Omo… only one? Is that even possible? A lot has happened in my country in recent times, and I don’t even know where to start. So many things happen on a daily basis. Every time we wake up, it’s one new story after another. Before we take time to recover from one heartbreak, we get hit with yet another one. So, on and on it goes, like a pendulum.
And in effect, while the days go by, it doesn’t really feel like the country is moving forward as a whole, more like we’re just stuck in place. Doing the same thing, making the same mistakes, while everyone is paying the price for our foolishness. This is 2026, and these are the problems we’re having.
I’d start this post off on a good note. One of the good things that has happened this year in this country is actually a bit late in coming. But a few weeks ago, I learned that CBN has lifted the ban on crypto in Nigeria. Now, while I got it from a trusted source, I have to say that I’ve not personally verified this news myself. However, it’s really good news because it means that people will be allowed to trade crypto more freely and won’t have to rely on that P2P thing that keeps putting people’s digital assets at risk.
We all know the shege that many of us saw when crypto got banned, and how it basically restructured the Nigerian crypto space. For a while, stakeholders in the industry suffered, but eventually, they found their footing and got used to the new reality. What this all means is that now, with the ban possibly being lifted, it would also come easier.
But then, this news is not coming at the best of times because crypto is at an all-time low. And many people are selling off their assets. This new law would be much more effective when the market picks itself up once again and gets a move on! So, that’s what’s up!
So now, on my bad thing, there are so many things that I’m sad or angry about. I’m sure that by now, a lot of people would have spoken about the insecurity and lack of adequate infrastructure in the country, so no need to also touch on those. However, there are other things I can talk about, like the new tax laws that have been passed into effect. It was passed last year, but became effective on the first day of this year.
Of course, this should be something that’s good for the country. However, with the track record of our leaders, I can’t help but wonder, where will all this revenue go? All these taxes that we pay, will they go into building infrastructure? Will it improve our security? What about our healthcare? Will our doctors get better pay? Are these what will happen? Or will they simply embezzle our money, leave us to suffer and languish in poverty while they grow fat on our blood and sweat?
These are the questions I ask. Anyway, this year and next year will make it clear what is really going on. People are being forced to pay their taxes, and I believe that this might have a good effect in the long run. A lot of things are allowed because people don’t feel responsible for the things around them. By the time you pay taxes, you’d see the government hospitals and roads as your property as well. And thus, do your own bit to protect it.
This way, people will be more inclined to demand more from their governments because now they can feel the sting of the payments they’re asked to remit, while not seeing evidence of the relief that was promised. So, all in all, this may have a good effect on the people in the long run.
But for now, let’s watch and see.
