Challenges Facing the World Today

The world is facing many problems. There was a time when Russia threatened to use nuclear weapons in its war against Ukraine. Many people were worried about the possibility of nuclear war. Though that threat has calmed down, the war’s serious impact on Europe cannot be ignored. And what about the troubles between Israel and Iran? The progress made with the Abraham Accords has been overshadowed by explosions from Iranian weapons in the region. This will likely create new issues, with more ways to cause suffering.

Are there lessons for China as it looks to unify with Taiwan, even by force if needed? It is becoming clear that any war involving major economies will hurt the global economy. This is due to how connected economies are today. Global politics and social ties will suffer as these economies face serious problems.

Adding to this is the worry over falling birth rates worldwide. At some point, an ageing population will cause issues. This is where fewer births meet more older people, thanks to advances in health care. It will put pressure on pensions and public finances. With fewer young people joining the workforce, economic growth may slow down. How will changes in family structures affect society? Two likely outcomes are less pressure on resources and possibly more investment in each child. But without increased productivity, humanity will face challenges.

Could the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) provide a solution to the population issues? Depending on who you ask, AI could either lead us to a better future or bring about disaster. Before we reach either point, AI will likely change how work and rewards are structured, impacting the world in significant ways. There will be both winners and losers. And what about the new gap in technology that AI will create?

The economy is struggling to gain momentum. Many young people, a large part of the population, are not in training or working. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of efforts to boost domestic productivity. The government’s initial reform push has now slowed down, caught in the trap of political party struggles.

It seems likely that developing countries like Nigeria will suffer more. Nigeria faces many serious and immediate challenges. It is tough to make sense of it all, even with a simple chart showing likelihood and severity of issues. Our politics is tired and in dire need of reform. The opposition, which is essential for democracy to work, is missing. Internal party activities often feel like coronations rather than true elections, reflecting the interests of party elites rather than the people’s wishes.

The economy continues to struggle. A significant number of young people are not in training or employed. This raises doubts about the success of current efforts to enhance productivity. The government’s reform agenda, once bold, has become stagnant due to political divisions. Or is it that remnants of state control in policy-making still favor demand-side changes, giving the government more power than the private sector? Either way, these conflicts show in two key areas: rising poverty and a widening gap between the rich and poor. When you add increasing security issues to this, it is clear that Nigeria’s social fabric is under strain.

Yet, compared to global issues, Nigeria’s problems seem small. This is why the self-appointed leaders of the world often overlook us, only paying attention when our troubles threaten to spill over into the region.

I wonder if greed, described in the Bible as the root of all evil, has a limit. There must be a way to stop such destructive behavior, or we might end up like Harare, Khartoum, or Mogadishu.

Our elected leaders seem to focus on their own interests, believing that even outcomes as bad as those in Somalia or Sudan won’t affect them personally. Especially since they have secured multiple passports from non-African countries. As the Yorùbá saying goes, "Igí da ẹyẹ fó." When that branch breaks, the cradle will fall, but the elite in Nigeria know how to protect themselves.