Nigeria, Jan. 10 -- Six decades after independence, Singapore stands as one of the world's richest countries by income per capita. Nigeria, by contrast, remains stuck in a cycle of underperformance, despite possessing far greater natural and human resources. The comparison between both countries is uncomfortable, but unavoidable. One had almost nothing and built an economy. The other had everything and keeps explaining why progress is yet to be attained.

Singapore's story is not a miracle. It is a case study in leadership choices, institutional discipline and long-term economic thinking. Nigeria's problem is not a lack of ideas or plans; it is a chronic failure of execution, consistency and political will.

When Singapore became independ...