A Nation at 65 – Progress or Pretense?
As Nigeria celebrates its 65th Independence Anniversary, the Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) joins fellow citizens in commemorating the journey so far. While we salute the resilience of the Nigerian people, this milestone demands not just celebration but critical introspection.
FENRAD undertook an X-ray analysis of five key pillars shaping the nation’s reality today:
- Security
- Unemployment
- Inflation
- Economic Uncertainty
- Government Policy Implementation
SECURITY: A STATE STRUGGLING TO PROTECT ITSELF
Nigeria remains entangled in layers of insecurity. From Boko Haram’s ongoing attacks in the North-East, to banditry in the North-West, IPOB-related violence in the South-East, and oil theft in the South-South, the country is on a dangerous trajectory.
Recent killings of forest guards in Kwara and renewed insurgency in Borno State show that even previously “safe” areas are now under threat. The ripple effect is devastating—farming communities displaced, food production stifled, and lives lost with impunity.
FENRAD calls for immediate security sector reform: community policing, intelligence modernization, improved coordination between security agencies, and accountability for human rights violations.
UNEMPLOYMENT: A HIDDEN CRISIS BEHIND FAKE FIGURES
While official data reports a 4.3% unemployment rate (Q2 2024), the reality is that millions—especially young Nigerians—are trapped in underemployment, gig work, and survivalist hustles.
Over 14% of young Nigerians are Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET). With limited formal job creation, the economy is failing its youth.
FENRAD urges urgent action: expand public works programs, revamp vocational training, unlock MSME funding, and revive agro-industrial zones to absorb young labour.
INFLATION: THE EVERYDAY PAIN NIGERIANS FEEL
The cost of living is unbearable. Inflation is officially at 23.7% (April 2025), but the price of food, transport, rent, and energy has gone beyond what ordinary citizens can afford. The removal of the fuel subsidy, while fiscally necessary, was implemented without sufficient cushioning for the poor.
Food inflation is driven not only by macroeconomic policies but by insecurity, logistics breakdowns, and power supply failures.
FENRAD recommends targeted food security measures, rural infrastructure upgrades, and improved supply chain interventions to reduce input and transport costs.
ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY: GROWTH WITHOUT HOPE
Although GDP is projected to grow at 3.6% in 2025, growth has not translated into better living conditions. Investors are wary due to policy inconsistency and insecurity, while businesses face high borrowing costs, forex scarcity, and unreliable infrastructure.
Reforms such as exchange rate unification and fuel subsidy removal are important but were poorly timed and communicated, worsening hardship.
FENRAD calls for clarity in policy direction, stronger safety nets for vulnerable groups, and inclusive growth models that prioritize citizens, not just macro indicators.
GOVERNMENT POLICIES: REFORMS WITHOUT A HUMAN FACE
Yes, Nigeria is reforming—but are the reforms reaching the people?
The implementation of economic policies under the current administration lacks adequate planning, consultation, and transparency. Social protection programs are underfunded, inconsistently delivered, and prone to politicization.
FENRAD demands improved governance: budget transparency, independent monitoring of social programs, and community involvement in development decisions.
CONCLUSION: TIME FOR A NEW NATIONAL CONTRACT
Nigeria at 65 must choose: continue down the road of inequality and insecurity, or rise to build a nation of justice, jobs, and stability.
FENRAD believes that economic transformation must be anchored on:
- Human rights and inclusive governance
- National security built on justice, not just firepower
- Job creation driven by real sector growth
- Transparency in policy design and execution
“Reforms without empathy will only deepen hardship. At 65, Nigeria must lead with justice, transparency, and people-first policies.
