I agree 419 is bad for brand Nigeria and it needs fixing. On the glass half empty side I would say it is damn hard to govern Nigeria and people are looking as much to government for the democracy dividend as they are for better rule of law. Government has to be seen to do both effectively.

On the glass half full side I would say these 419’s are a sure fire sign of latent innovative and market development potential. The problem is is that Nigerian citizens have been long excluded for meaningfuol participation in global markets. What does it say about this country’s potential that they are early and innovative adopters of the internet as a means of wealth (albeit illict) creation. And let’s face it if the market isn’t working for you and you are living in an economically impoverished society – let’s just say the ethical threshold to 419 maybe lowered. That is not to condone it though.

Question: assuming 419’s mean there is is latent potential here what should the Nigerian government and local entrepreneurs do to get into a global IT enabled market place. How can Nigeria leap frog development through the internet? What needs to happen in terms of education, policy, infrastructure etc.? What is the optimal conditions to create success?