Nigerians Are Lazy

Just yesterday, there was an argument in the department between a bunch of us. The topic was about the laziness of Nigerians. While most of my coursemates were of the opinion that Nigerians are lazy, I was of the opposite. They stated reasons to back up their points. From the fact that they see beggars on the road to those who sleep under bridges. They even went ahead to use the school and department as examples.

I was perplexed. Nobody was helping me out. I brought arguments but they were rebuffed. How on earth will someone look at Nigeria and Nigerians as a whole and classify us as lazy. Yes, we have people in government who are giving the institution a bad name. From the inception of democracy till date. But I know that lazyness does not synomnise with Nigerians.

This could be aptly seen in the way Nigerians go about surviving everyday. Yes, we might have one or two beggars on the street but it takes perseverance to bear the cruel sun, skills to bandage your hands and talent to appeal to the emotions of other Nigerians.

Why blame the people for their laziness? A point was made about how Aliko Dangote started his company from the scratch. I countered it by naming his uncle as the sponsor. How many Nigerians have rich uncles who are willing to loan them such huge amount of money? Because the money given to our own Aliko Dangote then is ten times its value now. They mentioned bank loans, I countered with the inaccessibility of funds by an average Nigerian. They said work for someone, I asked where the job is.

When an opening was made for the driver trainee stuff in Dangote's company, we all heard it. He came out on news and pointed out that doctors and professors were vying for positions as drivers. Is that not pitiable? We churn out graduates from our higher institutions yearly yet jobs are not forthcoming yet you say Nigerians are lazy.

This is not the time to start blaming the government. This is not the time to blames the elite masses, this is not the time to blame America and other western powers. They are not our creators. This is a time to sit and reflect. Does prosperity really come with hardwork? If yes, why then do we have poor people in Nigeria especially in the rural areas?

These people work their bones to feed Nigeria and Nigerians yet after years they have nothing to show for it. The only time you see cars and trucks in their villages is when there is a need to transport farm produce. These are also bought cheaply or putting it rightly, the farmers are ripped off. Then you come here and tell me Nigerians are lazy.

Look at your dad in the eye and tell him he is lazy. You will be surprised when he would tell you his life history. All of his hardwork and where he presently is. No blame games, I am leaving the government out of this and I am also leaving the elites out of this. I am only screaming on top of my lungs that Nigerians are not lazy.

Please, when next you see a man begging on the street or sleeping in his shop, do not attribute it to laziness. Ask him his story before drawing a conclusion.

Bless your souls.

By

Joseph Success