Several theorists have tried to explain the reason for underdevelopment and corruption in Nigeria or Africa by extension. Walter Rodney’s ‘How Europe underdeveloped Africa’ blames Europe; Igwe Stanley Chinedu, 2010, ‘How Africa Underdeveloped Africa blames Africans’. Ope-Agbe‘s 2005 ‘How Nigeria underdeveloped Nigeria’ blames Nigerians. Conflict theorist may also argue that underdevelopment and corruption in Nigeria are structural, fanned by Nigerian capitalist economic mode; while functionalist theorist would rather blame a certain group or part or class within Nigeria. I believe that the key to understanding Nigeria’s or Africa’s present predicaments lie in what I will define as “historical consciousness” and in what Weberians describes as “Social Action”.

1. Pre-15th Century worldview keeps Nigeria Underdeveloped and Corrupt.
Pre-15th Century worldview keeps Nigeria Underdeveloped and Corrupt.
Several theorists have tried to explain the reason for underdevelopment and corruption in Nigeria or
Africa by extension. Walter Rodney’s ‘How Europe underdeveloped Africa’ blames Europe; Igwe
Stanley Chinedu, 2010, ‘How Africa Underdeveloped Africa blames Africans’. Ope-Agbe‘s 2005 ‘How
Nigeria underdeveloped Nigeria’ blames Nigerians. Conflict theorist may also argue that
underdevelopment and corruption in Nigeria are structural, fanned by Nigerian capitalist economic
mode; while functionalist theorist would rather blame a certain group or part or class within Nigeria.
I believe that the key to understanding Nigeria’s or Africa’s present predicaments lie in what I will
define as “historical consciousness” and in what Weberians describes as “Social Action”.
In historical consciousness we are able to see the totality of the life view of a people (i.e. Socio-political
economy). More so we are able to understand why a people would remain non-innovative or gain
superior economic and military strength over others (e.g. Nigerian and colonialism). Since the origin
of man “the people of Nigeria”, like every other people have existed or at least Africa has; but the gap
in the level of development and corruption frequency between “the people of Nigeria” and other
developed society is very wide as can be seen in various research reports on economics and
development indexes.
This same scenario obviously replicated in the 15th century commonly tagged “the age of discoveries”.
Sub-Saharan Africa and “the people of Nigeria” were found by European explorers. Historical
consciousness points to a wide gap in economic mode, technology awareness and worldview between
the superior European explorers and “the people of Nigeria”. From the 15th century through the 18th
century when colonialism started, Sub-Saharan Africa and “the people of Nigeria” did not develop that
“societal consciousness” necessary for self-determination as seen in the new China of the 20th
century. It was Africans who sold Africans to slavery! Meanwhile dates leading up to the 15th century
shows remarkable presence of development in certain areas like in the NOK society, but which
suddenly stagnates and disappeared. At this point, I think it is rational to ask, how is that the European
explorers were able to find the maritime technology to access Sub-Saharan Africa and “the people of
Nigeria” at will; while Sub-Saharan Africa and “the people of Nigeria” could not do the same; when in
fact every human origin started at the same time on planet earth? Again the same question still applies
today. How and why is Nigeria unable to develop since 1960? Why is it almost impossible to get the
simple task of Agricultural policies right in Nigeria? Why is the CBN unable to formulate a politically
free and realistic policy to manage the exchange rate, inflation and interest rate? Why is population
unchecked? Why is it almost impossible to find a truthful and verifiable statement among Nigerians?
Basically speaking underdevelopment and corruption is not new to Sub-Saharan Africa and “the
people of Nigeria”. It was there before the 15th century through the 18th century and it’s still here
today. The Weberian Social Action theory helps to identify where the problem lie for Sub-Saharan
Africa and “the people of Nigeria”. The problem lie in the worldview and by extension, the action, and
reaction within “this” worldview. In his book titled “Protestant ethics and the spirit of Capitalism,”
Weber tries to explain how a people’s view about the world shape their action and reaction within
“that” world. According to Weber Protestants were more likely to do better comparatively because
they believed that success on earth also reflected a good standing before God, therefore, they were
likely to work harder at amassing wealth on earth and become more successful.
Taking a dive into the people of Nigeria’s worldview obviously points to some of the major reason why
underdevelopment and corruption have endured. Firstly I will stress that world-view may include

