A Nigerian Revolution? Or Maybe Not

Nigeria suffered years of military dictatorships, but has had a democracy since 1999. There is discontent and dissent but the political climate is not repressive – the press is relatively free, people are no longer under the spell of fear. As Nigerians prepare for presidential elections next month, what is happening, much less dramatically than in north Africa but with perhaps as much long-term significance, is that the youth is finally awake.

There is one Nigeria and many Nigerias. There are also many types of Nigeria youth. The Nigerian youth Chimamanda is referring to are bright young things - well educated, overwhelmingly christian and overwhelmingly from Southern Nigeria.
They are hopelessly naive. Their knowledge of Nigeria is confined to Lagos and Abuja (which they don't even understand fully). They have little interraction with (and see no need to interract with) anyone outside their neat little circle...[continue reading]