Re: Nigeria, Greatness and the Missing Link By Prof. M. K. Othman

Re: Nigeria, Greatness and the Missing Link
By
Prof. M. K. Othman

A quick break – time to share feedback from my valued readers and see the issues discussed in this column from all angles. This week and in the coming weeks, I will present opinions and observations on three critical issues – the potential for Nigerian greatness, the death of the academics, and the ABU 45th Convocation – which were thoroughly presented in this column. These issues and several others presented in my column can be accessed via my blog – https://deepthoughtwithmkothman.blogspot.com/2026/02/nigeria-greatness-and-missing-link-ii.html?m=1
Happy reading

Thank you so much, Sir, for this blissful article. Nigeria’s resources are indeed a blessing. What is missing is effective management and infrastructure by our leaders to transform them into tangible benefits for Nigerian citizens. May Almighty Allah continue to bless your pen. May Almighty Allah guide our leaders to effective resource management, both human and natural.
Dr. Lawan Abdulmumini

A master piece to the likes of Alburda, worthy of experimentation. Can’t wait to see its continuation.
Hassan Abdulkadir Birchi

Thanks to Professor M.K. Othman for this insightful article! His analysis of Nigeria’s natural resources & human capital is spot on. The big question is: will our leaders harness these opportunities to drive growth and development? It is time for Nigeria’s leaders to harness these strengths and take us to the promised land.
Abubakar Abdullahi

Thank you very much for this thought-provoking piece. It is indeed a wake-up call for all—the masses and leaders alike. I can’t wait to read the rest and keep learning from the best. From what I’ve read so far, it’s glaring that Nigeria, as a country, needs to look inward, explore its overwhelming natural blessings, and, as a matter of urgency, halt its overreliance on oil. It’s high time we started utilising our numbers in a positive way, just like China and India —the two most populous countries in the world. They are using their population and best brains to get the needed results. It’s possible! It’s achievable. Thank you very much once again, Prof. More ink to your pen.
Abubakar Mohammed Nyakos

This insightful and thought-provoking piece by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. M. K. Othman, presents a rich historical and qualitative analysis of Nigeria, highlighting the paradox between its enormous natural and human endowments and the persistent challenge of underdevelopment. With clarity, depth, and empirical grounding, Sir, you expose the nation’s vast potential while highlighting the critical missing link in human capital development. The article not only educates but also provokes sober reflection and a sense of national consciousness. May the ink of this pen never run dry, and may we, the readers, continue to draw wisdom, direction, and purpose from such timely intellectual contributions for the good of the nation. We are eagerly waiting for the next bulletin. Gaiety
Dr. Abdul’aziz Busa

As a Psychologist, my focus of interest is on the quotation space, which is an Apt
Abraham Maslow is a famous humanistic psychologist who focuses on human growth, personal development, and positive human potential. He believed that people are motivated by a hierarchy of needs, ranging from basic physiological and safety needs to higher needs such as love, esteem, and self-actualization (reaching one’s full potential).
A clear lesson from the quotation is that, as human beings, we should relearn that fear is a killer of destiny, motivation, ability, and interest!. Always test the waters before giving up on one’s interests or intentions. That testing of the waters is a point where the forward and the backward are illustrated by Maslow.
Maslow talked about backward and forward because of the pyramidal nature of his needs hierarchy and he insisted on safety position if one tries and fails, always look at your safety first, whenever you push forward or took a risky motives towards life progress once the road seems to have no light at the end of the tunnel, instead of hanging in the darkness turn back to the safety.
This analogy is applicable to every area of human endeavor, including business, life at workplaces, marriage institutions, educational institutions, legal institutions, and life in general. Thank you, Prof. M.K., for the ignition switch
Dr. Ayuba Idris

I am deeply inspired by this insightful, knowledge-rich write-up on human and natural resources in human development. As a student seeking knowledge, I remain optimistic that if the ideas and strategies presented are properly adopted and effectively implemented by our nation, they will lead to rapid growth and sustainable development.
All the resources highlighted are readily available and have the potential to be harnessed to drive meaningful progress and eradicate the persistent poverty affecting our society.
Thank you very much, Sir, now and always
Mubarak Iliyas Umar

Capital development is indeed a missing ingredient in Nigeria’s development. While doing so, we should target all cadres of education. The lopsided admission of students into white-collar careers should be addressed. We need a lot in the areas of vocational and technical education.
This reduces reliance on government work, which is not always there. Additional investment in such fields will provide us with sufficient manpower in the areas of Agricultural, mineral, and infrastructure Development by fabricating the necessary tools and equipment and ensuring the manpower to operate them.
Our craving for certificate-based qualifications should give way to practical/hands-on performance-based qualifications.
We can still reach that level if the ministries and agencies responsible for those duties are adequately funded. Budget allocations should be released on time. We should stop this zero-to-1% budget release, as reported by some agencies in 2025. The renewed hope agenda shouldn’t just be a slogan, as we have heard from past administrations.
Prof Sani Isiaku

Thought-provoking, great discourse! Is anyone listening?
Alhaji Sani Ahmed