As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, citizens across the country have been reflecting on the nation’s long and eventful journey since it gained independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960, acknowledging that while some progress has been recorded in various sectors, the country is still grappling with numerous challenges that continue to weigh heavily on the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
The anniversary, which is being celebrated with low-key events in many parts of the country, has provided an opportunity for Nigerians from different walks of life to take stock of how far the country has come, where it is at the moment and where it ought to be, especially in comparison with other nations that gained independence around the same period.
Speaking with Uyo Infomedia in Uyo, an engineer, Mr. Ebenezer Ekpo and a data analyst, Mr. Iren Sampson, shared their perspectives on the state of the nation, noting that Nigeria has indeed recorded some development in areas such as telecommunications, education, entrepreneurship and infrastructure, but that a lot more still needs to be done to meet the aspirations of its growing population.
Engineer Iren, who has witnessed several decades of Nigeria’s post-independence history, said the country has made giant strides in producing highly skilled manpower and in expanding access to education, with many Nigerians excelling in various professional fields both at home and abroad, but lamented that the domestic environment has not been able to fully harness these talents for national development.
On his part, Iren a data analyst, said available statistics show that Nigeria has experienced growth in its Gross Domestic Product over the years and has become one of Africa’s largest economies, yet the impact of this growth has not translated into improved living standards for the majority of citizens, as poverty, inequality and unemployment remain widespread.
Both respondents identified economic hardship as one of the most pressing challenges facing Nigerians today, pointing out that the rising cost of living, high inflation, unstable exchange rate and dwindling purchasing power have made life increasingly difficult for families, especially those in the low and middle-income brackets.
They observed that many Nigerians are struggling to afford basic necessities such as food, housing, healthcare and education, as prices of goods and services continue to skyrocket, while wages and incomes have largely remained stagnant, thereby eroding the standard of living and pushing more people into poverty.
Insecurity was also highlighted as a major concern that has affected every part of the country, with incidents of banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, armed robbery, communal clashes and separatist agitations threatening lives, disrupting economic activities and creating fear among citizens who can no longer move freely or carry out their legitimate businesses without apprehension.
The respondents noted that insecurity has had a ripple effect on other sectors, particularly agriculture, as many farmers have abandoned their farmlands due to attacks by criminals, leading to reduced food production, food scarcity and further increase in food prices, which in turn worsens the economic hardship faced by the populace.
Unemployment, especially among the youth, was described as another critical challenge that has persisted over the years and has contributed to social vices, restiveness and the mass migration of young Nigerians to other countries in search of greener pastures, popularly referred to as the Japa syndrome.
They pointed out that despite the large number of graduates produced annually by Nigerian tertiary institutions, the labour market has not been able to absorb them due to limited industrial capacity, weak private sector growth and inadequate government support for entrepreneurship and innovation, leaving many young people idle and frustrated.
Infrastructure deficit was also identified as a major obstacle to national development, with respondents noting that poor road networks, epileptic power supply, inadequate healthcare facilities, dilapidated schools and insufficient water supply have continued to hamper economic growth and reduce the quality of life in both urban and rural areas.
However, despite these challenges, the speakers acknowledged that Nigeria has recorded some achievements since independence, including the expansion of its democratic space, growth in the creative industry, advancement in information and communication technology, and the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of its citizens who continue to thrive against all odds.
They called on the Federal Government and other tiers of government to place greater emphasis on policies and programmes that would directly improve the living conditions of citizens, create sustainable employment opportunities and provide an enabling environment for young people to contribute meaningfully to national development and innovation.
According to them, government must prioritise investments in education, healthcare, agriculture, technology and infrastructure, while also ensuring that social intervention programmes are transparent, inclusive and targeted at those who need them most, rather than being used as political tools.
The speakers also stressed the need for stronger institutions that can ensure accountability, rule of law and efficient service delivery, noting that without institutional reforms and good governance, no meaningful progress can be achieved, regardless of how well-intentioned government policies may be.
They further emphasised the importance of national unity and social cohesion, urging both leaders and citizens to rise above ethnic, religious and political differences and to work together towards building a stronger, more inclusive and prosperous nation where every citizen feels a sense of belonging and has equal opportunity to succeed.
According to them, building a better Nigeria requires shared responsibility, with leaders demonstrating integrity, vision and commitment to public good, while citizens also play their part by being law-abiding, participating actively in governance and holding leaders accountable for their actions and decisions.
As Nigeria celebrates 66 years of independence, they expressed optimism that with stronger institutions, improved governance, increased citizen participation and a renewed focus on youth development, the country can overcome its current challenges and lay a solid foundation for future generations to enjoy the dividends of independence.
The respondents concluded that while the journey so far has been marked by ups and downs, there is still hope for Nigeria to fulfill its great potential as the giant of Africa, provided that deliberate and sustained efforts are made by all stakeholders to address the lingering problems and to chart a new course towards sustainable development and shared prosperity.
