Nigerian businessman and social commentator Isaac Fayose has sparked reactions after arguing that citizens themselves contribute to some of the challenges facing the country.

Fayose made the remarks in a viral video while addressing issues ranging from governance and business to infrastructure, electricity, flooding and political campaigns.

‘Nigerians are the problem of Nigeria’

During the discussion, Fayose repeatedly maintained that Nigerians should also examine their role in the country’s challenges. He argued that the way some citizens treat one another is partly influenced by what they experience from the government.

He said:

“Nigerians are the problem of Nigeria. Nigeria, I repeat, Nigerians are the problem of Nigeria. They are the problem.

To do business in Nigeria today, you will do like this. Because 90% of the people are now wicked. Because their government is wicked to them, they take it out on one another.

I don’t know why. And they keep quiet when government is doing this to them. They keep quiet.”

Fayose questions campaign spending and ambulance provision

Fayose also drew attention to government spending on election-related campaign buses, comparing them with the condition of emergency medical services available to citizens.

He challenged Nigerians to examine the difference between the branded buses used for political campaigns and the ambulances provided for public use.

He said:

“They put their hands in their mouth. They bury their self in shame. Look at the ambulance government is giving you.

See your own ambulance and see the buses they have branded for their own election. Look at the buses. Aren’t they beautiful? Now look at your ambulance.

Isn’t that, what do you make of that, you yourself, even thinking. What do you make of it? They’ve destroyed your life. They’ve destroyed your sense of reasoning.”

He speaks on roads and electricity

The businessman further raised concerns about the condition of roads and electricity across the country.

He argued that while ordinary citizens continue to deal with inadequate infrastructure and unreliable power supply, areas associated with government officials receive better attention.

Fayose said:

“You don’t have any road. But the road to their own government house is tarred. The road to their palace is tarred.

You don’t have lights. They give themselves power grid. And you are still there.”

His comments have generated discussion online, particularly around citizens’ responsibilities, government accountability, public infrastructure and the use of public resources for political activities.