Nigerians describe independence as pride mixed with hardship
As Nigeria marked 66 years of independence, residents interviewed by Channels Television offered differing views on whether they feel free. Some cited political sovereignty and the right to elect leaders, while others pointed to hardship, insecurity, corruption, unemployment and poor public services as limits on freedom.
Nigerians gave contrasting views on what freedom means 66 years after the country gained independence from British rule, with many linking the idea to economic hardship and public services. Channels Television spoke to residents in Lagos, Benin City and Zamfara State for its Independence Day report. Some said Nigeria was free because it was sovereign and allowed citizens to elect their leaders and make their own policies.
Others said political independence had not delivered meaningful freedom. They cited the cost of survival, corruption, insecurity, unemployment, shortages of water and electricity, and what they described as poor governance. Set designer Jisola Ara said independence existed formally, but that citizens’ daily struggles limited how free they felt.
Communications professional Chukwuemeka Nwachukwu similarly said Nigerians had escaped colonial rule but remained burdened by bad leadership and hardship. A university lecturer, Oluchukwu Abba, said freedom required economic self-reliance and vibrancy, which she believed were still lacking. Student Ahmad Haliru offered a more positive view, saying the ability to choose leaders and implement national policies amounted to freedom.
Despite the criticism, several interviewees said they remained proud of Nigeria’s people, culture, creativity, music, film, fashion, food and entrepreneurial spirit. The report presented independence as an achievement whose benefits many citizens said had yet to be fully experienced.
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