₦airaland Forum

During Independence, there was optimism, not just among Nigerians but globally.

Nigeria was blessed with vast natural resources, a large population. People around the world believed it would become one of the world's great nations and a leading voice in Africa. There was so much potential.

Yet today, Nigeria struggles with insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure, economic hardship, and a growing loss of faith in public institutions.

At what point did Nigeria lose the direction it was headed?

Was it the military coups?

The Civil War?

Corruption and the greed of a few that gradually spread through society?

Ethnic and religious divisions?

Or is the problem something deeper?

I'm genuinely interested in hearing different perspectives.

If you had to point to one moment that changed Nigeria's trajectory, what would it be?

moderators: Mynd44, fergie001 nlfpmod

This inspired me to create a short piece called The Sleeping Giant which explores the idea through storytelling and symbolism.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pAcjbZkxyA

unseenmatrix:
During Independence, there was optimism, not just among Nigerians but globally.

Nigeria was blessed with vast natural resources, a large population. People around the world believed it would become one of the world's great nations and a leading voice in Africa. There was so much potential.

Yet today, Nigeria struggles with insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure, economic hardship, and a growing loss of faith in public institutions.

At what point did Nigeria lose the direction it was headed?

Was it the military coups?

The Civil War?

Corruption and the greed of a few that gradually spread through society?

Ethnic and religious divisions?

Or is the problem something deeper?

I'm genuinely interested in hearing different perspectives.

If you had to point to one moment that changed Nigeria's trajectory, what would it be?

We lost it during the first military coup

Our democracy was not given time to grow

Nigeria has lost its way so many times...


It's difficult to pin point the exact or the biggest wrong turn that made it lost it's bearing completely to where it is today.


But perhaps the significant or first time it lost direction was the first military coup.


I don't think Nigeria ever fully recovered from the mess it created.

These many wrong detours culminated in Nigeria getting lost in the woods though. So to be fair in essence it isn't just one wrong turn but an assortment of many!

See them 🤣 Igbo lovers above all claim the first military coup spoilt their country . . .

Meanwhile there have been NUMEROUS OTHER MILITARY COUPS since that year but the difference is the following coups all made the country get better in their own various little ways 🤗

Hahaha 🤣😂 jokes that write themselves are unique indeed

Jan 15, 1966.

You can fall many times
But you are not permitted to stay on the ground!

The big question is for how long will Nigeria continue to rigmarole in the mud and remain on the ground?

We lost it when we kept repeating our mistakes instead of learning from them and correcting them.

That's the difference between White man and Blackman, I am Soo sorry to say this if you feel hurt or offended.


There was one website I worked on last year 2025, fast-forward to 2026 guess what they significantly improved and upgraded extensively.

Nigeria never for once had any way. The three major group had different ways since time immemorial. We’ve been here just stressing ourselves all this while. One Nigeria will never work. I love Nigeria 🇳🇬 by the way, The Yorubaland where I happen to come from is today part of the country so me hating the country will be me hating on my ancestral land.

But we need time machine to reverse a lot of things.

The truth is, Nigeria was never meant to be one country.

It was a failed British experiment.

The 1914 amalgamation is where Nigeria’s problems started.

Refinedbeing:
Nigeria never for once had any way. The three major group had different ways since time immemorial. We’ve been here just stressing ourselves all this while. One Nigeria will never work. I love Nigeria 🇳🇬 by the way, The Yorubaland where I happen to come from is today part of the country so me hating the country will be me hating on my ancestral land.

But we need time machine to reverse a lot of things.

I don't believe one Nigeria will never work though...


There is unity in diversity. Our differences are actually our strengths.


We haven't had the right leaders... especially under democracy, to harness our potentials.

Nigeria is a great country.... it's always painful to me when I see people who don't believe in it's potential and say it can't or will not work!

Nigeria WIll be a great country, when some particular people leave the country.

This set of people believe Nigeria is the reason why they can't have erection 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣.

