As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence anniversary, prominent voices across law, politics, and civil society have offered mixed reflections, acknowledging the country’s resilience and progress while lamenting unfulfilled dreams, missed opportunities, and the slow pace of development.
Those who spoke with the Press include: Ohaneze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide, Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Mike Ozekhome and the Executive Director of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership and a rights activist, Debo Adeniran.
Expressing his view on the nation’s journey at 65, the Director-General of Strategic Planning and Implementation of the apex Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide, Chiemelu Obizoba, said although Nigeria has made some progress, the pace of growth remains far from encouraging.
He attributed the country’s slow progress to the lack of continuity in the implementation of government policies by successive governments.
“Nigeria is moving forward, but we have not got to where we ought to have been. We are growing gradually, the founding fathers’ visions have not been fully achieved, because we have huddles in terms of policy somersault and government inconsistency.
“Successive governments do not prioritise continuity in the implementation of government policies; this is our major challenge. But fortunately, this government is picking up some of the problems of the previous government and also making amendments to where its needs to adjust, it has given us some kind of light at the end of the tunnel.
He called on Nigerians to work with the government to achieve the visions of the founding fathers of the country.
“Governance is not just about those who are elected or appointed to offices; we must continue to work together with the leaders to ensure that the visions of our founding fathers are achieved. We have not got where we ought to have been, but we are moving forward, but the pace is not encouraging.
“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 noted.
On its part, Afenifere lamented that the dreams of Nigeria’s founding fathers had been betrayed but maintained that the country’s greatness was still within reach.
The group, through its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, expressed optimism that Nigeria’s enormous resources, coupled with the resilience of its people, would ensure the nation’s eventual greatness.
Afenifere also urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to pursue restructuring, which he described as the most feasible way to actualise parts of the founding vision.
“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,” he said.
From the civil society front, the Executive Director of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, lamented that 65 years after independence, Nigeria still grapples with politics driven by sectionalism and tribalism.
“What we need now is to move away from tribal politics and adopt best practices. Ethnic nationalities must learn to tolerate one another,” he argued.
Adeniran also urged Nigeria to embrace education reforms in line with technological realities, saying graduates must be trained to create jobs rather than depend on elusive white-collar opportunities.
He defended Nigeria’s independence, insisting that, despite setbacks, the nation has carved out its own path.
“We no longer need permission from the King of England before we act. If there are faults, they are homegrown. Nigeria is truly independent. Our citizens excel abroad, and many MDAs today are headed by women. We should not belittle our achievements,” Adeniran said.
For Prof. Mike Ozekhome SAN, Nigeria has underperformed relative to its vast human and natural resources. He drew comparisons with the Asian Tigers, who were once behind Nigeria but have since surpassed it in development.
“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 lamented.
