As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence Anniversary, the mood across the country is a mixture of pride and frustration. While the milestone highlights the nation’s resilience and democratic journey, many citizens say there is little to celebrate due to the deepening economic and security crises.
Soaring inflation, rising fuel costs, and a weakening naira have left households struggling to meet basic needs. Food prices continue to climb, while unemployment and underemployment remain widespread, forcing many families into poverty. For small businesses and traders, the high cost of living has further eroded profit margins and purchasing power.
Insecurity also remains a major concern. From kidnappings and bandit attacks in rural communities to violent crimes in urban centers, many Nigerians feel increasingly unsafe despite heavy security deployments across the country.
President Bola Tinubu, in his Independence message, acknowledged the hardship but urged citizens to remain hopeful, pledging that ongoing reforms will reposition the economy. Yet for millions of Nigerians, the daily reality of high living costs overshadows the celebrations.
As the green and white flags are raised on October 1, Nigerians are calling not only for unity and patriotism but also for urgent solutions to ease the burden of hardship and ensure that independence translates into real freedom from hunger, poverty
and insecurity.
