My first experience with Nigeria came the night my father arrived home as usual but with several trucks moving equipment from his warehouse because the state government had informed him they needed his space to build public infrastructures. While my father was distraught, he said, “It’s for Nigeria to get better.”
Sixteen years have passed since I first heard those words, yet the wait persists. The noose around my neck tightens, suffocating my aspirations. I yearn to breathe, to experience the liberty that independence should bring. The struggle for true freedom extends beyond colonial legacy to confronting internalised oppression.
As Nigeria celebrates independence today, I’m compelled to revisit this unfulfilled promise. The irony is stark: Nigeria freed itself from external oppression only to impose its constraints on my freedom.
Life is tough, but Nigeria makes us tougher.
The life of an average Nigerian has become financially suffocating. Nigerians struggle to afford even one nutritious meal daily, as the expenses of being a Nigerian far exceed the monthly sustenance salaries. In July, Nigeria’s headline inflation rate rose to an alarming 40.8%, the worse in 28 years.
The consequences are dire: mothers are forced to rely solely on breastfeeding to feed their infants due to the prohibitive cost of alternative options.
The officer in charge of the Federal Low-Cost Primary Health Centre, Mr Abdurrazak Shehu, told NAN the facility recorded 31 exclusively breastfed babies in June 2024, while in July, 40 babies were recorded, these statistics indicate that nursing mothers have had to resort to exclusive breastfeeding.
Fathers are compelled to dedicate themselves to relentless labour, shouldering the burden of providing for their families lest they lose their dignity. Parents are driven to plead with their children to sacrifice their well-being, appealing to us to ration our basic needs to once a day while some have resorted to feeding on animal feeds to stay alive.
Nigeria’s ranking in the 2023 Global Hunger Index is alarming, placing 109th out of 125 countries with a score of 28.3%, indicating a serious hunger level. This ranking translates to Nigeria being the 16th most hungry country globally. This bleak reality is a stark testament to the unsustainable nature of the average Nigerian household.
The fuel hike
The escalating cost of fuel has imposed an additional burden which has been challenging to cope with, and even efforts by prominent individuals like Dangote to provide relief by building Nigeria’s first refinery have yielded minimal impact. The hike in the cost of fuel in Nigeria has gone from ₦143.50 in 2020, ₦168.06 in 2021, ₦208.28 in 2022, ₦532.5 in 2023 to 1₦200 in 2024
Consequently, the toll on the average Nigerian has been devastating as people are forced to work exhaustively, juggling multiple income streams to make ends meet and afford basic amenities, sacrificing their mental, physical, and emotional health in the process. This relentless struggle to stay afloat has become unsustainable, pushing individuals to the brink of collapse.
We can barely survive Nigeria, we need rescuing.
The stifled voices
In Nigeria, an eerie silence has descended, as citizens tremble at the thought of speaking truth to power. The fear of persecution hangs heavy, a constant reminder that our words may be met with swift retribution.
We live in a climate of dread, where freedom of expression is a precarious luxury. Every utterance is weighed, every opinion tempered, lest we incur the wrath of those who govern. The arrest of journalists and the arrest of Chioma which led to the loss of her unborn child after she complained about a tomato paste begs several questions.
Who is safe? Who is next? Me? I already feel unsafe expressing my grievances, and a persecution would hurt but it wouldn’t surprise me.
We can barely survive Nigeria, we need to feel safe.
Nigeria, the deserted land
Brothers, sisters and friends are spread across the seven continents of the world, and I’m afraid some wouldn’t even make my funeral if I died tomorrow. They managed to escape their shackles to seek better opportunities elsewhere, and the alarming statistic – 71% more poised to follow – haunts me.
Having escaped their geographical shackles, the crippling economic reality in Nigeria has turned diaspora Nigerians into breadwinners and reluctant saviours, forcing them to navigate the complexities of transnational financial obligations which limit their own ability to build generational wealth and break the cycle of poverty.
How many more virtual hugs, forced smiles, ceremonies, graduations and weddings would it take to realise how much of our strength and values we have lost?
When will Nigeria acknowledge the desolation caused by policies which systematically dismantle the fabric of our community, leaving the country with a hollow heart and an endless ache for the potentials we have lost?
We can barely survive Nigeria. We need a solution.
The constant Naira devaluation
The relentless devaluation of the Naira has unleashed a devastating storm on Nigeria’s economy, eroding the purchasing power of citizens and shattering their trust in the financial system. With each downward spiral, the value of hard-earned savings melts away, leaving families struggling to make ends meet. The once-stable household budgets now teeter on the brink of collapse, as inflation ravages the landscape, transforming basic necessities into unaffordable luxuries.
At the end of 2023, the value of Nigerian Naira stood at ₦899 against 1USD but as of October 30, 2024, Naira stands at ₦1,682 against 1USD; about 70% devaluation. As the Naira’s worth continues to plummet, the dreams of a prosperous future seem to slip further out of reach, leaving Nigerians wondering if the downward trend will halt and stability return.
We can barely survive Nigeria, we need saving.
A failed attempt to #EndBadGovernance
On August 1, 2024, Nigeria saw the beginning of 10 days of rage, demanding to #Endbadgovernance through peaceful protests, but we were met with brutality. Our voices and placards were answered with tear gas and live ammunition, killing several and labeling survivours as terrorists and imprisoning protesters who now face treason charges, branded as “enemies of the state.” The question remains: will they ever taste freedom again?
Their only crime was seeking a better future, exercising their right to free speech and assembly. Instead of dialogue, the authorities responded with force, stifling dissent and punishing those who dared to challenge the status quo. The path to justice seems uncertain, as my friends languish in detention, awaiting trial.
We are dying Nigeria, we need freedom.
The year ahead
As Nigeria marks its 64th Independence Day, we reflect on our nation’s resilient spirit amidst economic struggles. Let this milestone serve as a catalyst for collective action. Let us unite, support local enterprises, demand accountability from our leaders, and prioritize education for a brighter future. Together, we can break free from the shackles of hardship and forge a prosperous path forward. May the next Independence Day celebration usher in tales of triumph, not travail.
Happy Independence Day Nigeria.
