Nigeria’s Independence: Between Fiction and Reality -By Jabir T. Usman

The theme of this year’s Independence Day celebration is both captivating and thought-provoking: “All hands must be on deck for a greater nation.” Indeed, this phrase resonates deeply with the existential challenges confronting our beloved country, Nigeria. It reflects not only the urgency of our situation but also the pathway to genuine transformation.

In truth, the 2025 independence celebration should move beyond mere rhetoric. For far too long, Nigerians have become accustomed to hearing lofty phrases and slogans that never translate into reality. This time, both leaders and followers must take this theme as a guiding principle of daily life. We must embrace it, live it, and remain steadfast in it until our last breath, if we truly desire a Nigeria that works for us and for generations yet unborn.

Of course, if all hands must truly be on deck, then the first cancer to fight is corruption. Corruption is not just a menace; it is the monster eating deep into the soul of our nation. It weakens institutions, discourages merit, impoverishes the masses, and emboldens criminals. Without tackling corruption with sincerity and patriotism, Nigeria’s dream of progress will remain a fiction.

All hands must also be on deck to decisively confront insecurity in all its ugly forms. Banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, and insurgency have turned many parts of Nigeria into killing fields. Farmers are displaced, children are orphaned, and communities are deserted. Without peace and security, no nation can thrive. Patriotism and political will must be applied to put an end to these tragedies.

Furthermore, millions of children roam the streets without education, while their counterparts in other nations are being prepared for the future. This is a ticking time bomb. All hands must be on deck to ensure that these out-of-school children are brought back to classrooms, equipped with knowledge and skills that can liberate them from poverty and give Nigeria a prosperous future.

We must equally declare zero tolerance for bribery and dishonesty. Both givers and receivers of bribes are guilty of undermining the system. Until Nigerians collectively agree that corruption in all its forms must stop, we will continue to struggle with underdevelopment, no matter how many policies are announced.

Another pressing need is the promotion of peaceful coexistence among our diverse ethnic and religious groups. Nigeria is a plural society, and unity in diversity remains our greatest strength. All hands must be on deck to reject divisive rhetoric and embrace the spirit of tolerance, mutual respect, and inclusiveness. Only then can we build a nation where every citizen feels at home.

Our institutions also require urgent restructuring and strengthening. Weak institutions cannot deliver justice, fairness, or efficiency. All hands must be on deck to make our institutions functional, effective, and uncompromising. Without credible institutions, corruption and impunity will continue to thrive unchecked.

The economy equally demands attention. Nigeria, blessed with abundant resources, should not be a global symbol of poverty. All hands must be on deck to build a strong, resilient, and sustainable economy that prioritizes the welfare of the common man rather than enriching a few elites. Economic justice is the bedrock of national stability.

Education and health sectors must also be rebuilt with urgency. Nigeria cannot continue to lose billions annually to educational and medical tourism abroad while our own systems collapse at home. All hands must be on deck to revive our schools, equip our hospitals, and empower professionals to remain and serve their country with dignity.

Religious leaders, too, have a critical role to play. Unfortunately, some have allowed themselves to become tools in the hands of unpatriotic politicians, endorsing injustice and deception in exchange for personal favours. All hands must be on deck to ensure that religious institutions return to their noble roles of moral guidance, peace-building, and truth telling, rather than becoming accomplices in the exploitation of the masses.

No nation can survive under the weight of selfish leaders and credulous followers. Nigeria must urgently return to the drawing board. Leaders must introspect with sincerity of purpose, while citizens must embrace responsibility, sacrifice, and vigilance. Together, we must redefine what leadership and followership mean in the Nigerian context.

The gap between Nigeria’s potential and its reality is wide. Sixty-five years after independence, we still grapple with basic issues that many younger nations have long overcome. The Nigeria we dream of often feels like fiction because the Nigeria we live in is riddled with corruption, insecurity, division, and mismanagement. Yet, hope must not die.

Reality can replace fiction if we act with courage. Nigeria’s independence should be more than an annual gathering of parades and speeches; it should be a sober reflection on how far we have come and how much farther we must go. Independence must inspire responsibility, not complacency. At this juncture, i wish to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinibu for the directive that this year’s official government celebration of independence be cancelled.

Therefore, this year’s independence celebration should serve as a wake-up call to all Nigerians. It is not enough to wave flags and sing anthems. The true test of patriotism is commitment to nation-building, no matter how inconvenient, no matter how costly.

Let us rise above ethnic sentiments, religious bias, and selfish interests. Let us insist on accountability from our leaders and discipline among ourselves. Let us honour the sacrifices of past heroes by ensuring that their struggles were not in vain.

If all hands are truly on deck, leaders and followers alike, then Nigeria can move from fiction to reality, from rhetoric to progress, from hopelessness to greatness. The dream of a better Nigeria is not impossible. But it will only happen if we collectively decide that enough is enough.

©Jabir T. Usman
Writes from Sabon Gari Tudun Wada, Kaduna
jabson.usman@gmail.com