The Trouble with Nigeria

by Chinua Achebe

"The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership," concludes internationally acclaimed writer Chinua Achebe. In this book Achebe broke his silence about the 1983 Nigerian elections. The style and wit in part cover his deep despair over the direction of change in his home country.

Genres: Africa, Nigeria, Nonfiction, History, Politics, Essays, African Literature

68 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Works, including the novel Things Fall Apart (1958), of Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe describe traditional African life in conflict with colonial rule and westernization.

This poet and critic served as professor at Brown University. People best know and most widely read his first book in modern African literature.

Christian parents in the Igbo town of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria reared Achebe, who excelled at school and won a scholarship for undergraduate studies. World religions and traditional African cultures fascinated him, who began stories as a university student. After graduation, he worked for the Nigerian broadcasting service and quickly moved to the metropolis of Lagos. He gained worldwide attention in the late 1950s; his later novels include No Longer at Ease (1960), Arrow of God (1964), A Man of the People (1966), and Anthills of the Savannah (1987). Achebe defended the use of English, a "language of colonizers," in African literature. In 1975, controversy focused on his lecture An Image of Africa: Racism in Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" for its criticism of Joseph Conrad as "a bloody racist."

When the region of Biafra broke away from Nigeria in 1967, Achebe, a devoted supporter of independence, served as ambassador for the people of the new nation. The war ravaged the populace, and as starvation and violence took its toll, he appealed to the people of Europe and the Americas for aid. When the Nigerian government retook the region in 1970, he involved in political parties but witnessed the corruption and elitism that duly frustration him, who quickly resigned. He lived in the United States for several years in the 1970s, and after a car accident left him partially disabled, he returned to the United States in 1990.

Novels of Achebe focus on the traditions of Igbo society, the effect of Christian influences, and the clash of values during and after the colonial era. His style relied heavily on the Igbo oral tradition, and combines straightforward narration with representations of folk stories, proverbs, and oratory. He also published a number of short stories, children's books, and essay collections. He served as the David and Marianna Fisher university professor of Africana studies at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, United States.

ollowing a brief illness, Achebe died.

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst world famous for his novels in particular, Achebe has also published brilliant essays in works like Morning Yet on Creation Day, and this "little book" which is very thought-provoking, showcasing many of Achebe's personal beliefs and theories about his mother country. That Nigeria has countless problems cannot be disputed. Achebe posits that (lack of quality) leadership is the real problem and points out what he perceives as personal flaws in early great men like Awolowo and Azikiwe. Yet millions till date would never accept that Awolowo in particular had serious flaws as a leader, considering his legendary status till date in western Nigeria, mainly. Achebe is hard on both men, and others even when he admits that in a country with so many tribes and languages like Nigeria, compromises just have to be made. He is not too impressed with things like the national anthem and national pledge either, and believes a large number of people continue to view the Igbos (Achebe was an Igbo) with suspicion. There is no point over-flogging this aspect, but Achebe does make a lot of sense with many of his comments, especially alleged lack of discipline bedevilling the nation at large; and the extraordinary cacophony and misplaced reverence that goes with things like official cars for leaders, despatch riders and their sirens. He points out that the hero-worship/egotism associated with the leaders, including governors, can be sickening and counter-productive. But nowadays, would most pundits believe that Achebe was essentially right to claim that a lack of leadership continues to bring the country down? Probably...now we are told that fighting corruption is probably the way to go, but we must still note that it is the "leaders", top party functionaries, those in strategic positions et al who have plundered the wealth of the country in horrific fashion...hence cleansing the augean stables here is commensurate with cleansing the leadership...hmmm

[Elliard Shimaala · Rating 5 out of 5]

Google tells me this book was published in 1983 yet Chinua Achebe’s description of Nigeria’s ills is characteristic of many African countries including mine. This book should have been titled the Trouble with Africa because African countries seem to have the same ‘troubles’ despite their different locations on the continent.
 
Chinua’s book has made me rethink what we have called “African progress” post the colonial era. How is it that in the 21st century Africans are still struggling with tribalism, poor leadership, lack of patriotism and the most annoying cancer of all–corruption? Chinua wrote on these issues in the 80’s! The bloody 80’s guys! It’s 2015 and we are still battling with the same evils and you want to talk about progress? C’mon!
 
