Veteran journalist and Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Public Enlightenment, Projects and Policies, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, has said that Nigeria has maintained national unity and steady progress despite numerous challenges over the past 65 years.
Speaking on the topic “Nigeria at 65: Major Gains of Nationhood” during ADBN Television’s Morning Express programme, Ifeajika described the country’s post-independence journey as one of resilience, self-correction, and the unyielding will to survive.
According to him, Nigeria’s ability to remain united despite civil war, ethnic divisions, and political instability is a remarkable achievement.
As a nation, for 65 years, fundamentally, we found our balance. In spite of all the challenges of the civil war, ethnic tensions, and political instability, we overcame them and continued as one united country. That in itself is a major achievement,” he said
Ifeajika noted that while the nation’s economic and educational progress may not be where it ought to be, Nigerians have consistently demonstrated determination to move forward.
He lamented the decline in scholarship opportunities that were common in the early years of independence when governments at all levels prioritized education and offered generous support to students, including overseas scholarships.
Then, those who went to school often had scholarships, not just federal, but also state-level support. Those things are no longer common today,” he said.
“We have grown in population to over 232 million people, but the same rate of educational investment and job creation has not followed that growth.”
On the economy, the veteran journalist acknowledged that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) had expanded over the years but emphasized the need for inclusive growth that benefits all citizens.
He identified youth empowerment as the most critical area requiring urgent and deliberate government attention, stressing that the nation’s strength lies in its youthful population.
The bulk of our population is youthful. We must intentionally empower them through education, training, and entrepreneurship support,” he said.
Drawing examples from Delta State, Ifeajika commended the state government’s sustained investment in youth development through training, grants, and tools for self-reliance.
In Delta, there is a deliberate culture of developing young people, encouraging self-employment, and giving them grants to start small businesses. That is the direction every government must go,” he added.
However, he cautioned against attributing unemployment solely to government inefficiency, noting that rapid population growth and shifting economic realities are also key factors.
Unemployment isn’t just about government inefficiency. It’s also about population explosion; more people graduate from schools every year than the economy can immediately absorb,” he explained.
Ifeajika also praised Nigerian youths who have achieved global recognition in entertainment, technology, and the creative industries, describing them as proof of the nation’s boundless potential.
Our youths are making us proud in Nollywood, Afrobeats, and tech startups. These are young Nigerians succeeding without waiting for government jobs. That’s the spirit we must nurture,” he said.
Calling for true federalism as a catalyst for national progress, he urged that states be allowed to grow at their own pace and harness their resources for development.
If states are allowed to grow at their own pace and harness their resources, Nigeria will thrive even more. True federalism will unleash the nation’s full potential,” he stated.
Concluding, Ifeajika said Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary should serve as a moment of sober reflection and renewed commitment to national development.
We have survived many storms as a people. But now, we must look inward, strengthen our institutions, empower our youth, and pursue true federalism. That’s the only way we can truly fulfill the promise of our nationhood,” he said.