The Trouble with Nigeria

The Trouble with Nigeria is a non-fiction political pamphlet published in 1983. Spanning 68 pages, the work provides a critical analysis of Nigerian social conditions and political governance. It was released while Achebe was serving as a deputy national vice-president for his political party, shortly before the 1983 presidential election.

Chinua Achebe was an eminent Nigerian author and Igbo chieftain known for his profound impact on African literature. His body of work frequently examines the intersection of Igbo traditions, the influence of Christianity, and the clash between Western and traditional African values during the colonial and post-colonial eras.

The text identifies key political strategies used to maintain power, such as the invocation of tribalism and the diversion of state funding to specific regions to secure local support. According to Contextualizing Achebe's Thesis on Nigeria's Leadership Conundrum, these identified leadership issues remain pervasive in contemporary Nigerian politics. Achebe specifically critiques how politicians exploit ethnic enmity and promise regional benefits, such as electricity and roads, to manipulate the electorate.