.1st October, 2026
In the early hours of 1st October, thirteen years after Nigeria gained political independence from her former colonial master, Britain, a destiny child was born — an Independence child.
That child is Ndubuisi Anaenugwu.
Yes, every year, I celebrate my birthday alongside Nigeria’s Independence Day. It is a unique coincidence that has given my birthday a deeper meaning and has made me reflect, year after year, on the journey of our country.
Nigeria was granted political independence in 1960, but sadly, the country has struggled to achieve meaningful economic independence.
The First Republic collapsed barely six years after independence, exposing the weaknesses in the foundation upon which the nation was built.
Rather than making the difficult effort to rebuild that foundation, successive Nigerian leaders, often working with foreign interests, have largely resorted to patching, repainting and managing the cracks — making the structure appear sound without addressing some of its fundamental problems.
Today, it increasingly feels as though we have lost our sense of Nationhood. Almost everyone, rich and poor, appears desperate to leave Nigeria in search of better opportunities elsewhere. The tragedy is that many who leave do not wish to return.
Our education system is under enormous pressure. Our graduates have no hope of securing quality jobs.
Many wealthy Nigerians send their children to universities abroad, and a significant number of those young people eventually build their lives outside the country.
Our vast mineral resources have also raised persistent concerns about unequal access to national wealth and the concentration of economic opportunities in the hands of a relatively small privileged class.
Our financial system, too, often appears structured in ways that make life increasingly difficult for the poor and working class, while those with greater economic power continue to enjoy disproportionate advantages.
Nigeria cannot sustain a productive economy when reliable and affordable electricity remains elusive and when citizens and businesses continue to face serious security challenges.
There are serious problems with almost every major institution of the Nigerian state.
Too often, the law appears to work differently for the powerful and the vulnerable, creating a perception that influence and privilege can sometimes outweigh justice and accountability.
For many Nigerians, the daily struggle is no longer simply about living well; it is about surviving.
As I mark my birthday today, I cannot celebrate without confronting these realities. I , therefore painfully reject the Nigeria that exists today as my birthday mate. I say this without hatred for my country, but out of deep concern for its future.
I believe the Nigerian union must be honestly re-examined and, where necessary, renegotiated to create a fairer, safer and more prosperous country for all its citizens. No marriage should be sustained by force when the partners can no longer agree on the terms of their coexistence. The same principle should guide our national conversation.
This is my birthday wish.
I wish for a Nigeria where justice is truly blind, where leadership is accountable, where education works, where electricity is reliable, where security is guaranteed, where our natural resources benefit the majority, and where citizens do not have to flee their homeland in search of a dignified life.
As I celebrate another year of my life, my greatest prayer is that Nigeria will find the courage to introspect, rebuild and renew herself.
Happy Independence Day to Nigeria, and happy birthday to me.
Ndubuisi Anaenugwu
