As Nigeria Celebrates 63 Years… 

For the current generation of Nigerians, the urgent need to address the issues of national unity and the collective ambitions of the country’s diverse ethnic groups, which number over 250, cannot be delayed any further. The escalating tension and the disruptive actions of non-state actors engaged in violence are greatly altering the structure and dynamics of the state.
Some international organisations perceive Nigeria as weak or at risk of failure, while others believe it is already a failed state. In various rankings, Nigeria appears among the most fragile and at-risk countries, such as being ranked 16th in the 2022 Fragile States Index by the Peace Fund, and 14th in the World Population Review’s Failed States Report 2022. This reflects Nigeria’s persistent challenges despite its age of 63.
The current state of the economy can be described as disastrous. The once diverse range of exports and healthy competition among the different regions have been overshadowed by an over-reliance on crude oil revenues for both foreign earnings and funding the federal and 36 states. This over-reliance has led to a decline in self-reliance and a neglect of productive initiatives, such as agriculture, manufacturing and mining. Deep-seated corruption has negatively affected institutions and progress in the country.
Education is in disarray as there has been an annual increase of 21.43 percent in adult illiteracy between 1991 and 2018, according to Knoema. The number of illiterate adults has risen from 24million to 41.76million in 2018, and reached an estimated 76million by 2021, according to the former Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu. Furthermore, the regular lecturers’ strike often results in the closure of public universities for a long period.
Elections are heavily monetised and compromised, and the violent selection system has crowded out the upright and those without money or rich godfathers. The 2023 general election that brought Bola Tinubu into office as President along with a wave of governors and legislators into government, have long been ridiculed as nothing but a travesty; an assault on everything moral and decent about elections and electioneering in Nigeria.
Poor power supply has remained the bane of manufacturing in the country. It is one of the reasons why the cost of locally produced goods is beyond the reach of the average Nigerian. The importance of stable and affordable electricity in the chain of production cannot be over-emphasised. The lack of it is affecting the cost of production and eroding profitability.
The absence of critical and needed infrastructure has impacted the deliverables and Nigerians have not enjoyed a robust system that could deliver the best of services to the citizens. This gap in infrastructure development has adversely affected the nation’s growth trajectory. Though there have been many conversations around infrastructure development and several policies developed by the government at all levels to address the gap, success has not been achieved.
Recent data from the United Kingdom Financial Times reveals that Nigeria’s unemployment rate has sharply increased, particularly among young people aged between 15 and 35. More than half of this age group (55.4percent) are either unemployed or struggling with chronic underemployment. Experts warn that this combination of a growing youth population and socio-economic challenges is a potential crisis that requires immediate attention from the authorities.
Under President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria experienced multiple instances of disregarding the rule of law and neglecting court orders. This pattern continues today. The rule of law is crucial for a democracy, serving as the foundation of constitutional democracy and shaping an effective legal system. It is important to assess the role of the rule of law in today’s Nigeria.
There is a disturbing increase in labour-related issues, leading to frequent industrial actions by trade unions and affected associations. This has negative consequences such as hindering economic activities, disrupting progress in various sectors, and contributing to the rising unemployment rate. Trade disputes often escalate to strikes when internal mechanisms fail to resolve them, which is detrimental to the nation’s progress.
Successive governments in Nigeria exacerbate these challenges and many others instead of resolving them. The country exemplifies a pattern of mimicking foreign institutions without achieving the desired results. The Presidency, state administrations, federal and state legislators, local governments, and the judiciary all suffer from corruption, inefficiency, and compromised integrity.
Nigerians must refuse their oppression and poverty. Democracy cannot be left solely to politicians, this mentality has brought the country to the edge. They should mobilise at all levels through sit-ins, peaceful protests, petitions, and regular interactions with elected officials to demand accountability. South Korea’s activist youth contributed to the enrichment of democracy in that country. The same can be replicated in our nation. Nigerians must oppose impunity and misrule.
Providing solutions to how the country can return to the path of greatness, a legal luminary, Afe Babalola, said: “All concerned Nigerians must acknowledge the flashing bright red warning lights and begin to ask tough questions on how to draw the country out of its doldrums. Without doing so, the country called Nigeria may be facing a tipping point that no one could predict its ultimate result.”
The future looks bleak and ominous; but it is up to Nigerians to take back their sovereignty, checkmate the unruly, corrupt, and unaccountable political class, and create a peaceful, prosperous polity. Nigeria once worked, and it is not improper to anticipate a truly glorious country that lives to its potential and works for all. It begins with the choices we make. A truly independent Nigeria is still possible, if Nigerians are willing to dare, and capitalise on the opportunities.
Happy Independence Day!