TMP columnist, Lola Adesioye, reflects on the performance of Nigeria’s new president and what the future holds for Africa’s most populous nation.

In 2007 the world began to see Africa through different eyes. The renowned Technology Entertainment Design (TED) conference held its TED Global event in Africa for the first time; the global business community woke up to the fact that China has steadily been increasing its investment in Africa over the past few years because it views Africa as a worthwhile opportunity, and glossy magazine Vanity Fair even ran an edition devoted entirely to the continent. No longer was the world being fed African sob stories: there was finally some acknowledgement that there is more to Africa than just HIV/Aids and starvation.

The positive stories emerging from Africa have continued this week at the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. African delegates such as Nigerian president Umaru Yar’Adua have reported that African leaders are “getting it right” and “people have learned what not to do”.

Whilst it is extremely important that another, more positive, side of Africa is being depicted, my recent trip to Nigeria has shown me that it is also important not to over-blow what is happening on the continent. I would disagree with Yar’Adua that African leaders are ‘getting it right’ – many are not. In fact, Yar’Adua (below) is yet to prove – through actions – that he himself is getting it right! The current state of affairs in Kenya is yet another example that all is not ok. The recent violence and civil unrest seen in Kenya is unsettling because of the ease with which the situation was ignited and has since escalated. It is a reminder that things in Africa, despite improvements, are still not on firm ground.

Yar’Adua’s words at the WEF are particularly interesting because Nigeria – his country – is one that still suffers from a multitude of dire problems. Basic provisions and amenities in Nigeria fail everyday. The power sector is overloaded: the provision of electricity is extremely unstable; electricity can go off several times a day and in some cities, like Ibadan, people can go months without it. In Lagos, road travel is dangerous; cars travel in every which direction with few traffic controls in place. Travel is also made extremely stressful by tyre-destroying potholes, and short distances can take hours to cover due to the sheer scale of traffic. The list goes on…

Nigeria is not short of money – it is the richest country in Western Africa – and many of its shortcomings quite simply have no other cause besides sheer greed and inept leadership. Nevertheless, despite controversy surrounding President Yar’Adua’s election – it is alleged that he was put into power by former president Obasanjo and that the election itself was rigged – he appears, publicly at least, to be making the right noises.

This week Yar’Adua openly criticized the Obasanjo administration, stating that “the $10billion invested in the energy sector between 2000 and 2007 has not translated into power generation, transmission and distribution”. He has also confirmed his support for the removal of the immunity clause for public officials and talked about pressing forward with anti-corruption measures, acknowledging that “…some companies have benefited materially from corruption, while we, the governments and the nations, are usually at the receiving end, because very few people benefit from corrupt actions. In nations where corruption thrives, the vast majority are shortchanged, so the measures and the steps you are taking really require courage.”

Yar’Adua has a mammoth task on his hands if he is to undo the many years of degradation and disrespect that Nigeria has suffered at the hands of previous administrations. Nigerians can only hope and pray that he is more than just talk and he will, unlike his predecessors, benefit rather than impoverish the country. Reactions to him are mixed. Nigerians hope he will make a change, whilst fearing at the same time that he is just like those who have come before.

I would like to see Yar’Adua encourage Nigeria’s extremely wealthy and well-connected elite to engage in philanthropy (of which there is little) and use their own money to also benefit the country and the majority of its poor inhabitants. The notion of taking care of one’s own individual interests at the expense, or in spite, of others has affected Nigeria from the highest level down, and must be challenged if change is to be made for the good of Nigeria as a whole.

I am cautiously optimistic about Nigeria – and Africa’s – future. The change that is most needed will take decades, if not centuries, to achieve but must be actioned on a day to day level, starting yesterday. If, as Yar’Adua says, leaders now know ‘what not to do’, let’s see them turn words into actions and do what’s best for their countries and the continent.

Lola Adesioye is a freelance writer who specializes in commenting on socio-political and cultural issues affecting the black community.