‘ERRATICALITY‘ with Da-Silva Johnson
Nigeria at 65: Where Were We, Where Are We, and Where Are Leaders Taking the People?
At sixty-five, Nigeria is not a child and no longer a teenager. We are a nation old enough to have learnt from our mistakes, matured from our struggles, and charted a clear course for greatness. Yet here we stand, still asking the same hard questions: Where were we? Where are we? And where exactly are our leaders taking the people who follow them?
Where Were We?
Nigeria’s journey began with promise. At independence in 1960, the nation was blessed with fertile lands, rich minerals, and vibrant people. Agriculture was our backbone, industries were budding, and our universities ranked among the best in Africa.
The early turbulence of coups and civil war did not extinguish optimism. We were still the “Giant of Africa” — large in population, rich in culture, and filled with potential.
Then came the oil boom of the 1970s and 1980s. We had wealth in abundance, but instead of investment in infrastructure, technology, and education, the boom fueled corruption, waste, and dependency. We abandoned farms for crude oil dollars. We built mansions but neglected institutions.
Where Are We Now?
Sixty-five years later, the story is sobering. The economy is fragile, inflation bites deep, and millions of Nigerians survive on less than the bare minimum.
Education: Once a source of pride, our schools struggle with dilapidated structures, underpaid teachers, and poor outcomes. Parents who can afford it flee to private schools or foreign universities.
Healthcare: Our hospitals are underfunded, forcing even leaders to seek medical care abroad.
Youth & Employment: A generation brimming with energy and creativity is trapped in unemployment, leading to japa — the mass migration of skilled Nigerians abroad.
Governance: Citizens no longer trust political promises. The gap between rulers and the ruled widens daily.
And yet, the Nigerian spirit remains unbroken. Our people are resilient, resourceful, and ever hopeful. In music, technology, and business, Nigerians continue to shine globally, proving that the problem is not the people but the system that governs them.
Where Are Leaders Taking the Followers?
This is the question that should trouble every citizen. Leaders continue to declare visions and launch agendas, but without sincerity and accountability. Policies are drafted, but implementation is selective and often self-serving.
The danger is clear: when leaders drive in one direction and the people are dragged reluctantly, the bond of trust weakens. Followers may eventually stop following, not out of rebellion but out of despair.
A nation cannot survive on leadership that is divorced from the needs of its people.
The Crossroad at 65
Nigeria is at a crossroad. We cannot keep marking time in the same cycle of wasted opportunities. At this stage of our existence, we should be talking about industrial revolution, digital transformation, quality education, food sufficiency, and continental leadership. Instead, we are still grappling with basic survival questions: food, fuel, electricity, security, and jobs.
The leaders must realign their compass. Leadership is not about holding power but about serving the people with vision and sacrifice. The followers must also awaken. Silence and endurance without demand for accountability only embolden bad governance.
Closing Thought
Nigeria at 65 is like a giant with strong bones but weak discipline. The capacity to stand tall is there, but the will to do so has been lacking. If our leaders will not redirect the journey, then the followers must insist on a new destination.
Nigeria at 65 is a mirror. The leaders may hold the steering, but the people must determine the road through patriotism, character and demand for accountability.