Most Hungry Nigerians Are Lazy” — Apena Of Egbaland Sparks Outrage

The Apena of Egbaland and Oluwo of Iporo-Ake, Alani Bankole, has said Nigeria has abundant opportunities but argued that many people experiencing hunger have failed to take advantage of available opportunities.

According to reports, the 85-year-old traditional chief made the remarks during a media interaction on Wednesday, where he spoke about work ethic, youth development and the challenges facing the country.

Bankole blamed what he described as poor parenting and flaws in the system for encouraging laziness among some Nigerian youths. He advocated exposing children to productive activities from an early age and teaching them the value of hard work.

“There are too many opportunities in Nigeria for us not to be hungry. Most people who are hungry today are lazy people,” he said.

The Egba chief recalled that people of his generation often combined formal education with practical work, arguing that young Nigerians should similarly be taught how to develop skills and create wealth rather than depend solely on salaried employment.

“Teach people how to make money, don’t give them money. Salary jobs are only meant to eat. When you learn how to create wealth, you become rich,” Bankole said.

However, he also blamed the country’s broader system for contributing to the challenges Nigerians face, arguing that the structure inherited from the British colonial era has continued to create conditions that enable oppression and inequality.

“The system has encouraged a lot of nonsense. The system is responsible for our everyday calamity. Is it Tinubu that will go and farm for you?” he queried.

Asked whether he had any advice for politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections, Bankole declined, saying the political system of today was different from the one he experienced during his active years in politics.

He said politicians in his time focused more on reaching people in rural and border communities, adding that he no longer identifies with the style of politics currently being practised.