By Ayomide Obembe
Africans are generally not inquisitive. As long as something works, it is considered fine—there is no need to understand the principles behind it. If you ask how it works, the answer is often, “It’s God’s work,” or “It’s a mystery that should never be understood.” This mindset discourages curiosity and stifles intellectual growth.
Yet, it is inquisitive and thinking minds that have driven human progress. The world as we know it today—from groundbreaking scientific discoveries to technological advancements—exists because certain individuals dared to ask, “Why?” and “How?” If you are not inquisitive, you are not thinking. And if you are not thinking, you are not truly living.
Imagine if Jean-Baptiste Lamarck and Charles Darwin had not been inquisitive. Africans would likely never ask, “Who gave birth to the first human on earth?” The theory of evolution would not exist. Instead of embracing scientific curiosity, many dismiss difficult questions with folklore and myths.
A child who dares to ask such questions may be told an amusing but baseless tale, rather than being encouraged to explore possibilities. Over time, this kills the child’s curiosity. Soon, they stop asking questions and accept whatever they are told. Everything becomes backed up by one myth or another. And just like that, another mind loses its potential for discovery.
This widespread lack of curiosity has made us a dangerously gullible people. We accept whatever we hear without question. We believe the words of influential people without verifying facts. The only time some Nigerians passionately demand answers is when their fufu reduces by one. And they will fight to get it back. “How did my fufu reduce from 10 to 9?”
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Take, for instance, the bizarre rumor that former President Muhammadu Buhari was cloned. When the claim spread, even university graduates—people who were expected to be enlightened—became its loudest promoters. The internet, especially Google, was readily available to provide clarity, yet many never bothered to do a simple search.
A basic understanding of cloning could have exposed the lie. Cloning does not produce an adult in a few months. A clone starts life as a baby, just like any other human, and grows over time. A clone also does not inherit the original person’s memories—it begins life with a blank slate, accumulating experiences like any newborn.
This simple knowledge would have rendered the rumor absurd. But were we thinking? No, we were not. Instead, we allowed misinformation to spread unchecked.
If Africans want to move forward, we must begin to think critically. We must question things, seek knowledge, and encourage curiosity in our children. The world does not reward those who accept ignorance as truth. It rewards those who dare to think.
Ayomide Obembe is a final-year veterinary medicine student and has a keen interest in writing, veterinary pharmacy, therapeutics, and pet care.
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