Hello, my dear friends, it’s Dr. Charles Apoki here. I want to share some thoughts with you about the immense pressure that we face in Nigeria—pressure that is almost unbearable. As I reflect on life in other parts of the world, such as where I am now, I can’t help but feel the stark contrast. People here walk around freely, relaxed, and without the stress that we, as Nigerians, carry every day. You can see the calm in their movements and hear the silence in the environment. Before we came here, there was a large crowd, but there was minimal noise—unlike in Nigeria where we are constantly on edge. Everyone is chill here, minding their own business.
Why Don’t Our Leaders Replicate What They See Abroad?
One of the things that grieves me is that our leaders travel to these places and witness the same things I am witnessing. They see the infrastructure, the amenities, and the quality of life, yet they refuse to develop Nigeria. Why is that? I believe it’s intentional. Poverty is weaponized by those in power. They know that as long as the people are poor, they can be controlled.
Look at the political campaigns here—they don’t promise roads, electricity, or water. You won’t hear those kinds of pledges because those basics are already provided. In fact, I’ve had free Wi-Fi everywhere since I arrived. I haven’t bought a single megabyte of data. In Nigeria, we’re promised roads, water, and electricity, but those things are still out of reach for many of us.
Poverty as a Tool for Control
Once poverty becomes a weapon, it’s easy to manipulate people. Our leaders know this. When people are poor, they will honor and respect those in power, hoping for a handout. It’s tragic. It reminds me of the monasteries we visited recently—built centuries ago by the Greek Orthodox Church. There, the religious leaders don’t manipulate people with fear or miracles. They don’t pressure people with the constant need for breakthroughs and deliverance. Yet, their followers are committed because they provide tangible support and serve as role models.
In Nigeria, religious leaders tell you to sow seeds, pay tithes, or face hell. We see pastors driving luxurious cars while many of their congregants suffer. When poverty is weaponized, people are kept dependent on the promises of miracles and breakthroughs, never really able to break free.
Insecurity in Nigeria vs. Other Countries
Insecurity is one of the biggest issues we face. But let’s be clear—there’s a difference between safety and insecurity. Safety means protection from harm, while insecurity is the lack of a guaranteed future. When people feel insecure, they have no sense of self-worth or direction. That insecurity leads to desperation—people steal government funds, block roads, or even join cults. It’s the lack of a guaranteed future that causes most of our problems.
In contrast, many of the people here have pensions, health insurance, and guaranteed schooling for their children. Even prisoners in countries like Norway live in humane conditions. Here, crime is taken seriously. If you break into someone’s house, you will be arrested immediately. In Nigeria, even if you catch the thief red-handed, they might walk free and come after you later.
Our Leaders Are the Problem
In Nigeria, the real enemies are not witches and wizards, as some of us are led to believe. It’s our political leaders. They are the ones who refuse to provide basic infrastructure and keep us in a state of constant fear and insecurity. They are the ones who punish us with lack of electricity, bad roads, and poor healthcare. God will punish them for their wickedness.
The same goes for our religious leaders who travel to the Western world and see these better standards of living but refuse to push for change back home. Instead, they keep us in bondage with fear and dependency on them for prayers and miracles. Many of them don’t want to empower their followers because a free, educated congregation would no longer be dependent on them.
Building a Better Nigeria
The pressure in Nigeria is too much, and it’s intentional. Our leaders—both political and religious—have designed it this way to maintain control. But we can’t continue like this. We must demand more. We must hold them accountable. It’s time for a change.
Imagine a Nigeria where there’s free Wi-Fi everywhere, where schooling is affordable, and healthcare is accessible. Imagine old people living in homes more beautiful than the best estates in Nigeria. It’s possible, but we need leaders who care, who aren’t intent on keeping us poor and dependent.
Thank you for listening, and remember, the power to change lies in our hands.
Stay tuned for more insights and don’t forget to join me at my upcoming conference, Becoming a Man of Influence, happening on the 9th of November
Your friend,
Dr. Charles Apoki