A passage in chapter three, False Image of Ourselves, made me laugh at myself. The passage read as follows, “one of the commonest manifestations of underdevelopment is a tendency among the ruling elite to live in a world of make-believe and unrealistic expectations. This is the cargo cult mentality that anthropologists sometimes speak about-a belief by backward people that someday, without any exertion whatsoever on their own part, a fairy ship will dock in their harbour laden with every goody they have always dreamed of possessing”. This type of reasoning has caused inertia for the African continent. I’ll admit, I found the use of ‘backward people’ harsh but I guess something’s can’t be said any other way considering how we Africans have behaved and continue to behave.  
 
If you want to reflect on Africa, not just Nigeria, read this book. Read it because the Trouble with Nigeria is the trouble with Africa. It will challenge you and inspire you (if you’re an African) to tackle the issues hindering meaningful progress for us.
 
5 stars for the Trouble with Nigeria. 

[Leke Giwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quote from this work:

"Nigeria is NOT a great country. It is one of the most disorderly nations in the world. It is one of the most corrupt, insensitive, inefficient places under the sun ... It is dirty, callous, noisy, ostentatious, dishonest and vulgar. In short, it is among the most unpleasant places on earth!"

Achebe does not pull his punches here...

[Udeme Ralph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief, concise, interesting and revealing. Surprisingly, Chinua Achebe wrote this book decades ago, but the realities he spoke about are still largely evident today in the present Nigerian society. It seems, therefore, that the book, The Trouble with Nigeria is a prognosis, a prophetic writing with unrivaled effect.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been looking for this book for months! I can't believe I have never read or heard of it until a couple of months ago. It's a small book with so much wisdom but not in a serious and studious way as I expected. The author's sense of humor is clearly seen through his writing.

[Darkowaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

!!! review: http://africanbookaddict.com/2015/05/...

Simply brilliant. Short and straight to the point. All Africans should read this, especially politicians. We have to do better as a people and this book explains why with such courage, style and wit. Loved it.

[Jerome Kuseh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chinua Achebe analyses the sociopolitical challenges that Nigeria faced back in the 1980s. He describes a country held back by corruption, ethnocentrism, indiscipline, social injustice and inequality. It's a short and insightful critique with which many people from other African countries relate. And though 33 years have passed, the critique remains relevant to this day.

[Mwangi Mugo · Rating 3 out of 5]

the trouble with nigeria is the same trouble with kenya....

[Gichana Crispin]

I like this book. a lot. it talks about the trouble with Africa only that it uses examples largely from Nigeria.

[Frankie Amett-realtor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be re-titled "The Trouble with Africa". An excellent exposé on the reason Africa is the way it is and what we can do to change it.

[Jeff Schauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short review http://californiamwananchi.blogspot.c...

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

Achebe is another would be king. Sadly for him, nobody seems to care to make him a king as he, as many males over a certain age, knows perfectly well what is wrong and who should be killed so the gods would be pleased.

[Adebola Oguntayo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great job by a legend!

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book produced a myriad of emotions whilst I read it.

The foremost thought I had was that this book ought to be amongst the school curriculum for secondary schools. If we can shape their mentality young enough, maybe they would do things different.

The last election answered the book in some ways though, for people could and did abandon political leaders and aspirants who had a poor track record with nothing to offer to vote outside tribal lines for the candidate they thought was best for the country.

Other things remain the same: culture is still a problem in the country where culture serves as a hinderance to progress rather than an aid to its growth. The ancient lines that divided us divide us still, though less prominently than before. I think we had reached a critical point in country.

There was a phrase where someone said corruption had not yet reached alarming stages yet. Mr Achebe thought not possible. History has shown us that he was wrong.

Hope has dwindled for this country. But if universally acceptable candidates like we saw in the last election become more and more in numbers, maybe there would be a change to the status quo

[Steven R. Kraaijeveld · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is totally false to suggest, as we are apt to do, that Nigerians are different fundamentally from any other people in the world. Nigerians are corrupt because the system under which they live today makes corruption easy and profitable; they will cease to be corrupt when corruption is made difficult and inconvenient.

