The really sad thing about Nigeria is that in 20 or so years, our kids are likelier to be worse off than we have been. They are likely to keep repeating these same conversations, to keep trying to make this current arrangement work, if we continue to let violent illiterates rule.

Some of us will be lucky. Some of us will leave and give our children some semblance of security and hope.

Others who aren’t as fortunate (and this is more than 80 percent of the country) will continue to try their best to thrive in the country that’s trying to kill them.

Why do you think so many of Nigeria’s elite have their kids overseas? It isn’t just because of the better healthcare. It isn’t because it’s a status “flex”. It’s security. It’s getting that get out of jail free card. It’s recognizing that Nigeria is very much in one chance.

Our best minds are leaving (for good reason). And in droves too. They are leaving behind a very dangerous vacuum. Leaving behind inadequate leadership to steer Nigeria towards the right direction (decentralization of governance and constitutional reform).

It’s very worrying.

And here’s the thing that is most terrifying - it is very very easy to not care about Nigeria. EVEN as a Nigerian. The ease with which people can tune the country off for “peace of mind” is worrying.

So as more of us leave, indifference and apathy will rise.

I was thinking to myself the other day, the likeliest outcome Nigeria has if we do not have the uncomfortable discussions and do the uncomfortable things is to exist in a state of constant dependence on its diaspora for survival.

This is not even the worst outcome we can have.