By John Dike, Osogbo
Chairman of Osun Civil Societies Coalition, Dr. Waheed Lawal, has described Nigeria’s 66 years of independence as a journey marked by “deep disappointment and stubborn hope,” saying the country has deviated significantly from the vision and expectations of its founding generation.
He spoke with our correspondent as Nigerians marked the 66th anniversary of the country’s independence, noting the optimism that greeted the attainment of independence in 1960 was rooted in the belief that Nigeria would emerge as a leading African nation, powered by its vast natural resources, human capital, intellectual capacity and cultural diversity.
He, however, lamented that decades of political instability, excessive centralisation and corruption had weakened the country’s productive base and prevented many of the aspirations of the independence generation from being fully realised.
According to him, while Nigeria has fallen short of some of the expectations of its founding fathers, the resilience and creativity of Nigerians remain a source of hope for the country’s future.
Reflecting on October 1, 1960, Lawal said the memories of independence were dominated by a strong feeling of collective pride and optimism.
“Looking back at October 1, 1960, what stands out most for me is the sense of pride, unity and optimism that filled the air. We truly believed we were witnessing the birth of a nation destined to lead Africa and command global respect.
“We had the resources, the intellectual strength, the culture and the human capacity. There was a genuine belief that Nigeria could become an example to other African countries and a respected voice in the international community.
“But when I compare that dream with where we are today, I cannot hide my disappointment. We have not come close to the Nigeria that many of us imagined at independence.
“Decades of political instability, excessive centralisation of power and corruption have weakened our productive capacity and eroded many of the regional economic structures that once sustained development.”
Despite his concerns, the civil society leader said he remained hopeful because of the resilience and achievements of Nigerians at home and abroad.
“For me, the Nigerian spirit is still alive. You see Nigerians excelling in technology, business, medicine, academia, entertainment, sports and the creative industries across the world.
“That tells me that the problem is not a lack of ability. Nigerians have the talent and the intelligence. The challenge is creating a system that allows those talents to flourish and contributes fully to national development.”
Lawal said Nigeria could draw important lessons from the early years of independence, particularly in the areas of economic production, education, public administration and civic responsibility.
He noted that although the political leaders of the First Republic had their differences and engaged in fierce political competition, they also developed competing visions for economic and social development.
“The leaders of that generation were not perfect, and we should not romanticise the past. But there was a strong understanding that leadership was about building something that would outlive the individual.
“Different regions were developing their productive strengths. Cocoa, groundnuts, palm produce and other agricultural commodities were major sources of revenue. There was also serious attention to education and the development of human capital.
“We need to recover that sense of purpose. Politics should not simply be about who gets into office. It should be about what that office can achieve for the people.”
He said one of the major changes Nigerians must demand is a stronger culture of merit, accountability and institutional responsibility in public life.
“Public service should be treated as a trust. When someone is given a public position, the question should be: what can this person contribute to the development of society?
“We need to restore merit and discipline. A society cannot make sustainable progress when competence is constantly sacrificed for political connections, patronage or personal interests.”
On the growing number of young Nigerians considering migration because of unemployment and economic hardship, Lawal urged youths to concentrate on acquiring skills that could give them opportunities anywhere in the world.
“I understand why many young Nigerians are thinking about leaving. The economic conditions are difficult, and everyone wants a better life.
“But my advice to young people is that wherever you find yourself, make sure you are building yourself. Acquire skills that can solve problems. Learn technology, develop vocational skills, understand business and strengthen your critical-thinking ability.
“Migration is a personal decision. There is nothing wrong with seeking opportunities elsewhere, but your greatest asset is the knowledge and expertise you carry with you.”
He also called for greater government investment in infrastructure, security, electricity and access to affordable credit, saying these were necessary to create an environment in which young Nigerians and small businesses could thrive.
“If we want young people to remain hopeful, government must create an economy where hard work can actually produce results.
“We need reliable electricity, better infrastructure, security and access to affordable credit for people who want to establish businesses. We must also create an environment where talent, competence and hard work are rewarded.
“When a young person works hard but discovers that connections are more important than competence, that person becomes discouraged. That is dangerous for any society.”
As Nigeria looks towards its 70th independence anniversary, Lawal said citizens also have an important responsibility to play in determining the direction of the country.
He urged Nigerians to move beyond merely criticising government and become more actively involved in democratic processes.
“If there is one thing I would ask Nigerians to change before the 70th anniversary, it is that we must move from being passive spectators to active owners of our democracy.
“Government is not something that exists somewhere far away from us. Government is about us. The people have the right and responsibility to demand accountability from those elected or appointed to serve them.
“We should reject vote-buying and the commercialisation of elections. We should ask questions not only during elections but throughout the period our leaders are in office.
“Citizens must also learn to work together across ethnic, religious and political lines when it comes to issues that affect our common economic and social interests.”
Lawal warned that division could continue to undermine national development if Nigerians allowed politicians to exploit ethnic or religious differences for political advantage.
“Our diversity should be a strength, not a weapon against ourselves. We may come from different ethnic groups and practise different religions, but we all need electricity, security, good roads, quality education, jobs and a functioning economy.
“That is the common ground on which Nigerians should build.”
He said the 66th anniversary should therefore not only be a moment for celebration but also an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect honestly on the distance between the dreams of 1960 and the realities of the present.
“We should celebrate Nigeria because the country belongs to all of us, but celebration must come with reflection.
“We must ask ourselves: what kind of country are we building for the next generation? What institutions are we leaving behind? What opportunities will our children have?
“I remain disappointed that we have not achieved everything we could have achieved, but I have not lost hope. Nigeria still has enormous human and material resources.
“If we can rebuild our institutions, strengthen accountability, reward competence and create opportunities for our young people, there is still a great deal we can achieve.
“The Nigeria we hoped for in 1960 may not have arrived yet, but the possibility of building that Nigeria has not disappeared.”
