Scam Hall of Fame Ep 2: The time Nigeria imported White Zimbabwean Farmers

The Nigerian Scam

In the second volume of our 'scam hall of fame' mini-series, we explore a classic Nigerian haux that might not have been the most daring or expensive, but was certainly the weirdest: the time Kwara State came up with the ingenious idea of importing white Zimbabwean farmers (along with tons of cows and machinery) ostensibly to set up commercial farms in the state.

Now a decade after the farms were inaugurated -- with the forced displacement of thousands of indigenous Kwaran farmers -- and after millions of dollars of state investment, the majority of farms established by the white Zimbos have now, predictably, collapsed. What inspired this laughable and ultimately ill-fated scheme? Was it an 'honest' mistake or a pre-medidated racket? Were Nigerian elites the victims or beneficiaries of this scam?

(Special thanks to Michael Parenti for the guest appearance).

Further reading:

Zimbabwean farmers in Nigeria: Exceptional farmers or spectacular support?

Why white Zimbabwean farmers plan to stay in Nigeria