MARCEL MBAMALUIn the absence of effective governance, communities in Southeast Nigeria have long relied on a culture of self-help to drive development. But beneath the surface of this resilient spirit lies a complex web of challenges and unintended consequences.
From building schools and roads to providing healthcare and civic amenities, this inherent self-help culture is a testament to the people’s resourcefulness and community spirit. But that approach to development also raises critical questions about the role of government, inequality, and sustainability.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThis practice in Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states may have emerged primarily as a response to government neglect and marginalisation, especially following the Nigerian Civil War. Another key factor is the Igbo philosophy of “onye aghana nwanne ya” (no one should leave their brother behind), which underpins this communal approach to development. While this practice is commendable, it has its pitfalls.
In Anambra State, for instance, individual initiatives have been instrumental in providing essential amenities and infrastructure to rural communities. Town unions, age grades, and social clubs have also played significant roles in driving these development efforts. Notable examples from Ojoto include the construction of Girls’ Secondary School in 1978 and a Boys’ Secondary School in 1982, as well as the building of a post office.
The late Chief Annie Okonkwo was also known for his involvement in road construction, demonstrating how prominent community members can drive development initiatives.
Self-help projects in Anambra State have focused on various sectors, including education, healthcare, road construction, and civic centres. Between 1976 and 1991, there was a shift in focus, with increased attention given to agriculture and agro-based industries, although social infrastructure remained the primary focus of community efforts.
Comparing Southeast Self-Help to Other Regions
This culture of self-help has not only provided essential services but has also fostered a sense of pride and healthy competition among communities in Igboland and Anambra State. This culture in South-east Nigeria stands out compared to other regions due to its historical, cultural, and structural foundations. While Northern Nigeria relies on traditional rulers and religious organisations — such as emirs for mobilising resources for education and healthcare — the Southeast’s approach is rooted in grassroots communal action.
Southwest Nigeria, on the other hand, benefits from government-private sector partnerships and philanthropy, fostering urban growth through modern infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Niger Delta depends on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives by oil companies, which often lack sustained community involvement.
In contrast, the Southeast’s self-help ethos thrives on decentralised governance, where town unions, age grades, and social clubs coordinate projects like schools, roads, and civic centres.
Cletus Ibeto, a native of Nnewi in Anambra State, is an entrepreneur and philanthropist who leads the Ibeto Group, one of Nigeria’s largest conglomerates. His contributions exemplify the Igbo self-help culture, where individuals and communities take charge of development.
His efforts complement other notable examples across Igboland, such as Arthur Eze in Enugu State funding rural electrification and roads, Senator Offia Nwali in Ebonyi State supporting schools and water systems, and Rochas Okorocha in Imo State providing free education. These initiatives underscore the resilience and communal spirit of the Igbo people.
While other regions leverage external or hierarchical systems, the Southeast’s self-help model fosters resilience and pride, though it faces challenges like resource mobilisation. Its enduring relevance highlights how cultural values and historical adversity have shaped a unique path to progress.
The Burden of Self-Help
While laudable for its resilience and community-driven impact, this culture of self-help presents several challenges and unintended consequences.
One major issue is whether self-help inadvertently absolves the government of its responsibilities. As communities take on roles traditionally meant for the state—building schools, roads, and healthcare facilities—the government may become complacent, further neglecting its duty to provide public goods and services. This dynamic perpetuates a cycle where citizens are forced to shoulder burdens that should be collectively addressed through state mechanisms.
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Another significant challenge is that roads, schools, and other facilities constructed by communities often deteriorate quickly because there is no formal system in place for upkeep. Without government intervention to ensure sustainability, these projects may fail to deliver long-term benefits, leading to wasted resources and frustration among community members.
Self-help also exacerbates inequality between wealthier and poorer communities. Affluent areas with access to more resources can fund better schools, roads, and amenities, while poorer communities struggle to meet even basic needs.
While self-help has been instrumental in preventing Nigeria from becoming a failed state by fostering resilience and adaptability, it cannot replace the role of a functional government.
Balancing Community Efforts with State Support
Policies must balance empowering self-organising communities while ensuring that the state remains accountable for equitable development and infrastructure maintenance.
To strengthen Southeast Nigeria’s self-help culture while addressing its limitations, a collaborative approach between Individuals, communities and the government is essential. Government collaboration, rather than total reliance on self-help, could amplify community efforts by providing resources, technical support, and policy frameworks.
For instance, matching grants could incentivise communities to build schools or roads, with the government contributing funds to scale projects. Tax incentives for businesses or individuals supporting community initiatives could further mobilise resources. Public-private partnerships could also bridge gaps, such as private firms funding infrastructure in exchange for community land or labour.
Equally critical is ensuring the government fulfils its core responsibilities. While communities excel at grassroots development, systemic issues like infrastructure decay and inequality require state intervention.
Equitable funding mechanisms, such as redistributive policies, could ensure poorer communities receive support to avoid disparities. Maintenance programmes for self-help projects, funded by the government, would prevent decay and ensure long-term sustainability. Additionally, policy reforms should formalise community roles in governance, such as integrating town unions into local planning boards to foster accountability and coordination.
By balancing community autonomy with state support, Southeast Nigeria can harness the resilience of self-help while building a more inclusive, sustainable future. This dual approach would honour the Igbo ethos of collective responsibility while addressing systemic gaps that self-help alone cannot resolve.
Dr Mbamalu, a Jefferson Journalism Fellow, member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and Media Consultant, is the publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Prime Business Africa
Dr. Marcel Mbamalu is a communication scholar, journalist and entrepreneur. He holds a Ph.D in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and is the Chief Executive Officer Newstide Publications, the publishers of Prime Business Africa.
A seasoned journalist, he horned his journalism skills at The Guardian Newspaper, rising to the position of News Editor at the flagship of the Nigerian press. He has garnered multidisciplinary experience in marketing communication, public relations and media research, helping clients to deliver bespoke campaigns within Nigeria and across Africa.
He has built an expansive network in the media and has served as a media trainer for World Health Organisation (WHO) at various times in Northeast Nigeria. He has attended numerous media trainings, including the Bloomberg Financial Journalism Training and Reuters/AfDB training on Effective Coverage of Infrastructural Development of Africa.
A versatile media expert, he won the Jefferson Fellowship in 2023 as the sole Africa representative on the program. Dr Mbamalu was part of a global media team that covered the 2020 United State’s Presidential election. As Africa's sole representative in the 2023 Jefferson Fellowships, Dr Mbamalu was selected to tour the United States and Asia (Japan and Hong Kong) as part of a 12-man global team of journalists on a travel grant to report on inclusion, income gaps and migration issues between the US and Asia.
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