NIGERIA at 65: A TIME TO REFLECT ON“TRUE DEMOCRACY AND TOTAL FREEDOM FROM COLONIALISM.
BY Hon. LAWANI
Nigeria’s journey as an independent nation, spanning sixty-five years since October 1, 1960, is both remarkable and sobering. The nation, endowed with immense natural and human resources, has weathered political storms, economic shifts, military dictatorships, democratic experiments, and social upheavals. Yet, as the green-white-green flag flies at sixty-five, the question that echoes in the hearts of many is simple yet profound: Have we truly attained democracy and freedom from colonialism, or are we still entangled in invisible chains?
Anniversaries are more than ceremonial markers; they are mirrors. They compel us to pause, to assess where we came from, where we are, and where we are going. At 65, Nigeria cannot afford self-deception. The real celebration is not in parades or fireworks, but in sincere reflection. For while the Union Jack was lowered in 1960, the spirit of colonialism may yet linger, not in the form of foreign masters with guns and ships, but in internal systems of oppression, corruption, dependency, and compromised sovereignty.
The Illusion Of True Independence
Political independence came in 1960, but did freedom truly follow? Colonialism was not merely a political system; it was a mindset, an economic structure, and a cultural imposition. Sixty-five years later, Nigeria still imports basic goods it could produce, depends on foreign currencies to stabilize its economy, and relies heavily on international institutions for survival.
We must ask: Is a nation truly free when its economic lifeline is tied to decisions made in Washington, London, or Beijing? Independence without economic and intellectual sovereignty is little more than a flag change. True freedom must mean the ability to feed ourselves, educate our citizens with dignity, and build systems that reflect our values rather than copy-and-paste foreign templates.
Democracy or Demo-Crazy?
Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 was hailed as a rebirth. Yet, twenty-six years later, many Nigerians still struggle to believe in democracy as practiced within our borders. Democracy is meant to be “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” But in reality, it often looks like government of the elite, by the elite, and for the elite.
At 65, it is time to ask: Have we truly experienced democracy, or have we simply traded military boots for agbada politics? Elections marred by vote-buying, judicial manipulations, and violence cannot be the democracy that freedom fighters envisioned. When citizens cannot freely express dissent without fear, when voices of the youth are suppressed, and when politics becomes a tool of personal enrichment rather than service, democracy becomes a shell—empty of its substance.
The Chains We Wear Ourselves
Perhaps the most disturbing reality is that some chains of colonialism are no longer forced on us by outsiders but are willingly embraced by our leaders and sometimes even by the people. We see it in:
• Corruption: Leaders who loot national wealth and stash it abroad are modern colonial agents—ensuring Nigeria remains perpetually dependent.
• Cultural Inferiority: When we value foreign goods, accents, and ideas above our own, we continue the colonial project of undermining African identity.
• Youth Disempowerment: With over 60% of the population under 30, Nigeria’s greatest resource is its youth. Yet unemployment, poor education, and exclusion from governance stifle this potential. A nation that silences its youth has already colonized its own future.
These self-inflicted chains are often heavier than those imposed by foreigners. True liberation begins not by blaming colonial masters of the past but by confronting the internal enemies of progress today.
Reimagining Freedom at 65
Nigeria at 65 must confront a hard truth: freedom and democracy are not gifts; they are responsibilities. They cannot be inherited merely because a flag was hoisted in 1960. They must be nurtured, fought for, and protected daily.
What, then, does true democracy and total freedom look like?
• It looks like leaders who are servants, not emperors.
• It looks like institutions stronger than individuals, where the judiciary, legislature, and press are truly independent.
• It looks like economic sovereignty, where Nigeria feeds itself, powers itself, and trades on its own terms.
• It looks like cultural confidence, where we celebrate our languages, values, and innovations instead of constantly seeking validation abroad.
• It looks like empowered citizens, especially women and youth, taking their rightful place in shaping the nation’s destiny.
The Way Forward
Reflection without action is self-deception. As Nigeria turns 65, the following must be prioritized:
1. Reform Governance: Electoral integrity, accountability, and transparency must be non-negotiable.
2. Invest in Human Capital: Education and healthcare must become the true oil wells of Nigeria.
3. Restructure the Economy: From oil dependency to agriculture, technology, and manufacturing.
4. Reclaim Cultural Identity: A nation that despises its culture despises itself.
5. Awaken Civic Responsibility: Citizens must move from passive spectators to active participants in governance. True democracy thrives only when people demand accountability.
Beyond Ceremonies
At 65, Nigeria stands at a crossroads. We can either continue to celebrate independence as a yearly ritual of parades and speeches, or we can treat it as a sacred reminder to measure how far we’ve come and how far we must go.
True democracy and total freedom from colonialism cannot be handed down by politicians or imposed by foreign powers. They must be built brick by brick, with courage, sacrifice, and a collective will.
Nigeria is not too young to succeed, neither is she too old to change. Sixty-five years is long enough to grow from infancy to maturity. The question is: will we rise to the challenge of becoming a truly free and democratic nation, or will we continue to live in the shadows of unfulfilled potential?
The answer lies not in the colonial past but in the choices we make today.
GOD BLESS NIGERIA HAPPY 65TH INDEPENDENCE NIGERIA
Hon. Martins N. LAWANI
Charted Human Resource Consultant (CHRC)
Former SSA to Governor Akeredolu
Ondo State, Nigeria