By Agbiloko Godwin Ojanyi
Sixty-five years after gaining independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960, Nigeria stands as Africa’s most populous nation and a symbol of untapped potential. With over 230 million people representing more than 250 ethnic groups, the country was once hailed as the “Giant of Africa,” poised to lead the continent into prosperity. Yet, as Nigeria marks this milestone in 2025, the celebration is tempered by profound questions about its nationhood. Independence brought sovereignty, but true nation-building, the forging of a unified identity, equitable governance, and shared prosperity, remains elusive. Central to this struggle is the legacy of colonial amalgamation in 1914, which merged diverse regions without regard for cultural or historical cohesion. Today, Nigeria grapples with deep-seated divisions, economic stagnation, and insecurity that threaten its very foundation. While progress has been made in democratic continuity and cultural influence, the challenges of nationhood at 65 underscore the urgent need for introspection and reform.The journey to this point has been marked by turbulence. Post-independence optimism quickly gave way to ethnic rivalries and political instability, culminating in the 1966 military coup and the devastating Biafran Civil War (1967-1970), which claimed millions of lives and deepened regional mistrust. Military rule dominated for nearly three decades, imposing centralized control that eroded federal principles and fostered corruption. The return to civilian rule in 1999 promised renewal, but successive administrations have struggled with the same issues: power struggles, nepotism, and resource mismanagement.
As one analysis notes, the nation’s heterogeneous makeup has led to crises in identity, participation, and legitimacy, with over-centralization disadvantaging component units in a plural society. This historical baggage continues to shape contemporary challenges, turning what should be a unified nation into a fragile federation.Among the most pressing obstacles to nationhood is ethnic and religious fragmentation. Nigeria’s diversity, once a strength, has become a fault line exploited for political gain. Ethnic politics reduces leadership to “turn-taking” among regions, sidelining merit and breeding mediocrity. The South-East feels politically marginalized, the Niger Delta resents environmental degradation from oil extraction, and the Middle Belt endures violence and neglect, and the North battles poverty despite prolonged leadership dominance. Separatist agitations, from Biafran revivalists to Yoruba nation advocates, reflect unhealed wounds from the civil war and perceived inequities. Religion exacerbates these divides, with Muslim-Christian conflicts and extremist groups like Boko Haram weaponizing faith for control. In 2025, Nigeria ranks sixth on the Global Terrorism Index, with insurgencies accounting for a significant portion of global terrorism deaths. This fragmentation undermines national cohesion, as citizens prioritize ethnic loyalties over a shared Nigerian identity.Corruption remains a corrosive force, eroding trust in institutions and stifling development.
Endemic in the petroleum sector, it diverts billions from public coffers, enriching elites while leaving the masses in poverty. A 2025 report highlights how corruption ranks among the top problems facing Nigerians, alongside the cost of living and insecurity. Leaders exploit the rentier economy, where oil wealth funds personal gain rather than infrastructure or services. This has perpetuated a cycle of weak governance, with foreign debt piling up and reserves depleted. The federal system’s flaws, including lopsided state creation and inability to conduct fair censuses, fuel resentment and calls for restructuring. As former leaders reflect, the nation must curb nepotism and ethnicity to avoid collapse, emphasizing accountable governance over dictatorial legacies.Economically, Nigeria’s challenges are stark. Once Africa’s fastest-growing economy, it now contends with recession, high inflation, and unemployment. GDP stands at $187.4 billion in 2024, paling against peers like South Korea, which surpassed Nigeria decades ago. Oil dependence, the “resource curse” has left the economy vulnerable to global price fluctuations, with moribund refineries and exploited subsidies draining resources. Poverty affects 54% of the population, with 75.5% in rural areas, per World Bank data. Youth unemployment hovers at 6.5%, driving mass emigration 3.6 million Nigerians migrated between 2022 and 2023. Infrastructure deficits compound this: 85 million lack grid electricity, the world’s largest deficit, with peak generation at a mere 5,500-6,000 MW compared to South Africa’s 70.8 GW. Education and healthcare falter, with over 18 million children out of school and dire poverty indicators increasing risks of radicalization.
Climate change adds pressure, with floods and erosion displacing communities from Kwara to Delta.Security threats further imperil nationhood. Insurgencies in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and kidnappings nationwide have escalated, with porous borders allowing arms and fighters to flow from neighbors like Chad and Niger. Inadequate manpower, one security officer per 600 citizens, leaves vast areas unprotected. Foreign interests, including arms sales and resource exploitation, benefit from the chaos, while poverty fuels recruitment into extremist groups. A lack of national cohesion worsens this, with weak coordination among agencies and corruption hindering responses. These issues not only claim lives but erode faith in the state, turning citizens into refugees in their own land.Despite these hurdles, Nigeria’s resilience shines through. The country has maintained democratic rule since 1999, with recent reforms under the Tinubu administration removing fuel subsidies, reforming taxes, and boosting infrastructure like the Lagos-Calabar Highway. Cultural exports, from Nollywood to Afrobeat, project global influence, and Nigerians excel abroad in tech, medicine, and sports. Initiatives like student loans and regional commissions foster inclusivity, while balanced appointments promote unity. The people’s ingenuity, evident in entrepreneurship and community support, offers hope amid adversity.Looking forward, Nigeria must confront its unfinished business.
True federalism through devolution of power, merit-based leadership, and equitable resource distribution are essential. Investing in education, healthcare, and security, while curbing corruption, can rebuild trust. Citizens must hold leaders accountable, fostering a civic identity beyond ethnicity. As one reflection puts it, progress bends but endures when people are prioritized over politics. At 65, Nigeria’s nationhood hangs in the balance, but with collective will, it can transform from a spectator in global affairs to a beacon of African strength.
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Peace greetings
