The Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), has celebrated the 66th Independence Anniversary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, reflecting on the state of the nation.
CACOL, in a statement signed by Comrade Debo Adeniran, congratulated Nigerians at home and in the diaspora for their courage, sacrifices and patriotic commitment.
‘As Nigeria commemorates its 66th Independence Anniversary, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL) congratulates Nigerians at home and in the diaspora and honours the courage, sacrifices and patriotic commitment of the men and women who fought for Nigeria’s independence. However, while we celebrate 66 years of nationhood, CACOL considers it necessary to reflect soberly on the state of the Nigerian nation. Independence should not merely be measured by the absence of colonial rule, but by the extent to which citizens enjoy freedom, dignity, security, economic opportunity, social justice and a reasonable standard of living.’
‘It is therefore worrisome that, six and a half decades after independence, millions of Nigerians continue to contend with abject poverty, unemployment, insecurity, inadequate healthcare, housing challenges, rising food prices and declining purchasing power. The widening gap between the rich and the poor is particularly disturbing. A nation cannot achieve sustainable development when a small proportion of its population enjoys enormous economic privileges while a significant majority struggles to afford basic necessities,’ the statement reads.
CACOL, however, noted that corruption remains one of the most persistent obstacles to Nigeria’s development, adding that resources should be channeled into education, healthcare, infrastructure, social protection, job creation and other essential public services.
‘CACOL maintains that corruption remains one of the most persistent obstacles to Nigeria’s development. Resources that should be channeled into education, healthcare, infrastructure, social protection, job creation and other essential public services are too often lost through corruption, mismanagement, inflated contracts, diversion of public funds and weak accountability mechanisms. While corruption may not be the only cause of Nigeria’s challenges, its pervasive effects have contributed significantly to weakening public institutions and reducing the impact of government programmes’
‘CACOL therefore calls for greater transparency in public expenditure, stronger institutions, effective prosecution of corruption cases, recovery of stolen public assets and consistent enforcement of anti-corruption laws, irrespective of the status or political affiliation of persons involved. The difficult economic environment has also contributed to the increasing departure of talented, skilled and creative Nigerians in search of better opportunities abroad. Professionals in healthcare, education, technology, engineering and other critical sectors continue to seek greener pastures in countries where they perceive better remuneration, working conditions and opportunities for professional advancement’
‘CACOL is concerned that sustained emigration of skilled Nigerians can create significant capacity gaps at home. Government must therefore create conditions that make Nigeria attractive not only to foreign investors but also to its own citizens. This requires decent employment opportunities, competitive remuneration, reliable infrastructure, merit-based systems, support for innovation and entrepreneurship, and an environment where talent can thrive’
‘CACOL is equally concerned about the country’s growing debt burden and the implications of continued borrowing for present and future generations. Borrowing may be justified where it finances productive investments capable of generating economic returns and improving citizens’ welfare. However, excessive borrowing without commensurate improvements in productivity, revenue generation, infrastructure and citizens’ living standards risks placing an unsustainable burden on the Nigerian people’
‘Government must therefore exercise greater prudence in borrowing and ensure that every borrowed fund is transparently accounted for, properly deployed and directed towards projects that have measurable developmental and economic benefits. As an organisation committed to anti-corruption, good governance and accountable leadership, CACOL urges the Federal Government and all levels of government to adopt practical measures capable of improving the welfare of citizens’
Among other measures, we recommend that government should:
1. Strengthen the fight against corruption by ensuring that anti-corruption institutions have the independence, resources and institutional support required to investigate and prosecute corruption effectively.
2. Reduce the cost of food and essential commodities by supporting farmers with affordable inputs, improving agricultural productivity, investing in storage and transportation infrastructure, and addressing avoidable disruptions across food supply chains.
3. Expand affordable housing programmes and provide incentives for mass housing development, while improving access to affordable mortgages and addressing the cost of land and building materials.
4. Make healthcare more affordable and accessible, particularly for low-income and vulnerable Nigerians, while strengthening primary healthcare facilities and expanding effective health-insurance coverage.
5. Create sustainable employment opportunities by supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, local manufacturing, agriculture, technology, creative industries and other productive sectors capable of absorbing Nigeria’s large youthful population.
6. Invest substantially in education and skills development, ensuring that Nigerian young people are equipped with the knowledge and technical skills required to compete in the global economy.
7. Address insecurity decisively by strengthening intelligence gathering, community policing and other lawful security mechanisms, while improving the welfare, training, equipment and accountability of security personnel.
8. Strengthen social protection programmes and ensure that interventions genuinely reach the poorest and most vulnerable citizens through transparent, verifiable and accountable mechanisms.
9. Promote responsible public borrowing, linking loans to clearly defined productive projects and publishing sufficient information to enable citizens to monitor the utilization and impact of borrowed funds.
10. Improve transparency and citizen participation in governance, including greater openness around public budgets, procurement, government contracts and implementation of development projects.
11. Create an enabling environment for Nigerians in the diaspora to contribute to national development, while also addressing the conditions that are driving skilled citizens out of the country.
12. Strengthen local government administration and grassroots development, ensuring that resources and development initiatives reach communities where ordinary Nigerians live and work.
INDEPENDENCE MUST DELIVER FREEDOM AND DIGNITY
‘CACOL believes that the sacrifices of Nigeria’s past leaders and independence heroes must not be rendered meaningless. The struggle for independence was not simply a struggle to replace colonial administrators with indigenous leaders; it was also a struggle for dignity, self-determination and a better future for Nigerians. Therefore, 66 years after independence, the ultimate test of nationhood should be the quality of life enjoyed by the ordinary Nigerian’
‘Government at all levels must do everything within its constitutional responsibility to ensure that the majority of Nigerians experience the dividends of democracy through affordable food, decent housing, accessible healthcare, quality education, productive employment, security and social justice. CACOL calls on political leaders, civil society organisations, the private sector, labour, professional bodies, traditional institutions, religious organisations and citizens to work collectively towards building a Nigeria where public office is regarded as a responsibility rather than an avenue for personal enrichment’
‘As we celebrate our 66th Independence Anniversary, CACOL urges Nigerians not to lose hope in the Nigerian project. Rather, we must continue to demand accountability, transparency, responsible leadership and good governance, while also playing our individual and collective roles in rebuilding the nation’
‘Nigeria belongs to all of us, and its resources must be deployed for the benefit of all Nigerians. For the efforts and sacrifices of those who fought for Nigeria’s independence not to be in vain, independence must translate into tangible freedom, dignity, opportunity and prosperity for the majority of our people. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria,’ the statement reads.