Nigeria @65: ActionAid Says So Far, Not So Good

By: Michael Mike

ActionAid Nigeria has declared that as Nigeria celebrates her 65th Independence Anniversary it has been a story that beg for answers on why we have not gone beyond the level at which we are currently at.

The Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu in a statement on Tuesday, said: “As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence Anniversary on October 1, 2025, ActionAid Nigeria joins citizens to reflect on our country’s journey. Sixty-five years after independence, and 26 years into an unbroken stretch of democratic governance, Nigerians are entitled to ask difficult but necessary questions about the state of the nation.”

Mamedu while commending the resilience of Nigerians and the endurance of the nation’s democratic system for despite flaws, has sustained constitutional rule and peaceful transfers of power since 1999, said: “We also recognise areas of progress, including new railway projects, private sector-led investments such as the Dangote Refinery, the continued role of agriculture as the backbone of the non-oil economy, and modest improvements in the solid minerals sector, which, if properly managed, could diversify revenue and create jobs.

He lamented that: “These gains, however, remain overshadowed by persistent crisis that undermine the well-being of millions.”

He also decried that Nigeria remains highly dependent on crude oil for foreign exchange and government revenue, a structural weakness that has left the economy vulnerable to global price shocks and repeated cycles of instability, adding that: “Growth has not translated into shared prosperity.”

Mamedu said: “According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), 63% of Nigerians, or approximately 133 million people, were living in multidimensional poverty in 2022. According to the World Bank, over 87 million Nigerians, nearly 39% of the population, still live below the international poverty line of $2.15 per day. Regardless of the figure we are looking at, inflation, which remains above 20% in 2025, has further eroded household incomes and increased the cost of living. Currency devaluations and subsidy removals have deepened hardship, while expected fiscal relief from subsidy savings has been slow, only partially remitted, and not equitably distributed, raising serious concerns about accountability.”

He further decried that: “The fiscal structure of the country continues to centralise power and resources in the federal government, limiting innovation and accountability at state levels. At the same time, the infrastructure gap remains severe. Unreliable power supply is the single greatest obstacle to industrial growth and small-scale enterprise. Poor road networks, inadequate housing, and inefficient ports continue to frustrate citizens and businesses.

“Governance and institutions remain weak. The rule of law is undermined by the slow pace of justice and political interference. Corruption persists at systemic levels, with public resources diverted through inflated contracts, abandoned projects, and reckless spending. This diverts funds away from critical social services and sustains cycles of poverty and injustice.”

Mamedu added that: “Nigeria’s debt situation is also deeply concerning. With debt service-to-revenue rising above 100% in recent years, the federal government spends nearly all its revenue on debt obligations, leaving very little for capital investment or essential services. This is unsustainable and directly affects development outcomes.”

He noted that: “On human development, the country lags behind. Our Human Development Index stands at about 0.560, reflecting low life expectancy, poor access to education, and limited income opportunities. Education is in crisis with 18.3 million children remain out of school (SitAn), the highest number in the world, and those in school often face dilapidated facilities, poorly trained teachers, and limited access to learning materials. Climate-related disasters, including flooding that recently displaced over 15 million Nigerians, have destroyed schools and worsened an already dire situation.

“Healthcare tells the same story of neglect. Health facilities remain grossly inadequate, particularly in rural areas. Shortages of medical personnel and medicines persist, while poor funding has left the sector unable to meet the needs of citizens. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the fragility of the system, but reforms to build resilience have been minimal.

“Security has deteriorated across all regions. In the North-East, Boko Haram and ISWAP continue their attacks. In the North-West and North-Central, banditry and kidnapping-for-ransom have created fear and instability. Farmer-herder conflicts persist, while violent agitations in the South-East disrupt normal life. These multiple crises have displaced communities, reduced food production, closed schools, and weakened local economies. The recent killing of 12 forest guards in Kwara State is another reminder of the human cost of insecurity and the failure of the state to protect its people.

“Amidst everything, women continue to face exclusion from governance. The slow attention to the passage of the Special Seats Bill for Women in the National Assembly demonstrates a lack of political will to prioritise gender equity. With women making up nearly half the population, Nigeria cannot make sustainable progress while denying them a fair voice in decision-making.”

He stressed that: “Equally important is the independence and credibility of our democratic institutions. The upcoming appointment of the next INEC Chairman, as well as national and state commissioners, provides an opportunity for government to demonstrate its commitment to democracy. Only the appointment of independent, credible people can guarantee free, fair, and transparent elections. The judiciary, too, must rise to its constitutional responsibility as the last hope of the common person by upholding justice without fear or favour, especially in electoral and corruption-related matters. Accountability in governance will remain elusive unless the judiciary and INEC are strengthened to play their roles without compromise.”

He said: “As we commemorate 65 years of independence, ActionAid Nigeria emphasises that celebration without accountability is empty. Nigerians deserve more than promises. They deserve safety, dignity, justice, and equal opportunities.”

ActionAid Nigeria demanded for full and timely remittance of all fuel subsidy savings to the Federation Account and transparent use of these funds for social investment; A comprehensive overhaul of the education sector, with investment in infrastructure, teacher training, and access to quality learning for all children, especially girls; A healthcare reform agenda that prioritises quality and affordable services for all, with particular attention to underserved rural areas; Urgent, coordinated, and people-centered responses to the multiple insecurity crises across the country.

It also demanded for stronger anti-corruption measures and governance reforms to ensure transparency and accountability in public spending; Passage of the Special Seats Bill for Women and a commitment to gender-inclusive governance; Reforms to fiscal federalism that give states greater control of their resources, promote competition, and accelerate development; Full and timely remittance of all fuel subsidy savings to the Federation Account and transparent use of these funds for social investment; Transparent, credible appointments in INEC and the judiciary to guarantee independence, fairness, and accountability in electoral and governance processes.

It called on the government to act decisively, insisting that Nigerians cannot afford more cycles of unfulfilled promises and that the time for real reform is now.

Nigeria @65: ActionAid Says So Far, Not So Good