As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence anniversary, the mood across the land is far from celebratory. Our founding fathers who fought with zeal and selflessness to give us a sovereign nation would hardly forgive the generations that came after them. They envisioned a country flowing with milk and honey, but today, Nigeria remains trapped in the shadows of unfulfilled promises.
At independence in 1960, Nigeria stood tall, envied by many African nations. We were a regional power, a big brother who supported South Africa in its liberation struggle and opened our universities to leaders across the continent. But six decades later, the same Nigeria that once lent strength to others is now gasping for breath.
The economic trajectory tells the story best. In the past, the naira was almost at par with the dollar ₦1 exchanged for less than one U.S. dollar. Today, that same dollar stands “stable” at around ₦1,500, a grim testimony of how far we have fallen.
In the 1990s, under General Sani Abacha, a litre of petrol sold for about ₦20. Today, it stands “stable” at ₦900. But stability, in this sense, is a cruel irony prices of food, commodities, and basic services are all stably out of reach for the average Nigerian, while a privileged few smile to the bank, feasting on our commonwealth.
When weighed against the global indices of development, Nigeria consistently performs below average:
Economic Progress: Poor GDP per capita, weak human development, high unemployment, and rising inflation.
Social Progress: Worsening education quality, low life expectancy, deepening poverty, and poor healthcare.
Governance:
Rampant corruption, weak rule of law, and fragile institutions.
Quality of Life:
Declining wellbeing, insecurity, and lack of social safety nets.
Infrastructure & Innovation:
Erratic power supply, low technological advancement, and weak industrial growth.
This is not the Nigeria our independence heroes fought for.
This is not the Nigeria that once commanded respect across Africa.
Some continue to insist that the military years destroyed Nigeria’s foundation. But that excuse no longer holds water. Today, in Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré is driving a bold model of development, even under military rule. The truth is clear: Nigeria has been crippled not just by history, but by decades of corruption, greed, and lack of visionary leadership.
At 65, we must confront the bitter truth: Nigeria is far behind where it ought to be. We have not even reached the starting point of true national progress. The only path forward is to abolish corruption, embrace accountability, and rekindle the collective determination to move this nation forward.
Nigeria shall rise again but only if we choose honesty over pretence, action over empty slogans, and people’s welfare over political survival.
The time to rebuild Nigeria is now. If we fail again, the next 65 years will not forgive us.
Akinsile Akinniran
01/10/25