Nigeria at 59, what next?

Nigeria marked its 59th independence anniversary last Tuesday, October 1, 2019. Daily Trust sampled the opinion of some Nigerians on the state of the nation after all these years and what they think is the next step for the giant of Africa.

Akintobi Funlola, 54, Teacher, Ibadan,

What is next? I truly don’t know. May God save us all! It is really unfortunate that this is the state we are in at 59. When we were growing up and Nigeria was younger, things were even better. There was better security back then; you could go out at anytime. Electricity was better, light was much more constant. Naira was also stronger. I was earning around N300 then and it was enough but now the story is different. First, the government has to turn the education system around. It is our only way out of this mess. Workers are being owed salary often. Everything is just terrible. I repeat, may God save us all.

Auwal Rabiu, 28, Banker, Jos

We hope to see more in terms of curbing security challenges still bedevilling the country, economic development and welfare of the citizens.The government should still prioritize/focus on the country’s unity as united we stand, divided we fall.
Also, Nigeria should focus on technological developments – socially, politically and economically, to ease the lives of its citizens.

Odeyemi Stella, 25, Nurse, Osun State

There is nothing next. I am tired and I can no longer hope in vain. I want to leave; I hope my family leaves too. There is no hope for Nigeria as it is. I hope we get out of here alive. I used to be one of those people that didn’t believe in going abroad to make it, but right now, I want that visa. It’s not even about the money; I want a system that works; where I pay my tax and I know this guarantees me good health, transport, electricity and other benefits. The middle class doesn’t truly exist in Nigeria. Like I always say, a lot of Nigerians that think they are okay are just one terminal illness away from poverty. I’m just disappointed in Nigeria; worried and scared at times. I don’t know where we are going.

Umar Ahmad Abubakar, 32, Broadcast Journalist, Gombe

As the country marked its 59th independence anniversary, citizens would continue to count on promises of improved economy, security, healthcare delivery etc made by the present and past leaders.
If there is any hope for Nigerians in the next 365 days when another independence anniversary would be observed, it should be the fulfilment of promise to improve their living condition.
Despite all odds, Nigerians hope to celebrate future anniversaries of the country as one indivisible entity.
The country must reroute its bearing for Nigerians to celebrate the 60th independence anniversary with gains to show as an independent nation.

Biyi Akintobi, 70, Retired Civil servant, Oyo

With the way everything is going, I don’t think there is any hope for Nigeria. It is a sad thing to say but it is the truth. Saying something else will be living in denial. The only way there will be hope for Nigeria is if things change and we get better leaders. So, what is next for Nigeria is a revolution; a revolution by us, the citizens, where we say no to bad governance. Everything has degenerated so much with the kind of leaders we have had in the past and still have. We need visionary leaders right now who can take things back to how they used to be at the very least because things used to be better. For instance, when I was in the University of Ife then, we had free laundry, accommodation, feeding and what not. What federal institution can boast of that today?

Osaji Adaeze, 22, Writer, Anambra

A change in cabinet and government, that’s what is next if we are to be better off before our 60thanniversary. We are being ruled by the same set of people over and over again. Old jars don’t bring forth new wines. I want a Nigeria where our opinion genuinely counts. A Nigeria that is free from external influence and other forms of godfatherism. A country where youths have a place in governance. A Nigeria with 50-50 gender representation at all levels; in politics, in other nongovernmental parastatals. A Nigeria where oil isn’t the mainstay. I mean there is agriculture, there are other things to fall back on. It also starts with us seeing each other as humans first. Seeing ourselves as humans cuts down those biases that religion and culture brings. We choose a leader because we know what he can deliver not because we need the person to be from your hometown to secure a slot for your community. If we have to get recolonized, to be very honest, I will buy into it.
back on. It also starts with us seeing each other as humans first. Seeing ourselves as humans cuts down those biases that religion and culture brings. We choose a leader because we know what he can deliver not because we need the person to be from your hometown to secure a slot for your community. If we have to get recolonized, to be very honest, I will buy into it.

Ayuba Ayinde, 26, Accountant, Abuja

As long as our sovereignty as a nation is safe from external pressures, I believe hope still lies ahead, not in what our leaders present to us but in what we, as citizens, have to offer beyond the false reliance on government. Nigeria, as old as it is, still crawls like a child. With the abundance of resources in our country yet there’s nothing to show for it.
The system isn’t changing at all. Nigeria is a country where the youth are too young to rule and the aged not too old to lead. The greatest gift we can give Nigeria at 59 is continuous learning and developmental research, which I believe will play a role in liberating us from the shackles of this unmoored governance.

Ahmed Musa, 36, Health Worker, Gombe

We need to upgrade the quality of education from primary to tertiary level. In terms of infrastructural development, the roads that link states should be upgraded to reduce the high rate of accidents and fatalities. The federal government should seriously look into the issue of electricity supply like what is obtainable in developed countries. Then on the issue of Boko Haram, the federal government should borrow a leaf from Zamfara on its technique in handling insecurity in order to stop the resurgence of Boko haram in the north east states.

Tijani Funmilayo, 22, Digital strategist, Lagos

As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing “next”, Nigeria is actively retrogressing. Things are worse off than they were 2, 3 years ago; I think that’s what makes me so disillusioned with this country. Unemployment is higher, so is poverty rate, food is costly, salary is low. The government doesn’t care and the citizens don’t too. The situation in Hong Kong makes me realize how a populace hungry for change fights for that change, but in Nigeria see how a-two day’s protest for Sowore fizzled out. And on that note, arbitrary arrest and intimidation is worse off than in Johnathan’s time.
Everything in Nigeria is designed to hamper progress – poor environment, electricity problem, increase in vat, increase in tax, closed border yet income remains the same or even lower.That’s why the middle class are leaving in droves; they know the job they might get over there might not be up to par, but the system works and that combined with even the least pay is often enough.