Expectations are high that the new President Muhammadu Buhari will transform Nigeria. But while there is little doubt about his personal integrity and commitment, Nigeria is complicated. There is a crippling lack of confidence in the nation by its own citizens.

Nigeria has postponed its fiercest presidential election scheduled for this weekend. Nothing new. What is, however, worrying is the fact that every Nigerian election is a referendum on the continued existence of the country. A genuine national conversation about whether the country is sustainable the way it exists today is needed.

It matters pretty little who wins the elections next month. Years of political brinkmanship, reprehensible military dictatorship, corruption and irresponsible leadership have served to make nonsense of the true meaning of nationhood in Nigeria. The struggle for fundamental change must continue.

Nigeria is facing its worst existential crisis since the Biafra war. There is no alternative other than approaching the Boko Haram threat as a war.

Next year’s presidential elections will be a defining year for Nigeria with massive ramifications for the region and continent. Among the defining issues are the Boko Haram menace but ultimately how the elections will be waged and who will be the contenders? Will the giant of Africa continue to disappoint?

As a nation, Nigeria doesn’t work. The many crises of the past and current ones provide the evidence. The national conference called to discuss the way forward is yet another failed opportunity. The future of Africa’s giant looks pretty grim

In Nigeria, as in other parts of Africa, politicians seem to think that public office is an opportunity to pamper themselves, their families and cronies at public expense. The people must rise up against these predators.

Whilst there has been a rebasing of the Nigerian economy, there are those that hope that it will inspire further Foreign Direct Investment. Yet, rebasing is useless if it fails to provide jobs in what is said to be a growing Nigerian economy

Among the many issues the current national conference in Nigeria should examine is how to equitably generate and distribute wealth as well as redefine the meaning of citizenship

It appears the All Progressives Alliance (APC) is an amalgam of personalities from Nigeria’s main opposition parties. Yet, will the APC strengthen the party in terms of an ideology and build a mass base or continue to consort with unsavoury figures from Nigeria’s past? And for what purpose?

The former president’s tirade against the man he foisted on Nigerians is totally uncalled for, considering that Obasanjo’s failed two-time administration laid the foundation for much of the mess Jonathan is busy consolidating

A genuine national conference to discuss how to move Nigeria forward is not a silver bullet, but it must also tackle the structures that allow for corruption, abuse of office and impunity to thrive in Nigeria