The Demise of Nigeria's Flying Elephant

The provided text examines the unique history of Nigeria's national airline, humorously dubbed "Flying Elephant," which operated for 45 years despite numerous challenges. The airline's unconventional elephant logo is presented as a reflection of the nation's unusual approach to air travel, particularly concerning excess baggage. The author highlights how widespread corruption, both internal and external, as well as overstaffing, significantly contributed to the airline's operational inefficiencies and ultimately, its collapse in 2003. Despite the difficulties, the text sarcastically commends Nigeria for maintaining such an "elephant" in flight for so long, implying a remarkable, albeit problematic, achievement.