Lifestyle

NIGERIA AT 66: WE ARE CELEBRATING — BUT CAN WE ALSO BE HONEST?

Published

1 hour ago

October 2, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

66 YEARS AFTER INDEPENDENCE, SHOULD AGE ALONE BE A REASON TO CELEBRATE?

Nigeria has enormous natural resources, a huge population, talented young people and one of Africa’s largest economies.

Yet millions of Nigerians are still struggling with the basics.

💔 FOOD IS TOO EXPENSIVE.
The World Bank says Nigeria’s food prices have placed severe pressure on households, with poor families spending as much as 70% of their income on food.

💔 POVERTY REMAINS WIDESPREAD.
World Bank projections put the share of Nigerians living below the lower-middle-income poverty line at about 62% in 2026.

💔 ELECTRICITY REMAINS A MAJOR CHALLENGE.
World Bank data show electricity access at about 62.5% of the population in 2024.

💔 JOBS ARE NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE POPULATION.
About 3.5 million people enter Nigeria’s labour force every year, while the World Bank says weak job creation remains a major challenge.

💔 INSECURITY CONTINUES TO AFFECT COMMUNITIES.
Banditry, kidnapping, insurgency and other security problems remain documented challenges across parts of the country.

And here is the uncomfortable part:

Nigeria is not without progress.

The World Bank reports that economic growth has strengthened and inflation has fallen considerably from its earlier peak. But it also says that household incomes have not fully recovered and poverty remains high.

So the real question for Nigeria at 66 is not simply:

“WHAT HAVE WE ACHIEVED?”

It is also:

“HAS DEVELOPMENT REACHED THE ORDINARY NIGERIAN?”

A new road means little to a family that cannot afford food.

Economic growth means little to a young person who cannot find productive work.

A wealthy nation means little to a citizen who cannot reliably access electricity, healthcare or security.

🇳🇬 66 YEARS IS A LONG TIME.

Perhaps the most important Independence Day conversation is not about speeches, flags or celebrations.

It is about what Nigerians can actually see, afford and experience in their daily lives.

👇 WHAT DO YOU THINK NIGERIA SHOULD HAVE ACHIEVED BY 66?

Drop your honest opinion in the comments.