Invite China to colonise us – Mahdi Shehu tells Nigerian leaders
Public Affairs Commentator Calls for Nigerian Leaders to Emulate China’s Development Model
Mahdi Shehu, a public affairs commentator, has urged Nigerian leaders to consider adopting strategies from China’s development model, emphasizing the benefits of learning from successful international practices.
In a post on his verified X account on Sunday, Shehu highlighted that nations achieving significant development owe their success to focused leadership and long-term planning, not mere chance. He stated, “Countries that reached enviable development, stability, and security levels did not achieve that by coincidence.”
Shehu pointed to China’s transformation as a prime example of how decisive leadership can turn challenges into opportunities. “Despite facing numerous disadvantages, China managed to overcome these obstacles and convert them into advantages,” he remarked.
He commended China’s rapid progress, noting that the nation’s current capabilities paint a picture of limitless potential. “Today, there is nothing impossible in China. With China, anything within human capacity is achievable,” he asserted.
However, Shehu criticized Nigerian officials and security agencies for their frequent study tours to China, questioning the effectiveness of these visits in fostering real change within Nigeria. “Our various security agencies and senior government officials have been visiting China for study tours and experience sharing, yet we see little to show for it,” he said.
He voiced disappointment that despite years of official exchanges, Nigeria has not made significant strides in implementing lessons from China’s development and governance model. “Perhaps we should invite China to take over for 50 years so we may learn the ropes,” he suggested.