Why we are not so feeling the impact of SMEs on the economy

An annoying business environment  

Watching the sorry state of the Nigeria economy, I discovered that we are a nation that enhances the economy of other nations. We are proud, yet unproductive. In this article, I intend to raise a number of issues which needed to be addressed urgently to reposition the Nigeria economy and reduce our current dependency level. We are a nation that imports about 85 % of our basic need.
We import foods, clothes, shoes, provisions, electronics, vehicles, mobile phones, tooth picks, brushes, the list is endless. Even the so called industries we have are solely dependent on imported raw materials and machines for their day to day operations. Any economic sanctions on Nigeria at this point will be disastrous and crippling. In short, we are the dumping ground for all products from abroad-the original, the fake, the below standard and every level of quality.

The annoying thing about this whole situation is that we are a nation without shame. To my fellow Igbo men (highest importers in Nigeria), if you don’t put importer exporter while introducing them, you‘ve committed a big crime. My concern is why boast about impoverishing your country. It is only in Nigeria that such a ridiculous combination can be a title.

Another more annoying situation is that many people in public offices are involved in this menace of importation and this explains why our policies on importation and local production have always been watered down. When the same people in charge of policy and the economy are the same people bringing this goods into the country then the local producers are in trouble.