The article was written by ASFL Executive Board Chairman Emeka Ezeugo

Every man wants to have his way, but a lot of factors prevent us from doing just that. Some of these factors may be religious, cultural or political. A Buddhist Monk or a Catholic Priest is forbidden by his religious vows to get married, some cultures forbid a King to step out of his palace except on peculiar situations, while some political ideologies encourage state regulation of the actions and behavior of its citizens.
In Nigeria, unfortunately, religion is used as an excuse to deny people of their individual rights and liberty. From a report, the daughter of a pastor of a popular Nigerian church converted to Islam and her father threatened fire and brimstone until the young lady took refuge in the palace of the Emir of the community. In another case, the British Broadcasting Corporation for Africa (BBC Africa) on June 25 broke the news of the Nigerian man who was bundled to a psychiatric hospital by his family members for not believing in God. The doctors certified him okay and advised his family members to let him be. I have mentioned in another post the case of LGTBs and why their rights should be respected. 

In various ways, the market has been so regulated that people find it difficult doing business in the country, while government monopoly and cronyism are encouraged. A few cases may suffice.
The federal government has put tariff on imported cars at 70% (35% Levy and 35% Duty), all in the guise of promoting locally made cars. What does it mean for the market? An increase in tax will lead to an increase in the price of cars, thereby reducing the people’s capability to buy imported cars and the services that come with it. In other words, car importers will increase the prices of imported cars considering the amount of tax they have to pay, therefore the average Nigerian will need to pay more to purchase second-hand cars popularly called “Tokunbo.”

Let us not forget that Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Nigeria (IVM) has received tremendous support from the federal government, despite being a private enterprise. IVM’s objective is to saturate the Nigerian market with their cars, and ultimately be able to export their products. But to achieve this, there is need for protection from the government. Already, some of these “made-in-Nigeria” cars are on Nigerian roads, purchased as part of government efforts to improve the transport system. This is a classic case of rent-seeking; where citizens are compelled to buy cars they had rather not.

Car importers who cannot afford to pay these taxes will go out of business causing unemployment, and a black market will be created. Only those who act as fronts for the “big men” in government or friends of people in government, will be able to pay these taxes and sell the cars back to government officials and agencies at ridiculous prices, with tax-payers’ money. Or maybe the few that are able to get loans from financial institutions would be able to operate in this market. But it does not erase the fact that the price of imported, and of course better cars, will increase. People would then prefer to buy cars smuggled into the country at cheaper prices, and corruption in the Nigerian Customs Service will sky-rocket. In the end, the right of every Nigerian to choose what is best for him is trampled upon, all in the guise of nationalism.

Recently, Students For Liberty embarked on a campaign to end the war on drugs, aimed at informing citizens and policy makers on the urgent need to end the war on drugs, especially Marijuana. According to Lawrence Reed, President of the Foundation for Economic Education, “Marijuana has killed fewer people than swimming pools; it’s the war against it that does all the violence. This is a billion-dollar industry which I believe the Nigerian government can invest in, rather than confiscating private property being used for the production of goods for a burgeoning market, incarcerating entrepreneurs who have dared to invest in an area of farming still untapped and with maximum potential, while at the same time encouraging agriculture as a gateway out of poverty.

We can only achieve a free Nigeria if we can respect the abilities and decisions of individuals, as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others, and as long as they bear responsibility for their own actions. Sometime in January of this year, a name-sake of the writer and Nigerian International footballer, Emeka Ezeugo had converted to Islam. His decision was welcome by his family who understood that, as an adult, he was capable of making decisions for himself.
The freedom to choose depends on the Nigerian government creating an enabling environment that allows for the ownership of private property, production and exchange of goods and services without undue taxation, while ensuring that the rule of law is respected.