Confucius Wisdom Exposes Nigeria's Governance Failure
The ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius once encountered a community terrorized by fierce tigers that had killed multiple family members. When he asked why residents didn't flee to safer areas, he received a profound response: the region had good governance. This led Confucius to conclude that "an oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger."
Deadly Pattern of Fuel Scooping Tragedies
This ancient wisdom finds disturbing relevance in contemporary Nigeria, where tanker explosions have become routine tragedies. On Tuesday, October 21st, 2025, a petrol-laden tanker traveling from Lagos to northern Nigeria crashed in Essa community near Baddegi, Niger State, due to the deplorable road condition.
Villagers from neighboring communities rushed to the scene and began scooping fuel leaking from the overturned vehicle. Three hours later, a massive explosion erupted, killing at least 24 people instantly and injuring numerous others.
This tragedy follows similar devastating incidents:
- January 18th, 2025: Dikko Junction, Suleija, Niger State explosion killed 86 people
- October 15th, 2024: Majiya community, Jigawa State explosion claimed 209 lives
Beyond Ignorance: The Root Causes of Desperation
Federal Road Safety Commission Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed described the Essa explosion as "a needless national tragedy born out of ignorance, greed, and disregard for safety warnings." However, this characterization misses the deeper socioeconomic drivers behind these recurring incidents.
Why would ordinary citizens risk their lives scooping highly flammable petrol? The answer lies in the extreme poverty and desperation created by systemic governance failures.
Niger State, where the latest tragedy occurred, possesses enormous potential:
- Nigeria's largest landmass of 76,363 square kilometers
- Four hydroelectric dams: Zungeru, Kainji, Jebba, and Shiroro
- Fertile land suitable for rice, sugar, sorghum, maize, and soya beans
- Nigeria's highest concentration of Shea butter trees
- Abundant fish resources from River Niger and streams
Despite these natural advantages, bad governance has left citizens so destitute that they willingly gamble their lives for a few fistfuls of naira.
The Path Forward: Governance with Compassion
Successive governments have prioritized self-enrichment over public welfare, creating the conditions for these preventable tragedies. The solution requires fundamental reorientation of governance priorities:
Infrastructure Focus: Instead of expensive urban flyovers, governments should fix rural roads to facilitate commerce and farm produce transportation.
Healthcare and Education: Invest in building and rehabilitating hospitals and schools as foundational development pillars.
Agricultural Revolution: Provide farmers with subsidized fertilizers, seedlings, and pesticides while replacing obsolete farming methods with mechanization.
Security and Business Environment: Prioritize security so citizens can work without hindrance and create conditions for small businesses to thrive.
Tax Reform: Eliminate multiple taxation that stifles economic activity.
With increased revenue from fuel subsidy removal, Nigeria has the resources to implement these solutions. What's needed is the political will to govern with compassion and prioritize people's welfare over political interests.
Nick Dazang is the Director of Voter Education and Publicity for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Nigeria.
