Is the national cake worth eating?

Guest Columnist By Matthew Ma

“Our national cake, which we are all entitled to, is good roads, quality education for our children, a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, job creation, and reliable electricity. These are the pillars of a thriving society. If we indulge in consuming a portion of the national cake for our own selfish reasons, we forfeit our right to the main cake when it’s ready to be shared. Therefore, before you bite that national cake, ask yourself: is it worth a moment of pleasure and a lifetime of suffering?”

Nigeria faces a multitude of complex challenges. On the one hand, there is a pervasive sense of insecurity due to incidents of kidnapping for ransom, farmers and herder’s insurgency, armed robbery, and other organized crimes. On the other hand, there is a sluggish pace of economic development, an alarming rate of unemployment, and a distressing level of poverty and deprivation. However, at the heart of these issues lies the pervasive and destructive force of corruption, which has plagued the country for decades. Unfortunately, it is believed that this scourge is perpetuated by a particular mindset among Nigerians, commonly referred to as the “national cake” mentality. The title “Is the National Cake Worth Eating?” is a thought-provoking statement that raises questions about the drawbacks of our national resources. A “national cake” mentality is the cancer that continues to turn our politicians into members of questionable character. In the 36 states of Nigeria (including Abuja), we see men and women who are scandalously known as Legislators but legislate mainly on how best to distribute the most significant portions of our cake to themselves. It baffles me to find a fertile ground that propels the greed that our State Legislators exhibit. I am shocked to see legislators across the 36 states strategize how best to eat our “national cake.” To say that this is evil would be reducing an obnoxious scenario to the level of comedy. It is pure wickedness for the legislators to be feeding fat while the people they claim to serve collapse and die of hunger, malnutrition, and numerous preventable diseases.
So, what is this so-called national cake? While the phrase literally refers to a cake that represents a nation, in Nigeria, it is commonly used to describe the country’s national wealth. The concept was introduced in the early 1960s to emphasize that the wealth of the nation belongs to all Nigerians and not just a select few. The idea behind the national cake is that every citizen should have access to the country’s wealth, which is primarily derived from crude oil sales and exports. However, the original philosophical meaning behind the concept has been lost and distorted in our country, and it is now commonly associated with a privileged few against the vast majority of the populace. This raises important questions about whether the national cake is worth eating. Those who remember the Gowon era are likely familiar with the famous statement, “The problem with the nation is not money, but how to spend it.” In 1973, during his tenure as head of state, Gen Yakubu Gowon made a statement about Nigeria’s abundance of oil money. At first glance, the comment may seem naive or reckless, but upon closer examination, it becomes clear that it was true then and remains true today. Nigeria has always had a supply of money since the discovery of oil. The issue lies in how the money is spent or squandered, as some would argue. For example, the amount of money spent on running Nigeria’s democracy is staggering. Billions of Naira are allocated each month to local governments, senatorial districts, and states, with little to show for it. If even half of this money were spent wisely, Nigeria would be in a much better position today. However, due to widespread corruption and incompetence, the country is where it is. So, what is the solution? One possible answer is to examine the differences between Nigerian and Western democracies, using the US as a case study.
First, in the United States and other Western countries, elections are primarily funded by public donations from individuals and organizations who support a candidate’s campaign. This means that even wealthy candidates, like Donald Trump, rely on the financial support of their party and donors. However, in Nigeria, elections are typically funded by aspirants or by wealthy “godfathers.” If a candidate wins, their primary responsibility may be to recover the funds spent on their campaign, often referred to as the “national cake.” Second, it is a well-known fact that in the United States, politicians tend to accumulate wealth after leaving office rather than during their tenure. This phenomenon can be attributed to the fact that while in office, many companies seek their assistance in securing contracts or passing laws. However, once they leave office, these same companies often offer them full-time positions or consulting roles, allowing them to continue to leverage their connections within the government. As a result, it is not uncommon to find retired or defeated politicians serving on the boards of various US companies. Third, the governing process in the United States is designed to be efficient and effective by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable components. For instance, if you encounter a pothole on your street, you wouldn’t need to contact your state governor or Senator. Instead, you could reach out to your Mayor or council chairman, who is equipped to handle such matters promptly. This is in sharp contrast to Nigeria, where many people do not know who their council chairman is, and even if they know, it may lead to insignificant outcomes. Today, the current state of salary arrears in 23 out of 36 Nigerian states raises questions about the validity of the Gowon statement and the availability of easy money for many Nigerians. Since the discovery of oil in Bayelsa in 1956, the Nigerian governance discourse has been dominated by the concept of “sharing” the “national cake.” This has led to a fundamental change in the mindset of many Nigerians, reducing the Nigerian dream to the simplistic struggle of trying to get a “bite” of this “national cake.” Currently, Nigeria’s abundant natural resources are not being utilized for the benefit of the country as a whole. Instead, individuals are taking advantage of them to accumulate wealth for themselves. Experts have pointed out that the country’s leaders are driven by greed and have manipulated the government to serve their own interests. Policies are often fraudulent, and regulations are used to extract bribes. Despite numerous cases of corruption and embezzlement, many offenders have escaped punishment. This culture of impunity and evasion is pervasive in Nigeria.
The “national cake” mentality has become synonymous with the opportunity to join the ranks of the country’s elite, including politicians and businesspeople, and gain access to wealth quickly. Unfortunately, this culture has given rise to the practice of “bring your own people on board,” which perpetuates institutionalized nepotism, where opportunities are shared only with those closest to you. This cake represents the ease of access to wealth that should be available to all but is limited to a select few. Originally intended to leverage the country’s oil wealth for the benefit of the elites, it has now expanded to include all opportunities, from public funds to government contracts and appointments. Any chance to access funds with little accountability but unlimited financial opportunities is part of the national cake. Our economic model is built around the idea of high reward and minimal effort as long as you are in the right place at the right time. Instead of working together to create a better national cake, we are focused on securing our own piece. The “chop make I chop” mindset has unfortunately become the norm in our governance. People prioritize their immediate needs over the greater good, saying “If I don’t bite now, when will I?” Our political leaders often offer us a small portion while keeping the more significant amount for themselves. We must reject this false generosity and demand a fair distribution of resources for all. We must remember that problems persist even after we have eaten our share of the cake.
Rev. Ma, S.J, is a Jesuit Catholic priest and PhD candidate in public and social policy at St. Louis University in the state of Missouri, USA.