As a patriot, I love my country and I wish to see her compete with the United States of America and China.

brain54:
I don't believe one Nigeria will never work though...


There is unity in diversity. Our differences are actually our strengths.


We haven't had the right leaders... especially under democracy, to harness our potentials.

Nigeria is a great country.... it's always painful to me when I see people who don't believe in it's potential and say it can't or will not work!

There can’t be right leader. Our interests are different.

Refinedbeing:
There can’t be right leader. Our interests are different.

👣

Parachoko:
We lost it during the first military coup

Our democracy was not given time to grow

Is it possible to get the momentum back? Is it probable that it will happen? Or is it lost forever?

unseenmatrix:
Is it possible to get the momentum back? Is it probable that it will happen? Or is it lost forever?

If you compare our democracy now to what it was in the 2000s, you will see we're making progress, even though we're moving at a very slow pace

When the Northern political establishment and their Southern counterpart gang up (THE CPC HYENAS and the ACN JACKALS) to blackmail Jonathan and install Buhari by fire by force that was when we get it wrong 😭😭

unseenmatrix:
During Independence, there was optimism, not just among Nigerians but globally.

Nigeria was blessed with vast natural resources, a large population. People around the world believed it would become one of the world's great nations and a leading voice in Africa. There was so much potential.

Yet today, Nigeria struggles with insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure, economic hardship, and a growing loss of faith in public institutions.

At what point did Nigeria lose the direction it was headed?

Was it the military coups?

The Civil War?

Corruption and the greed of a few that gradually spread through society?

Ethnic and religious divisions?

Or is the problem something deeper?

I'm genuinely interested in hearing different perspectives.

If you had to point to one moment that changed Nigeria's trajectory, what would it be?

When Owelle decided he preferred to be a figurehead President/Governor General and weaker partner in the partnership with Ndi Fulani.

The last then became the first (development wise) and the country was turned on its head.

unseenmatrix:
During Independence, there was optimism, not just among Nigerians but globally.

Nigeria was blessed with vast natural resources, a large population. People around the world believed it would become one of the world's great nations and a leading voice in Africa. There was so much potential.

Yet today, Nigeria struggles with insecurity, unemployment, poor infrastructure, economic hardship, and a growing loss of faith in public institutions.

At what point did Nigeria lose the direction it was headed?

Was it the military coups?

The Civil War?

Corruption and the greed of a few that gradually spread through society?

Ethnic and religious divisions?

Or is the problem something deeper?

I'm genuinely interested in hearing different perspectives.

If you had to point to one moment that changed Nigeria's trajectory, what would it be?

At what point did Nigeria lose its way? Who said Nigeria ever found a way?

As soon as the British left in 1960 the rot set in. Thats what happens when people who have no business being together insist on "one Nigeria"

Nigeria lost its way during the Sai baba and Emilokan era

Nigeria is undeniably thriving now. It’s a vibrant, prosperous nation, brimming with energy and optimism. The future looks bright, with plenty of opportunities for growth and development. It’s all about strategic investments and a strong leadership team, naturally.

I think it was immediately after our independence, when people like Nnamdi Azikiwe nursed the anbition that his people would dominate and lord over other tribes upon exit of the British that merged us together.. the reckless statements he made back then are everywhere.
Then the first bloody coup of January 15, 1966 happened followed by reprisals from angry soldiers and civilians alike. Till today, Nigeria hasn't really healed from the recklessness of those old ethnic bigots.

Then issue of Militancy in the Niger Delta region, abductions, blowing of pipelines repaid with huge monetary settlements for militants. I wrote about 10 years back that such actions would have repercussions.. the terrorists the Northern elites have forced us to be reffering to as bandits are their own way of getting huge settlements from milatancy (in this case insurgency). Most of them see nothing wrong with the carnage going on in Nigeria today, even though they are getting themselves destroyed gradually. From the rehabilitation and reintegration they are doing for repentant terrorists, you should know that something is amiss.
We all are in danger as far as the status quo remains.

When fulanis were brought headed the leadership of the country over more competent persons.