Celebrating 63 Years of Nigeria’s Independence: Achievements & Challenges
Opinions vary on Nigeria’s development over the past 63 years since independence. This piece provides an evidence-based overview of its achievements, challenges, and prospects.
Prelude
After more than 100 years of British colonial rule, Nigeria attained its hard-fought independence on October 1, 1960. On that particular day, the British Union Jack was lowered. The green-white-green flag of Nigeria was raised. This act signified the end of the colonial era and the birth of a new nation. A new constitution was put into effect. Nigeria adopted a federal system of government. The date October 1, 1960, signifies not only political liberation but also diplomatic independence as well. Nigeria established diplomatic relations and joined international organisations such as the Commonwealth of Nations, the African Union (AU) — formerly the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), and the United Nations (UN). On the economic front, Nigeria seized control of its enormous resources and devised autonomous economic policies. The Nigerians’ enthusiasm, optimism, and vigour on the first Independence Day were unparalleled. However, a great deal has occurred in the past 63 years. While some Nigerians believe that significant progress has been made in a number of developmental sectors, others believe that the country has not met the objectives set forth by its Founding Fathers. Some even claim that Nigeria was more developed and inclusive in the 1960s than it is today, casting doubt on the significance of the 63rd anniversary celebration. In this piece, I take a step back to provide a balanced, evidence-based overview of Nigeria’s accomplishments, challenges, and prospects.
Nigeria’s Achievements
Since 1960, Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa and the sixth most populous country in the world, has made significant progress in a variety of sectors. First, at home and in the diaspora, Nigerians represent the nation’s greatest accomplishment. Nigerians’ resilience, determination, hard work, entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and innate sense of hospitality and warmth continue to demonstrate their ability to thrive in the midst of adversity. Whether navigating socioeconomic challenges in Nigeria or adapting to new environments abroad, Nigerians are capable of adapting to and overcoming obstacles. The optimism, possibility mindset, and “e go better” mentality of the Nigerian people are unparalleled.
Second, Nigeria’s transition from military rule to democracy in 1999 is another pivotal achievement. Even though Nigeria’s democratic journey has been turbulent, it has endured. Since the country’s transition to democracy in 1999, Nigeria has held seven general elections. The number of political parties has increased from three in 1999 to nineteen in 2023. Despite the fact that the presidential election held in February 2023 was marred by irregularities, voter fraud, and the lowest voter turnout since 1999, these contentious results did not result in widespread violence or mass killing. Instead, the two leading challengers, Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in court over the election results. The difficulties surrounding the 2023 elections and the ongoing resolution and consultations by the public and political leaders demonstrate a shared conviction that democracy is “the only game in town.”
Regarding economic development, Nigeria has maintained its status as Africa’s largest economy for the fifth year running. According to a recent World Bank report, Nigeria’s nominal GDP in 2022 was $477.4 billion, or 17.4% of the continent’s economy of $2.7 trillion. Based on a revised methodology, Nigeria’s unemployment rate fell from 5.3% in 2022 to 4.1% in 2023. Even though challenges persist, enrolment rates in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions have increased relatively. Similarly, whether at Oxford University, Leiden University, Harvard University, University of Texas or Florida International University, Nigerian students and academics have been recognized for their scholarly and teaching excellence.
In the entertainment industry, Nollywood is the second-largest film industry in the world by output and plays a crucial role in promoting African culture abroad. Afrobeat and mainstream music from Nigeria have also gained international recognition, with artists such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, Rema, and Asake receiving international awards. In the fintech and start-up industry, Nigeria, and particularly Lagos, stands out as the continent’s foremost start-up hub. Companies such as Flutterwave, Andela, and OPay have placed Nigeria at the vanguard of Africa’s unicorn landscape.
Furthermore, notable Nigerians hold leadership positions in prestigious international organizations. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation since March 2021. Mr. Akinwumi Adesina is currently serving his second tenure as the African Development Bank’s president. Ms. Amina Mohammed is both the United Nations’ Deputy Secretary-General and the Chair of the Sustainable Development Group. Taken together, Nigeria’s 63 years of independence are worthy of commemoration.
