What if Nigeria were a car?

If Nigeria were a Car…

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CFC organised a ‘Youth Forum’ to gather data on youth lifestyles, as well as their perceptions and awareness of development issues to help develop appropriate youth programming. Young people were asked to take part in a  ‘projective exercise’ called the “Imagine Nigeria was a car” fantasy.  The youth were asked who or what would represent the car’s various features.

Although the exercise was strictly metaphorical, participants took to the activity with excitement and amusement, coming up with unexpected suggestions. They saw themselves, the media, political and human rights activists as the headlights of the country - the ones who looked to the future. Pressure groups, NGOs, the president and the country’s various traditions were viewed as the steering wheel i.e. those who keep the country moving in the right direction.

They saw ignorance, poverty, illiteracy, laziness and destitute people as the luggage, the aspect of the car that rides along, weighing it down. Backward looking tail lights and exhaust fumes included the elders, old customs, politicians, ethnic conflict, oppression, traditional policies, bribery and corruption. NGOs, religious leaders, youth and professional people were seen as the fuel.

Nigeria’s bumper was its wealth of natural and human resources, activists and the armed forces. The engine consisted of NGOs, the public and private sector economy, mass media and religious beliefs. The labour force and judiciary were seen as the wheels, the instrument of movement. The potholes or obstructions on the car’s way were ethnic divisions, harmful traditional practices, the police, the military and the general culture of corruption.

Yet despite the gravity of the problems they described, the youth viewed their role in society as a marginal one. Like the Naira, they classified themselves mainly under the banner of “car logo” i.e. a decorative element out in front, polished and good looking but not really contributing much. Overall, the exercise showed us what works and doesn’t work in Nigeria, and what hope youth hold for the future.