Dear Senator Orji Uzor Kalu,

I am compelled to respond to your recent assertion that Nigerians are not used to working hard. As the President of ECK Foundation Worldwide, I have witnessed firsthand the resilience and determination of Nigerians from all walks of life.

While I understand your intention to highlight the challenges facing our nation, I strongly believe that your statement oversimplifies the complex issues hindering our economic growth and development. Structural challenges, such as inadequate infrastructure, corruption, and policy inconsistencies, have stifled entrepreneurship and innovation, making it difficult for hard work to translate into prosperity.

Furthermore, our economic history, marked by oil dependency and subsidy regimes, has limited opportunities for sustainable growth and development. Many Nigerians face systemic barriers, including limited access to education, healthcare, and job opportunities, which hinder their ability to work hard and improve their economic situation.

The removal of fuel subsidy and floating of the naira which you attributed to as the greatest achievement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have had far-reaching impacts on Nigerians’ purchasing power and livelihoods. Rather than attributing these challenges to a lack of hard work, we should focus on creating an enabling environment that supports entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation.

I firmly believe that Nigerians are hardworking, but our economy and governance structures often do not support their efforts. It is our responsibility as leaders to address these systemic issues and create opportunities for growth and development rather than disparage them.

Let’s work hard and smarter to build a more nuanced understanding of our economic challenges and develop solutions that empower Nigerians to reach their full potential.

Sincerely,

Chief Dr. Emeka Kalu
President, ECK Foundation Worldwide