2. Pre-15th Century worldview keeps Nigeria Underdeveloped and Corrupt.
definitions for Government, Family, Marriage, Children, Mode of production, Past events, Future
events, Self, God, and Justice.
One, if not the greatest cause, of underdevelopment and corruption in Nigeria, is the conflict that
hangs between the precolonial mode of production and the new era of capitalist production mode. I
mean how these are viewed and defined in the context of Social Action. In precolonial production
large family size (i.e. many children) was acceptable as this was complimented with fairly evenly
distribution of wealth (i.e. farm produce). Marriages and having children were unplanned while nature
(i.e. God) provided good weather for the farm. The Idea of “Ancestors or Divinities” ruled the past and
the future and therefore the Idea of the “Self” was greatly diminished. This is why pre 15th-century
“people of Nigeria”, through the 18th century and till date is still unable to assert herself in the world.
Other events elsewhere in the world, like in China, have shown that this worldview is false and in
conflict with the present-day mode of production. In Nigeria of today, a replacement is gradually being
sort for “Ancestors and Divinities” and the “Government” is just on the front burner.
Interestingly “Ancestors and Divinities” are definitions of a people as can been seen from culture to
culture. In the same way, the Nigeria people define their Ancestors and Divinities, so have they defined
their Government, and with the idea of “Self” so diminished; the Government is the cause of
underdevelopment and Corruption; just as the Ancestors and Divinities are responsible for harvest
and drought. But this is a false premise because both Ancestors and Governments are what the people
say they are; therefore the people need to look into their definitions of the world for answers to their
predicaments (underdevelopment and corruption). If it holds that neither the Ancestors nor Divinities
are responsible for pre 15th and 18th century Sub-Saharan Africa and “the people of Nigeria”
underdevelopment and corruption; it will also hold that present day Nigeria is not a creation of this
present day Government. However, it is the same worldview that stagnated development in pre-
colonial Sub-Saharan Africa and for “the people of Nigeria” that is still causing underdevelopment and
corruption in Nigeria.
Going back to the conflicts within the definition of the mode of production, Nigeria has to redefine:
Family size, Marriage timing, mode of production, population size, future and past events but most
importantly the Self. All Nigerians must agree that certain definitions of the worldview is false and has
a negative impact.
For instance Marriage and having children without planning is a false view of the world that is
supported by the Nigerian worldview. Then having several children when the income is not sufficient
is even a bigger false view about the world. Also blaming a government that is a product of a false
worldview is also false. These are major sources of strain to resources leading up to corruption and
underdevelopment. In the midst of the noise that covers up the Socio political-economic turbulence
in Nigeria, the struggle has always been about people. People fighting for the scarce resource. The
scarce resource cannot be increased but population can be controlled and decreased to create spare
for development. If the family size becomes proportional to income, we will have lesser frustrated
electorates voting blindly for frustrated politicians waiting to steal all they never needed. There will
be lesser pressure on schools, healthcare, electricity, security, subsidy etc. In this era, the average
Nigerian idea of “Self” becomes very prominent and having the understanding that he is at the centre
of the world and have need to control and explore it to his own benefits. Only then can his worldview
be elevated to reach the cognition of his Western, Russian and Chines counterparts. This stage I call
the universal truth stage.
The functionalist theorist says it all when they describe a society as an organism. Like in any living
organism, when a part is sick, it affects the whole living organism. Think about if you had a headache

3. Pre-15th Century worldview keeps Nigeria Underdeveloped and Corrupt.
and whether you would be able to take on more task or would prefer to rest. Nigeria as a living human
organism has a certain aspect of her worldview very false. This philosophy has given rise to
underdevelopment and corruption through the pre 15th century till date. Except we replace this
worldview we cannot develop and if history were to repeat itself like in the 18th century, we will be
colonized again in the future.
Finally, there is no need to look far. Just compare the Nigerian worldview with that of the Russians,
Chinese or Westerners’, there you will find all your answers.
Written by Godwin Jumbo
Entrepreneur and Social commentator.