A Reality Check: Nigeria’s 63 Years of Independence

I’m sure you might expect me to start with an optimistic and motivating speech about Nigeria, its history and how each government, past and present, has achieved remarkable results. Well, sorry to bust your bubbles but I am not going to do that because I’m not a member of any political party, as party members often have a very blinded and blurry perspective on the nation’s progress. It’s common to witness a lack of criticism when their party’s member is in power, regardless of their leadership quality, because they benefit from it.

This morning, I saw a member of the current political party in power in Nigeria talking about how we should focus on the beauty in our diversity and that is what makes Nigeria beautiful. But haven’t we heard enough of such pep talk? With each government that comes and goes, the lies and deception are still the same. They keep on making promises, promises they cannot keep and we continue to believe them.

I do not have the magical powers or even a super-hero to somehow take out all the bad people destroying Nigeria’s development, bad people who constantly benefit from every insecurity and are intoxicated with power and greed.

I am not any of those things but one thing I do know is that I am a young Nigerian girl who has spent a significant part of her life dreaming of a better Nigeria. And every single time, our politicians have consistently let me and countless other young Nigerians down.

I look at the children growing up today, full of potential and dreams, and I wonder what I can say to inspire them. How can I tell them that the song they sing in school every day, “Children, you are the leaders of tomorrow,” is not the reality of Nigeria?

How do I tell these bright children that their future is in jeopardy, not because there is something wrong with their abilities to dream but because the politicians who are supposed to protect their rights and well-being have forgotten their duties and put little effort and funding into the educational and research sector?

How can I tell them that while they aspire to be doctors, lawyers, scientists, engineers, artists, or hairdressers, there is a big world out there, and wanting to be doctors, lawyers, and journalists might not be enough and it never is? Sometimes, despite growing up and graduating with intelligence and dedication, they may end up unemployed or underemployed and someone who is not as smart as they are would get the job because they come from a very rich family who can eat their cake and have it back.

My dear friend, you see, I’m tired of sugarcoating the harsh realities of what Nigeria has become. A very important question needs to be asked: Is Nigeria’s 63-year-old independence an illusion or an achievement? Have we genuinely gained independence, or is it merely a dream and lies we tell ourselves blinding our eyes to the very reality we face clinging to lost glory desperately wanting it to be true? In my view, we are far from getting it right.

Sixty-three years ago, on a day like this, the country Nigeria got its independence breaking free from British colonialism. Nigerians were free to rule and govern their beloved country. They could be anything and no one would stop them, and the journey of a lifetime began.

I used to be so excited about Independence Day because I genuinely believed that there was so much to celebrate. Nigeria at 50 was always one of my memorable experiences, I didn’t have a particular reason I was happy but I was just so proud to be Nigerian.

“Children are the leaders of tomorrow,” they say. “You will grow up to have a well-paying job,” they say. “Nigeria will get better,” they say. However, I grew up to realise that all those were just lies and that life does not work that way most of the time. It was challenging to accept this, but I suppose it’s high time we did. This extended period of nationhood should have signalled our genuine independence, but the reality paints a different picture. Nigeria, formed during Lord Lugard’s era in the 19th century, has encountered numerous hurdles due to its multicultural and diverse nature.

Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day should be a time for celebration, reflection, and looking towards the future. But instead, it often feels like a time of sadness and disappointment. A time to remind you how much our government has failed us Our great nation, with so much potential and promise, seems to be slipping further into despair and chaos.

I won’t overwhelm you by delving into the numerous problems we face in Nigeria, such as terrorism, ethnocide, banditry, currency devaluation, terrorism, police brutality, governance failures, corruption, and many more. We’re all aware of these challenges, but it seems we’re not quite ready to break free from the shackles of using religion and ethnicity as defining factors for leadership, thus perpetuating a never-ending cycle.

The Way Forward: A Call to Action

I’d like to offer you a thoughtful assignment, which is the solution to the numerous problems we face in Nigeria. As you continue your journey of faith. Whenever you visit your chosen place of worship, be it a church or mosque, it’s an ideal opportunity to reframe your prayers. Rather than requesting divine intervention to change our leaders or the entire nation, you might consider a more personal and impactful approach.

You can pray, “God, I beseech you to bring about a transformation within me. Bestow upon me an open heart and the gift of deep thinking. Guide me towards meaningful connections with individuals who will not only nurture my personal growth but also help me see the world in a new and enlightening way. Help me to think critically before giving my vote to any candidate, not to be influenced by anyone but to rely on the wisdom that you provide within my own heart and mind. Grant me the strength and discernment to make choices that are guided by integrity, justice, and the well-being of our nation.”

This simple shift in your prayer focus can set in motion a powerful change. By working on ourselves and our own perspectives, we can become instruments of transformation in our families, communities, and eventually, our nation. After all, the transformation we seek often begins within each of us.

This solution may appear somewhat unconventional, but it holds the key to long-lasting change. Nigeria’s enduring problems are intrinsically linked to an uninformed masses, that consistently elects bad leaders. Even after recognising their shortcomings, they still vote them into power over and over again expecting a different result.

Have you forgotten that you cannot give what you do not have? A politician who does not have “education” as a priority cannot invest in education or any form of development.

But what if we collectively commit to breaking this cycle by focusing on bettering ourselves and our perspectives on life and society at large, across all regions — South, North, Central, and East Nigeria? Imagine the remarkable progress we could achieve by doing so.

When the majority of the masses are well-informed and enlightened, their votes naturally gravitate towards capable leaders, resulting in a tangible improvement across every strata of governance. This shift could herald an era of positive transformation for our beloved nation…

To move forward, we must take several critical steps. We must prioritize education and job creation, ensuring that our youth have the opportunities they deserve. We must invest in critical infrastructure, from roads to electricity, to drive economic growth. We must address the root causes of extremism and insecurity, promoting a culture of peace and tolerance.

It’s crucial to recognize the power of unity. Nigeria is a nation of many ethnic groups, religions, and languages. Our diversity is a source of strength, and our unity is our greatest asset. It’s essential to build bridges of understanding and solidarity among all Nigerians, irrespective of their background.

We must actively promote a culture of accountability and justice. This means holding our leaders to high ethical standards and ensuring that the rule of law prevails. It means empowering our institutions to act without fear or favour, and it means creating a society where every citizen feels safe and protected.

It’s also vital to support and empower our youth. Nigeria’s young people are our greatest resource. They are the leaders of tomorrow, and their energy, creativity, and innovation are our greatest hope. By investing in education, job opportunities, and mentorship, we can unlock the full potential of our youth.