The Trouble with Nigeria is an impassioned plea by Achebe for things to change in his home country of Nigeria. Sadly, I think that little has changed since he wrote it in 1983 (I'm thinking in particular of Louis Theroux's recent documentary about Lagos). The case for Nigeria is very similar to that of any country with high levels of underdevelopment and corruption: basically, someone (a leader) needs to stand up and radically change things, change the whole spirit of corrupted politics. But even this is no guarantee for lasting change. It requires much dedication and hard work - from everyone involved, but especially those in a position of power.

[Ewa]

its a great work from a great literal writer.

[Yaw Asare · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book not only applicable to Nigeria but Africa as a whole. Should be in the breast pocket of every African leader and citizen. The words in this are a word to the wise.

[David Towoju]

Every Nigerian should read this book.

[Pie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good lesson of what patriotism really is.

[Musa Obed · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's really short and explains Achebe's view on Nigeria at his time. Sadly most of what he discusses still prevail today. Nearly nothing has changed.

[Kabiru Suleiman]

I want to read the book first

[simi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Hmmm...... I don't quite know how to feel about this. I will say that there were some parts—particularly references to events that happened in 1980's Nigeria—that I didn't understand but I think that is to be expected when reading any historical book, especially a political one. While I do agree with most of the points Achebe made, I feel like the book was a little bit repetitive and to be honest I think it is kind of a simplistic point to be repeating for 100 pages, bad leaders are what is wrong with many poor countries. Also, I feel as if he denounced tribalism but then later had a whole chapter full of tribal distinctions which just didn't make a lot of sense to me. Though this review is kind of critical I still think that Achebe made a number of very insightful points that are definitely relevant to Nigerian society.

[Emmanuel Adu-Awuku · Rating 5 out of 5]

A scathing expose by Chinua Achebe of his beloved Nigeria. The book does well to encompass Nigeria's shortomings as a government and country post-independence. Although, Chinua's deprecating humour is tragic.

Another thing I got from the book is how the people of Nigeria have had to adapt to be able to operate in such a rotten system. I think Chinua misses that point, as well as claiming Nigeria has never been blessed with leaders. Contemporary Ghana was blessed with leaders but isn't markedly better off to Nigeria.

Clearly my love for West Africa is evident, but recommended for all historian scholars, fellow West Africans, and anyone interested in the machinations of Nigeria.

[Isma Abubakar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is rather old (1980s) however the things it contains are not. All recent happenings in our political dispensation is like history repeating itself.

We need more outspoken writers like chinua achebe who will say the truth no matter who it concern no matter what political power he has because without inputs of our intellectuals, we will continue going downward till eternity.

The this is a must-read book.
God bless Nigeria.

[Natalie Sifuma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A seemingly politically and culturally correct book that addresses different facets of Nigeria that needed improvement as of 1983 when Achebe penned most of his thoughts and observations. Might be a challenging read for non-Nigerians who have never lived (not visited but lived) in Nigeria but I also understand that this book was written with Nigerians in mind. Still worth a read in the name of understanding Africa's past.

[George Owino · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books speaks to whole of Africa and not to Nigeria only since what's described here still affects acts to the present day.
One thing that loved most is a statement where it says that patriotism is an unwritten contract between the government and the people and when one party fails to keep their of the deal it becomes null and void.

[Wisdom · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's funny how more than 20yrs after this book was written, the same problems still persist till today. I admire the objectivity and wit with which Achebe went about in writing this book. This should be recommended for students at all levels

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading. It describes modern international politics. You can change out the names and locations of the players to American or UK. Fits perfectly.

Will humans ever evolve? Or will we always be sub-human primates - stupid - and more and more of us infected with the burning feet of Wendigo?

[Kay Iguh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of wit, intelligence and rage. It is always good to hear from my countrymen. But to see that the backsliding Achebe bemoaned 40 years ago had only resulted in a precipitous fall. Well, can’t say we didn’t see this coming. A blood boiling read.

[Favour Noah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best so far