Reflections on Nigeria’s 64th Independence

As we gather today to commemorate Nigeria's 64th independence anniversary, it is natural to feel a surge of patriotic pride. For six decades, we have charted our own course as a sovereign nation, blessed with an abundance of natural and human resources. However, this occasion should also serve as a moment of sober reflection—a time to critically evaluate where we stand as a people and what the future holds for Nigeria.

The Nigerian dream, one where every citizen thrives in a country rich with opportunity, remains elusive. For years, we have watched as successive governments, especially the current one, failed to lift the nation out of the quagmire of poverty, insecurity, and corruption. Instead of progress, we are confronted with growing statistics that tell the story of a country in crisis.

Today, more than 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty, a damning statistic that underscores our failure to meet the most basic needs of the people. The education sector, once a beacon of hope for many families, is now in ruins, with over 18 million children out of school. Insecurity has become a daily reality, with banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism making life unbearable for ordinary citizens.

More painfully, our economy is in tatters. We now carry the burden of the highest debt profile in our history, with little to show in terms of infrastructure, economic growth, or job creation. Nigerians wake up each day not with hope but with anxiety, wondering whether they can afford basic necessities like food, healthcare, or even the rising cost of transportation. How did we get here?

The failure of leadership is undeniable. Instead of harnessing our immense potential, our leaders have been plagued by greed, inefficiency, and a profound disconnect from the realities faced by everyday Nigerians. We have become a nation that celebrates mediocrity while neglecting meritocracy, a country where the rule of law is frequently trampled upon, and where corruption seeps into every crevice of governance.

But we cannot remain passive spectators to our own decline. If we truly want to build a nation we can be proud of, one where future generations celebrate independence with genuine joy and not hollow platitudes, certain steps must be taken:

1. Demand Accountability: Leadership in Nigeria has too often been about entitlement rather than service. It is high time Nigerians demand transparency and accountability from their leaders. Public office must no longer be seen as a tool for self-enrichment, but as a sacred duty to uplift the lives of millions. The masses must unite to demand reform, ensuring that those who fail to deliver are voted out and held responsible for their missteps.

2. Prioritise Education and Healthcare: No country can develop without a healthy, educated population. Nigeria’s education sector must be revitalised, starting with investing in quality education for all and eradicating the staggering number of out-of-school children. Our healthcare system, too, needs urgent reform to ensure that all Nigerians, regardless of status, have access to affordable and quality care. A nation's progress is rooted in the well-being of its citizens.

3. Diversify the Economy: We can no longer rely on oil as the bedrock of our economy. Agriculture, technology, and manufacturing sectors need to be prioritised if we are to create jobs and reduce our dependence on imports. This is the only way to build a sustainable economy that provides opportunities for all, rather than the few. We must break free from the economic shackles of debt and chart a new path towards self-sufficiency.

4. Fight Corruption Relentlessly: Corruption remains the cancer eating away at Nigeria's potential. From the highest levels of government to the grassroots, we must adopt a zero-tolerance approach to corrupt practices. Stronger institutions and a judicial system that works must be at the core of this fight. Only then can we hope to restore faith in governance.

5. Bridge Tribal and Religious Divides: Unity is non-negotiable. For too long, tribal and religious disunity has been used as a tool to divide Nigerians. If we are to build a nation that thrives, we must put aside these differences and work together as one people. A nation that is fractured along these lines will never move forward. Nigeria belongs to all of us—Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulani, Ijaw, and every other ethnic group.

The state of our nation today is a clarion call for change. We must be honest in admitting our failures and bold in reimagining a new Nigeria. The responsibility rests on all of us—leaders and citizens alike. As we reflect on the past 64 years, let us commit to making the hard decisions and sacrifices necessary to build a nation that our children and their children will be proud to call home.

Our greatness is possible, but it will not come by accident. It must be built through deliberate effort, resilience, and a shared vision for a New Nigeria. Only then can we truly celebrate independence—one that signifies freedom from not just colonial rule, but from poverty, corruption, insecurity, and stagnation.

Now, more than ever, the time for action is upon us. Each one of us, from the highest office to the average citizen, has a role to play. We must reject apathy, challenge injustice, and embrace the power we possess as a united people. It is time to stop paying lip service to change and actively demand the transformation we seek in our society.

Citizenship comes with responsibility. We cannot afford to sit idly by, complaining about poor governance while neglecting our civic duties. We must vote wisely, engage in meaningful conversations about the future of our nation, and hold our leaders accountable at every turn. Our democracy is only as strong as the people who participate in it.

We must also support young Nigerians—the innovators, thinkers, and builders—who are driving change across various sectors despite systemic challenges. These are the visionaries who, with the right support, can lead Nigeria into a brighter future. We must invest in them, in education, and in industries that can propel our economy into the 21st century.

Ultimately, Nigeria’s destiny is in our hands. We have the power to turn things around, to redefine the narrative of failure that has plagued us for too long, and to usher in a new era of prosperity and unity. As we reflect on this 64th independence anniversary, let us not be content with the status quo. Instead, let us recommit ourselves to building a nation that reflects the true potential and greatness we all know lies within us.

If we are truly to celebrate future anniversaries with pride, let us begin today by forging a Nigeria where prosperity is shared, where justice is accessible, and where every Nigerian, regardless of their background, can live in peace and dignity. That is the Nigeria we must all work towards—a country we can finally and proudly call home.

Our future is unwritten, and the power to shape it belongs to us. Let us rise to the occasion and build the Nigeria of our dreams, one that can truly stand tall among the nations of the world.

This is our moment. Let us seize it.