Accountability isn’t a one-way conversation; citizens take note

Daily, Nigerians blame the government for the country’s problems. We blame politicians for corruption, insecurity, poor infrastructure, environmental degradation and declining social values. While much of that criticism is justified, it leaves a question unanswered: how many of these problems are also sustained by the everyday choices and decisions of ordinary citizens like you and me?

There is no doubt that some of the challenges we face as a country are partly caused by the decisions and choices made by Nigerians daily. Before certain issues become national concerns, they are often habits and behaviours that are ignored in our homes and communities. Many of the problems we face today began there, long before they became national and political issues.

The conversation that receives far less attention is the one many of us find uncomfortable, because it requires a long and honest look at ourselves. When such conversations arise, we often position ourselves in ways that shield us from self-criticism, ignoring the habits, behaviours and choices that continue to drag the country deeper into its challenges.

What if some of Nigeria’s persistent problems aren’t sustained by the government alone? What if many of them are reinforced daily by the choices, habits and behaviours of citizens like you and me? We need to think about that.

Admittedly, this isn’t an attempt to excuse governance or downplay the failures of those entrusted with leadership. Government institutions and public officials must continue to be held accountable whenever they fail in their responsibilities. At the same time, it’s essential to acknowledge that great nations aren’t shaped only by those who govern them; they are also shaped by the values, habits, behaviours and choices of the people.

A country can’t consistently produce outcomes that are different from the abnormalities it tolerates and unconsciously nurtures. In every thriving society, there is a level of personal responsibility, discipline, and civic consciousness that helps hold the nation together even in difficult times. Nigeria’s challenges are therefore not sustained solely by poor leadership. They are also worsened by failures in parenting, weak civic responsibility, public indiscipline, and a growing tendency among citizens to expect solutions without accepting responsibilities.

As we know, every society is built on the foundation of the family. Before children encounter teachers, employers, government institutions or political leaders, they are shaped by the homes in which they are raised. For this reason, any meaningful conversation about development must begin with the family.

Oftentimes, the government is blamed for failing to contain individuals whom we failed to raise in our homes. We can’t neglect our responsibilities as parents and then be surprised by the kind of people our children become. If the family is the foundation of society, then the conversation about development must begin at home. Before discussing the kind of leaders we want tomorrow, we must first ask what kind of citizens we are raising today.

The issue does not stop at parenting. It also shows in how we behave as citizens. One of the striking contradictions in Nigeria is the gap between what many citizens expect from the government and what they contribute to society. Many Nigerians want quality roads, education, uninterrupted electricity and functional public services, yet many are unwilling to develop the mindset and sense of responsibility required to maintain and properly use them.

Across towns and cities, people complain about flooding, poor sanitation, environmental degradation and unhealthy living conditions. It’s common to see refuse dumped in drainage channels, waste thrown from moving vehicles, and public spaces littered with plastic bottles, food packs and sachet-water nylons, even while government-funded waste management agencies are tasked with cleaning the environment. Ironically, the same citizens who expect cleaner environments and living conditions are those who often engage in acts of polluting and degrading the environment, contributing to unhealthy living conditions.

When it rains and drainage systems fail, causing a flood, attention quickly shifts to the government. While the government has a responsibility to provide infrastructure and effective waste-management systems, it’s unwise to ignore the role of citizens who knowingly contribute to the problem. The truth is simple: citizens are the ones dumping refuse into drainage channels.

The same attitude can be seen in the treatment of public property. Infrastructure that belongs to everyone is often treated as though it belongs to no one. Across the country, public facilities are vandalised, damaged, neglected and misused by the people expected to protect them. We can’t demand public infrastructure while carelessly destroying the ones that already exist.

Public indiscipline extends beyond environmental issues and public property. It has become normalised in aspects of daily life. Many want an orderly country, but  have little hesitation in breaking rules whenever it serves their interests. Whether it involves jumping queues, bypassing procedures, ignoring regulations or seeking shortcuts, behaviours that weaken society are often excused when they appear convenient.

The same mindset appears in economic activities. Every country formulates policies on education, taxation, commerce and other sectors to ensure order and fairness. In Nigeria, it’s not uncommon to find traders, vendors and business owners taking advantage of difficult economic conditions to maximise profits even when their own costs have not increased significantly. In such instances, fellow citizens become victims of the greed of others. Yet many of those who engage in practices are quick to place all the blame on the government.

None of this suggests that the government should be absolved of responsibility. Leadership, policies matter, and institutions matter, and public officials must continue to be held accountable for their decisions and performance. However, accountability can’t continue to be a one-way conversation. The truth is that government and society shape each other. The values tolerated within homes and communities eventually find their way into institutions.

The quality of citizenship often influences the quality of leadership that emerges from a society. For this reason, the conversation about Nigeria’s future must extend beyond politics. It must include parenting. It must include responsibility. It must include discipline. It must include accountability.

Building a country cannot be the government’s job alone. National development requires both leadership and responsible citizenship. Governments can build roads, formulate policies and establish institutions. No government can replace responsible parenting, civic discipline, personal integrity and a genuine commitment to the common good.

Nigeria’s future won’t be determined by only elections, government policies, or political appointments. It will also be shaped by the values taught in homes, the habits practised in spaces, the responsibilities embraced by citizens, and the choices made daily by citizens.

So, dear Nigerians, before asking what the government must do to, or is doing to transform Nigeria, perhaps we should first ask, what kind of Nigeria are our daily actions helping to create?

Segbenu Gbewa wrote via [email protected]

UPDATE NEWS:

Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5 million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25 million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder,

click here to find out how it works.