Financial analyst Kalu Aja has ignited national debate after claiming Nigeria’s economy performed better under British colonial rule than after independence in 1960. In a post shared on X on January 17, Aja argued that Nigeria’s strongest economic years were in the 1950s, driven by structured governance and export-led agriculture.
He recalled Nigeria’s global dominance in cash crops such as groundnuts, cocoa and palm oil, which earned substantial foreign exchange before independence. Aja questioned the disappearance of iconic landmarks like groundnut pyramids and vast palm plantations, blaming post-independence leadership failures for the decline.
According to him, agriculture and other productive sectors thrived due to administrative discipline introduced by colonial authorities, insisting that their exit marked the beginning of economic decay.
His remarks come amid rising living costs and public frustration, despite official data showing a decline in inflation. While the Federal Government insists current reforms will stabilise the economy, Aja’s comments have reopened conversations about governance, productivity and Nigeria’s economic direction since independence.
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