On Independence Day, Nigeria

“Honor your father and mother, so your days may be long” (Exodus 20:12). This is more than a call to honor our elders—it is a call to honor the wisdom that has shaped our past and the foundation upon which our future must be built. Nations that discard the wisdom of their elders find themselves endlessly repeating mistakes, trapped in cycles of errors. As the Yoruba wisdom teaches, a nation is made up of the old, the young, and the visitor—all are essential in its building and progress.

The Bible also says, “Without vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). And I would add, without strong family units, a nation fractures. One of the deepest challenges in Nigeria today is the scattering of families across the world. When I was young, my cousins were a short drive away—now, families are spread across continents, separated by oceans. Though this has its advantages, I guess remittances and cultural exchange, no nation can thrive when its people, both young and old, are eager to leave in search of hope elsewhere. The bonds that families bring—the love, support, and shared purpose—are critical to nurturing the common good. When these ties weaken, the very fabric of the nation begins to unravel. A tragedy of the commons.

Today, Nigeria is at a critical juncture, a time of recalibration. After years of reckless spending and neglect of the masses, we are facing the consequences of profligacy. But within this crisis lies an opportunity for realignment. In 2017, when I founded Consonance, it was built on a foundation of faith in Nigeria’s potential for prosperity. Prosperity, as I see it, is rooted in a simple principle: men and women are meant to serve one another, to build each other up, not tear each other down. True prosperity is life abundant. It is a culture that fosters abundant production, and a quick, equitable distribution of the value created.

The foundation for this rests on five pillars:

1. Human Capital: Nigeria’s greatest asset is its people. To unlock the full potential of our nation, we must invest in education, health, and the opportunities that allow each person to contribute meaningfully. It is through our people that we will rise.
2. Social Capital: Justice must be accessible to all. We need systems that are fair, equitable, and protect the rights of every citizen. Property rights and the assurance that what one owns is truly theirs are essential to strengthening economic and cultural values.
3. Real Assets: Infrastructure—power, roads, transportation, housing—are the skeleton upon which our productivity and stability rest. These are the systems that allow goods and people to move, creating opportunities for trade and connection.
4. Digital Infrastructure: Staying competitive requires robust digital networks. Innovation thrives where there is connectivity, and Nigeria must ensure that we are connected, not just internally but to the global economy.
5. Financial Capital: Every vision requires resources to come to life. The question we must ask is: How are the funds and savings of our citizens—pension funds, taxes, bank deposits, and investments—being used? Are these financial resources being directed toward productive, nation-building purposes that benefit all Nigerians? Government borrowings, citizens’ savings, and public funds must be allocated to areas that create jobs, improve infrastructure, and drive economic growth. How do we ensure that every naira works toward a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria?

I ask today: What binds us as a people? What are our core values? Are we prepared to serve one another, to lift each other up? What is Nigeria’s 30-year vision? Can we execute on this vision without pause? Can we institutionalize prosperity, ensuring that the complex is made simple, and the blessings of abundance are accessible to all?

I love Nigeria, and I love Nigerians. We are a nation of lions, ready to roar. Though we are at a crossroads, the future is clear for those who have faith to see it. Nigeria is great, and the world is slowly awakening to this birth of greatness.

May God bless Nigeria, the ultimate country. Happy Independence Day.