By DAN MANJANG
As Nigeria marks 64 years of independence, the state of the nation calls for deep reflection. Our forefathers fought tirelessly to free us from the shackles of colonialism with a dream of a united, prosperous, and just nation where every citizen would thrive in peace and equity. However, the Nigeria of 1960 remains markedly different from the Nigeria of today. The aspiration of becoming the “giant of Africa” has remained largely unfulfilled, mired by leadership deficit, endemic corruption, and a lack of patriotic zeal. At 64, Nigeria is growing in population, but it is certainly not developing.
Nigeria, from its inception, had a vision of being a beacon of hope for other African nations. We had abundant natural resources, a vibrant population, and diverse cultures. The unity in our diversity was to be our strength. But six decades later, the dreams of our forefathers seem farther from reality than ever before. We have become a country caught in a cycle of mediocrity, where leadership is more about personal enrichment than public service. The development strides that should have followed independence have been consistently hindered by a leadership vacuum that has left us grasping for solutions.
One of the most glaring impediments to Nigeria’s growth is the leadership deficit that has plagued our nation. In every tier of governance, we have witnessed leaders who put their personal and ethnic interests above national unity. Leadership has become transactional, with short-term gains overshadowing long-term national objectives. Instead of visionary leaders who set bold, transformative agendas, we are often left with individuals whose main focus is to hold onto power at all costs. Leadership is about serving the people and leaving behind a legacy of progress. Sadly, this is missing in Nigeria.
Closely linked to our leadership challenge is the problem of endemic corruption. Nigeria is ranked among the most corrupt countries in the world, a statistic that underscores the pervasiveness of this scourge. Corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the nation, siphoning funds meant for critical sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Public office, which should be a platform for national development, has become a conduit for looting the nation’s wealth. The cost of corruption is steep—lives lost in ill-equipped hospitals, roads left unbuilt, and industries crippled by poor power supply. The vicious cycle of corruption has trapped Nigeria in a loop of underdevelopment.
Sixty-four years post-independence, we remain apprehensive of any meaningful development without a drastic reorientation of the Nigerian people. As a society, we have normalized mediocrity and praised wealth without asking its source. The very fabric of our values has been eroded, and until we, as a people, commit to a change of mindset, no progress will be sustainable. Patriotism should mean more than waving the Nigerian flag or singing the national anthem—it must be reflected in our actions, in our integrity, and in our collective responsibility to build a nation that works for everyone.
One disturbing reality is that while Nigeria is growing in population, it is not developing at a commensurate rate. The country’s infrastructure is in decay, the education system is in crisis, and the healthcare system is collapsing. Our cities are expanding, but not in a planned or sustainable manner. With a population projected to hit 400 million by 2050, we face a ticking time bomb. If we fail to address the infrastructure deficit, youth unemployment, and education crisis, we may be facing an unprecedented level of social unrest and instability in the coming decades.
Nigeria’s economy, once booming with the discovery of oil, has become overly dependent on this single resource, leaving us vulnerable to global oil market fluctuations. Successive governments have talked about diversifying the economy, yet very little progress has been made. Agriculture, once the bedrock of our economy, has been neglected, and our manufacturing sector remains largely underdeveloped. The lack of consistent policy frameworks to encourage industrialization and innovation has left us importing goods that could easily be produced locally.
Another significant impediment to Nigeria’s development is the absence of a functional educational system. Our universities, which should be centers of excellence, are plagued by strikes, poor funding, and deteriorating facilities. Our youth, who represent the future of this nation, are being shortchanged. Without a solid education system, we cannot produce the skilled workforce needed to drive technological innovation and industrial growth. Education is the bedrock of any successful nation, and until we fix ours, development will remain a mirage.
Security remains a major issue in Nigeria today. From the northeast’s insurgency to the rampant kidnappings and banditry in the northwest and central regions, Nigeria’s internal stability is under siege. The inability of successive administrations to curtail these security challenges has left large swathes of the country in constant fear. Investors are wary of putting their money in such an unstable environment, further hampering economic growth. Without security, there can be no meaningful development.
We cannot talk about national development without addressing the issue of power generation. At 64, Nigeria still grapples with an epileptic power supply. While other nations are investing in renewable energy and technological advancements, Nigeria is stuck in a time loop of power outages. Industries are stifled, businesses shut down, and our economy continues to shrink, all because we cannot provide consistent electricity for our citizens. A nation without power is a nation without progress.
The question remains: What must be done to salvage the situation? First, there must be a concerted effort to reform our political system, ensuring that leadership is built on merit, not money politics. Leaders must be held accountable, and the electorate must demand more from those who seek public office. Until we change the way we choose our leaders, we will continue to get the same results.
Secondly, corruption must be tackled head-on. The institutions meant to fight corruption must be strengthened and made truly independent. The judiciary must also play its part by ensuring that corrupt individuals are not allowed to escape justice. There should be no sacred cows.
Furthermore, we need a national reorientation that places emphasis on integrity, hard work, and patriotism. Nigerians must begin to see themselves as part of a larger entity whose progress depends on individual and collective efforts. It’s high time we moved away from the ethnic and religious divides that have kept us stagnant.
Finally, Nigeria must embrace technological advancement and innovation. We live in a digital age where technology drives economies. If we do not position ourselves as leaders in technology, we will be left behind. The government must invest in infrastructure that supports innovation and entrepreneurship, especially for the youth.
In conclusion, 64 years after independence, Nigeria finds itself at a crossroads. The journey so far has been fraught with challenges, but all hope is not lost. If we can address the leadership deficit, tackle corruption, invest in education, and reorient our citizens, Nigeria’s future can still be bright. But time is running out—action must be taken now.