On October 1st, 2024, Nigeria marks 64 years as an independent nation. While the occasion traditionally calls for celebration, jubilation rings hollow amidst the reality of Nigeria’s state today. Sixty-four years after shaking off the shackles of colonial rule, Nigeria remains trapped in the clutches of a new, far more sinister form of colonization: the domination of its people by the very leaders entrusted with their freedom.
What was promised in 1960 was a vibrant, thriving nation—a land of prosperity and potential, where its citizens would bask in the dividends of democracy. Yet, six decades later, the dream has turned into a bitter nightmare. Economically, politically, and socially, Nigeria is a shadow of the greatness it once aspired to be. The promises of independence lie buried under the rubble of corruption, insecurity, and impunity.
Political Failures: The Same Chains in Different Hands
In 1960, Nigeria’s leaders pledged to uphold democratic ideals, fairness, and equity for all. Leaders like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo spoke of a new dawn for Nigeria. But today, we ask, where did that vision go? Since the first coup in 1966, Nigeria has seen an endless cycle of military dictatorships, rigged elections, and power-hungry politicians masquerading as democrats.
The same colonial tactics of divide and rule are still alive, but now orchestrated by Nigerians in power. From ethnic tensions exacerbated by politicians seeking to consolidate power to an electoral system where votes are bought like goods in a marketplace, the situation is dire. Take, for instance, the 2023 Presidential Election and the recent Edo State Governorship Election, where votes were bought, results were manipulated, and the will of the people was subverted for political gain.
Politicians are not just public servants; they have become monarchs, amassing wealth while the citizens they swore to serve languish in poverty. In place of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, we have a government of the elites, for the elites, and by the elites. Nigeria has traded British colonizers for native overlords who show no regard for democratic principles or human dignity.
Economic Collapse: A Nation in Poverty
Nigeria, blessed with abundant natural resources, remains a paradox—rich in wealth, yet devastatingly poor. The oil boom of the 1970s brought hope of prosperity, but decades of mismanagement, greed, and theft have left the country struggling to meet the most basic needs of its people.
With inflation rates soaring, the naira plummeting in value, and over 133 million Nigerians living below the poverty line, the country stands on the brink of economic disaster. In 2023, Nigeria had the largest population of poor people in the world, despite being Africa’s largest oil producer. The oil that should have brought economic relief has instead become a curse, with revenues flowing into the pockets of the corrupt few, while citizens fight for fuel at astronomical prices.
Insecurity has further worsened the economic outlook, with foreign investments fleeing and industries collapsing due to incessant attacks by Boko Haram, bandits, and militant groups. Rural farmers live in fear of kidnapping and violence, while urban dwellers confront the ever-looming threat of robbery, unemployment, and destitution.
Social Breakdown: A Fractured Society
Sixty-four years of independence should have seen Nigeria grow into a cohesive, united society. Instead, it has been marred by division—ethnic, religious, and class divides that seem to deepen with each passing year. Where there should be unity, there is only animosity. From the brutal massacre of unarmed protesters at Lekki Toll Gate in 2020 to the displacement of millions by insurgents in the Northeast, Nigerians have repeatedly watched their rights trampled upon by those meant to protect them.
Moreover, the education system lies in shambles. Nigeria, once boasting some of the best universities in Africa, now witnesses students locked out of school for months on end due to constant strikes. Healthcare is an abysmal joke, with leaders seeking treatment abroad while their citizens die in dilapidated hospitals. A life of dignity remains a distant dream for the average Nigerian, while social justice is nothing more than a distant aspiration.
Nigeria: Free in Name, Enslaved in Reality
While Nigeria may have won political independence from Britain, it is clear that true freedom remains a mirage. The so-called freedom fighters of yesterday have become the oppressors of today. Our “native colonialists” have outdone the British in every way—ruling not with the intent to build, but to loot, plunder, and subdue.
The Nigerian political class has hijacked the apparatus of state for personal enrichment, subjecting the masses to untold suffering. It is a heartbreaking irony that Nigeria, a nation built on the foundation of independence, is today enslaved by its own leaders.
A Call to Action: The Way Forward
Nigeria cannot continue down this path. Sixty-four years of failure is enough. It is time for the people to wake up, to reclaim the dream of independence that has been stolen from them. We cannot continue to live in a country where elections are rigged, where leaders are chosen not by merit but by money and manipulation, where the economy serves only the elites, and where social justice is a farce.
As Nigerians, we must demand accountability from our leaders. We must hold them to the promises they made—promises of equity, fairness, and development. The power to change Nigeria lies not in the hands of a few politicians but in the hands of the people. Every vote, every protest, every demand for justice is a step toward reclaiming the nation’s future.
It’s time to move beyond empty celebrations of Independence Day. This October 1st, let us mourn for the nation we could have been but still aren’t. Let us grieve for the lives lost to poverty, to violence, to injustice. And let us vow that by the time Nigeria turns 65, we will have taken tangible steps toward becoming the nation we deserve to be.
The fight for a better Nigeria did not end in 1960. In many ways, it is only just beginning.
