenities, healthcare, education, and opportunities.

For the average Nigerian, the story is very different. While these three classes have lived comfortably off the nation’s resources, the majority of the population struggles daily to survive. The harsh reality of Nigeria’s economic landscape is felt by millions who are without jobs, access to quality education, or healthcare. Small business owners, market traders, artisans, and farmers work tirelessly to eke out a living, only to be met with rising inflation, poor infrastructure, and governmental neglect.

Yet, it is these same individuals who are branded as lazy by the privileged class. The saying, “No food for lazy man,” is thrown at them, as if their lack of wealth and influence is due to laziness rather than the systemic inequalities and lack of opportunities in the country. The hardworking masses, who toil from dawn till dusk, are often the most neglected by the government, receiving little to no support while those in power continue to enrich themselves.

In fact, Nigeria’s wealth has for decades been concentrated in the hands of a few, those who have enjoyed the privileges of the military, politics, and inheritance. These groups have fed off the nation’s resources, enjoying comfortable lives while the rest of the population struggles. It is both ironic and unjust that these same individuals label the majority of Nigerians as lazy when, in reality, it is they who have lived without the need to work for their wealth.

As the nation moves forward, it is crucial to address these systemic inequalities. Nigeria cannot continue to thrive if a small portion of its population continues to live off the nation’s wealth while labeling the rest as lazy. True progress will only come when opportunities are made available to all Nigerians, not just a privileged few. Until then, the nation will remain trapped in a cycle of inequality, with the rich getting richer and the poor getting blamed for a system that was never designed to benefit them.