As Nigeria clocks 65 years of independence, major socio-political and civil society groups have delivered sharp but hopeful verdicts on the nation’s journey, warning that unfulfilled dreams and weak leadership continue to slow progress.
The Director-General of Strategic Planning and Implementation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide, Chiemelu Obizoba, acknowledged some improvement but argued that inconsistency in governance had crippled national development.
“Nigeria is moving forward, but we have not got to where we ought to have been. Successive governments do not prioritise continuity in policy implementation. This has been our major challenge,” Obizoba told reporters, while urging citizens to work with government to achieve the visions of the founding fathers.
Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, struck a more disappointed tone, declaring that the promises of independence had been “betrayed.” Yet he expressed optimism that Nigeria’s resources and resilient people could still secure its greatness if restructuring is embraced.
“Government is in order to ask everybody to work for a greater Nigeria. But politicians, especially, should show more patriotism. Many Nigerians already have their hands on the plough,” Ajayi said.
Civil society activist and Executive Director of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, argued that 65 years after independence, Nigeria is still trapped in tribal politics.
“What we need now is to move away from tribal politics and adopt best practices. Ethnic nationalities must learn to tolerate one another,” Adeniran stated. He also called for education reforms aligned with technological realities to empower graduates to create jobs.
Defending Nigeria’s sovereignty, Adeniran added: “We no longer need permission from the King of England before we act. If there are faults, they are homegrown. Nigeria is truly independent.”
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Mike Ozekhome, however, lamented that the country had underperformed compared to Asian nations that once lagged behind.
“We are still grappling with corruption, weak leadership, insecurity, cronyism, and intolerance. These are problems we ought to have overcome by now. Even socioeconomic rights in our Constitution are not enforceable, leaving citizens frustrated,” Ozekhome said.
