I woke up this morning to different narratives circulating online, especially from those who are always ready to defend bad leadership because of political affiliation. These are often the same people who loudly criticise and demarket Nigeria whenever their preferred political parties or leaders are not in power. Their outrage is rarely driven by love for the country.
In recent days, a heated debate has trended online following the unfortunate accident involving Anthony Joshua and his friends during a visit to Nigeria. As expected, opinions are sharply divided. Some Nigerians have gone as far as saying things like “France did not happen to Diana, Spain did not happen to Jota, America did not happen to the Wigwes, but Nigeria happened to Anthony Joshua.” Others see such statements as hateful, unpatriotic, or a deliberate attempt to demarket Nigeria.
This piece does not seek to support or oppose any side. Rather, it aims to clarify what the argument ought to be about, with objectivity, empathy, and honesty.
The Accident Is Not the Problem
First, let us be clear. The accident itself is not the problem. Accidents can happen anywhere, to anyone, regardless of country, class, or status. Injuries and even deaths have occurred in France, Spain, the United States, and many other countries referenced in the ongoing debate. No nation is immune to accidents.
Anthony Joshua’s accident could have happened in Nigeria, the UK, or anywhere else in the world. That fact alone should not be weaponised to shame Nigeria or to defend it blindly.
More importantly, this is a sensitive time. Anthony Joshua is recovering physically and emotionally, and he is mourning. This is a moment for empathy, compassion, and support, not reckless commentary. Nigerians genuinely love Anthony Joshua, and he has consistently put Nigeria on the global map in a positive way.
Where the Real Argument Lies
However, while the accident is not the issue, what happens after an accident is where the real conversation begins.
Anthony Joshua had his accident in Nigeria, but he was flown abroad almost immediately to access proper medical care. That single fact changes the entire discussion.
The question then becomes: what would have happened if he were not rich, not famous, and did not have dual citizenship? What if he were an ordinary Nigerian with no access to private jets, foreign passports, or international hospitals?
This is where some Nigerians argue that “Nigeria happened to him” not because the accident occurred here, but because Nigeria lacks the facilities to adequately sustain victims of such incidents, especially ordinary citizens.
Two Nigerias Exist
If similar accidents happen in countries like the UK, France, or Spain, those countries generally have systems and facilities capable of responding effectively. Citizens are treated, stabilised, and rehabilitated within their own healthcare systems.
In Nigeria, the reality is different. Many Nigerians die daily from accidents and medical emergencies, not because their cases are beyond help, but because hospitals lack basic equipment, trained personnel, power supply, or emergency response capacity.
Is Nigeria not happening to those people?
Anthony Joshua survived and received quality care because he could leave Nigeria instantly. Millions of Nigerians cannot.
Accountability Is Not Hatred
Calling attention to this reality is not hatred for Nigeria. It is not demarketing the country. In fact, silence in the face of systemic failure is far more damaging.
A country is demarketed when:
Public funds are looted instead of being used to build hospitals, schools, and infrastructure.
Leaders routinely fly abroad for minor medical issues while citizens are told to manage collapsing hospitals.
Billions of naira are spent on so-called world-class hospitals that even top officials refuse to use.
Nigeria has seen cases where relatives of top government officials were flown abroad after accidents, even after massive investments in local healthcare. Yet when citizens demand accountability and basic social amenities, they are labelled unpatriotic or accused of hating the country.
Those asking questions are not disloyal. Those defending failure because of political loyalty are.
Patriotism Means Demanding Better
Patriotism is not blind support for leaders or political parties. Patriotism is demanding that:
Hospitals work for everyone, not just the elite.
Roads are safe.
Emergency services respond on time.
Citizens have access to education, water, electricity, employment, and security.
Since independence, the majority of Nigerians have been deprived of these basic social amenities, while a small group enjoys them privately and abroad. Supporting this imbalance because of political sentiment does not make anyone loyal to Nigeria.
Final Thoughts
Anthony Joshua’s accident is not the issue. We wish him full recovery and continued success. Nigeria did not fail because an accident happened on its soil. Nigeria fails when it cannot take care of its people after such incidents.
If the same accident had happened in the UK, it is unlikely that Anthony Joshua would be flown to Nigeria for treatment simply because he holds Nigerian citizenship. Systems matter.
This debate should not be reduced to insults, politics, or emotional nationalism. It should push us to ask a simple question:
When accidents happen to ordinary Nigerians, does the country have what it takes to sustain them?
That is the conversation worth having.
Let us stop supporting rubbish narratives, whether from blind defenders or reckless critics. Let us demand a Nigeria where basic social amenities work for everyone, not just the privileged few. That is how Nigeria can truly be made great.
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