On October 1, 1960, Nigeria became an independent nation when the Union Jack, the flag of the United Kingdom that colonised Nigeria, was lowered and the Green-White-Green, the flag of the new independent country, Nigeria was hoisted.
On October 1, 2025, the country celebrated 65years of independence.
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In this report, some Nigerians commented on the journey so far as a nation, and expressed hope that it can become a great country if credible leadership is enthroned.
Visionless, corrupt leaders have run Nigeria aground – Chief Festus Ogwuche, lawyer; Port Harcourt
Nigeria has experienced whole vicissitudes, many of which are marked with heavy turbulence and devastation. Many thought it would cave at each point, but it’s a marvel that it still stands, though thoroughly weakened and almost destroyed.
Lord Lugard did not mince words in expressing a sense of fulfillment in the creation of Nigeria.
In his book, ‘The Dual Mandate’, he re-echoed what he recommended to the Queen of England and Westminster, as the imperatives for amalgamation.
He sought for a strong and virile country that embodied all the traits of power and virility to emerge out of the continent of Africa.
Unfortunately, all the dreams and expectations in the inherent potential of the country are totally drowned in the murky waters of bad, visionless and corrupt leadership.
The country is shorn of all those prospects for its own greatness by the ineluctable fate of misfortunes and evil planted by the same individuals that run it and who have taken even more desperate steps in modern times to drag it to the cul de sac and run it aground.
We must heal our wounds – Obinna Ebogidi, peace advocate; Port Harcourt
I believe our journey has been both a story of trials and triumphs. We have faced political and economic challenges that tested our unity. Yet, our resilience as a people continues to shine through.
From Rivers State to every corner of the federation, our diversity remains our strength and our shared hope for a greater nation keeps us moving forward.
For me, as a convener of the Rivers Peace Initiative, this anniversary is another reminder that our country’s future will not be built on conflict or division, but on peace, justice, and inclusion. We must heal our wounds, empower our youths, and strengthen institutions so that governance delivers meaningfully to our people. If we all play our part, Nigeria’s next 65 years can be a story of peace-driven progress and prosperity.
We must push for reforms that strengthen good governance – David Salami, lecturer, UNIBEN; Benin
We must push for reforms that strengthen our democratic institutions. The dreams of our founding fathers for a nation truly independent, prosperous, and united, have often felt like a distant echo against the backdrop of current realities, pervasive economic hardship, escalating insecurity across various regions, and a palpable erosion of public trust in institutions.
However, we do not have to succumb to cynicism, but instead redouble our efforts to organise, educate, and relentlessly demand better leadership from our leaders.
We must push for reforms that strengthen our democratic institutions, ensure justice, and create an enabling environment where hard work is rewarded and opportunities are accessible to all, not just a privileged few. My hope is for a Nigeria where good governance isn’t just a slogan, but a lived reality, and where every citizen can truly thrive and contribute to the greatness we are capable of achieving.
Leadership has been missing in Nigeria – Tony Abolo, veteran journalist; Benin
It’s time to begin to re-examine and appreciate what God has also blessed us with.
There’s something that has been missing, which we’ve been looking for in the last 65 years. And that’s leadership. Leadership is a concept.
See the way China took off in 1975. Look at where they are. Look at where Rwanda is today, even after their civil war. Nigeria started in 1960, and we’re still in the bush. wLet us look at our electoral reform. Like Datti Ahmed was saying not too long ago in an interview that, once the electoral process is wrong, and you choose the wrong person, security, development, hopes, and all of that are hinged on that.
And that’s what we have been wrongly doing in the last 65 years.
Look at how that beautiful young girl, 29-year old Arise Television presenter was killed.
It’s all part of what has been happening. What leads to people killing others? Look at the two young female lawyers coming back from Abuja after they were called to the bar, were abducted. Now their abductors are asking for N20 million ransom. Their families are in anguish all because of bad leadership.
It’s time to turn around. Those of us who are alive should look forward; hoping that something will emerge that will produce that leadership that can lead us out of this mess of 65 years.
It’s time to come together to build Nigeria that belongs to all citizens – Rev. Peters Ichull, foreign affairs analyst; Abuja
It’s disheartening to acknowledge that the progress we have made is being undermined by corruption, injustice, and population growth. These challenges have hindered our ability to achieve true prosperity for all.
The wealth disparity in our country is staggering, with the top one per cent owning over 25 per cent of the nation’s wealth, while the bottom 50 per cent control just 4.7 per cent.
This scandalous gap is a moral and social crisis that demands immediate attention.
The statistics is alarming: Over 133 million Nigerians face hunger, and women and girls disproportionately bear the brunt of economic disparity. To bridge this gap, we need to adopt progressive tax reforms targeting billionaires and millionaires, eliminate tax havens, and invest in public services like healthcare, education, and agriculture.
By prioritising inclusive policies and ensuring that the wealthy contribute their fair share, we can work towards a more equitable society where everyone has access to opportunities and resources. It’s time for us to come together to build a Nigeria that truly belongs to all its citizens.
Nigeria’s future lies in harnessing its human capital – Dr Leo-Angelo Viashima, DG Bureau for International Corporation and Development; Makurdi
Nigeria at 65 is a story of resilience, hope, and progress against all odds. From independence in 1960 to today, our nation has weathered challenges – political transitions, economic turbulence, insecurity, and yet it continues to stand tall as the giant of Africa.
Each phase of our journey has been marked by lessons that remind us of the strength of unity in diversity and the boundless potential of our people.
As a proud son of Benue, and director general of the Bureau for International Cooperation and Development, I believe Nigeria’s future lies in harnessing its human capital, deepening good governance, and fostering sustainable partnerships.
For Benue, this moment is an invitation to align with the nation’s aspirations by strengthening our agricultural backbone, attracting international investment, and driving development that uplifts every community. Our collective destiny remains bright if we choose the path of resilience, innovation, and shared responsibility.
All is not well with the country – Emmanuel Ugwuoke, businessman; Makurdi.
The journey so far is scary in the sense that people are no longer safe wherever you are in Nigeria. In our very eyes, things are getting worse every day; all is not well with Nigeria, as it celebrates her 65th birthday.
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