Nigeria’s Challenges
Despite substantial progress since its independence, Nigeria continues to confront a variety of enduring challenges. The eight years from 2015 to 2023 have been especially challenging for Nigerians. During this period, Nigeria experienced two economic recessions, which resulted in a 1.1% average GDP growth rate. Since 2015, the per capita income has decreased by more than 40%. According to World Bank data, while Nigeria remains Africa’s economic powerhouse in terms of GDP, more than 40% of Nigerians (approximately 83 million people) live on less than $1.90 per day. This exemplifies what economists refer to as “economic growth without development.”
Security-wise, Nigeria faces a variety of threats. In the Northeast, Boko Haram poses significant challenges. Since 2015, organised crime syndicates and ubiquitous kidnappings have plagued the Northwest. Simultaneously, conflicts between farmers and herders have primarily affected the Middle Belt and parts of the Northwest. In the southeast, tensions have increased between the nation’s security forces and the separatist Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). While the intensity of the insurgency in the Niger Delta has diminished, new reports indicate that the region remains unstable. In addition, the Southwest is experiencing a hostage crisis in its forests, which has a negative impact on local agricultural practices. This pervasive insecurity has resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of families and the loss of countless lives. The most recent Global Peace Index positions Nigeria 144th out of 162 countries, indicating severe security concerns.
Despite numerous anti-corruption initiatives, Transparency International ranked Nigeria as one of the most corrupt nations in the world (150 out of 180 countries in 2022). Additionally, insufficient efforts have been made to diversify the economy and invest in essential sectors such as education and healthcare. According to a 2022 UNESCO report, Nigeria has an estimated 20 million students who are not enrolled in school. In addition to violations of human rights, the country confronts other pressing issues, including climate change and state-society relations. Consequently, while Nigeria has made significant progress since achieving independence, the aforementioned obstacles have somewhat overshadowed these achievements.
Nigeria’s Prospects
Notwithstanding the challenges Nigeria has faced since attaining independence, the country has shown resilience and offers numerous promising prospects. Nigeria’s youthful population, with a median age of about 18 years, presents a significant opportunity for economic growth and innovation. If utilised appropriately, this demographic can fuel economic and technological revolutions in the country. In addition to its crude wealth, Nigeria possesses a variety of mineral resources, including limestone, coal, bitumen, and precious metals. These resources have the potential to significantly boost Nigeria’s economy if properly managed, led, and explored in a variety of new ways. As a result of technological advancements and modern farming techniques, the agricultural sector has equal potential to sustain the nation, generate employment, and increase exports. Despite current difficulties, infrastructure investments in railways, highways, and airports are increasing. This infrastructure can facilitate increased commerce, mobility, and economic expansion as it improves. Furthermore, new bills, including the Electricity Act, Student Loan Act, and Data Protection Act, have been recently signed into law in Nigeria. The Electricity Act grants states and individuals the legal authority to generate, transmit, and distribute electricity, reducing annual economic losses. The Student Loan Act offers interest-free loans for students, while the Data Protection Act protects individual privacy rights. Additionally, efforts are being made to reform key institutions, launch robust security architectures, combat corruption, and ensure more efficient governance, all of which could increase business confidence and attract foreign investments. This year’s theme for Nigeria’s independence celebration, “Nigeria @ 63: Renewed Hope for Unity & Prosperity,” captures the nation’s spirit flawlessly. No doubt, Nigeria has a bright future. The nation’s prospects depend on capitalising on its strengths, implementing crucial governance reforms, and committing to inclusive and sustainable development. Happy Independence Day to all Nigerians, both in and outside of Nigeria!
Ayokunu Adedokun is an assistant professor of public policy and international development at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Before joining Leiden University, he held pivotal roles as a policy and development specialist with reputable organizations, including the World Bank Group, the United Nations, the British Council, and the Nigerian government. Feel free to connect on LinkedIn here.
