As Nigeria marked its 66th Independence anniversary on October 1, 2026, attention once again turned to the country’s journey since independence, its achievements, challenges and the people who continue to shape its future.
Speaking in Lugbe, FCT Abuja, on October 1, Cos Anyanwu, Public Opinion Analyst, offered a perspective that placed Nigerians themselves at the centre of the Independence Day celebration.
According to Anyanwu, while Nigeria’s leadership challenges cannot be ignored, the remarkable achievements of Nigerians both within the country and across the world deserve equal recognition.
“For me, I think Nigeria has done so well in the past 66 years, especially Nigerians. We’ve seen how far Nigerians have come.”
He described Nigeria as a country richly endowed with both human and natural resources, arguing that the global achievements of Nigerians demonstrate the depth of talent and potential within the country.
A key part of his argument was the growing presence of Nigerians in different parts of the world. From the United States and United Kingdom to Canada and Australia, he pointed to Nigerians making significant contributions across several professional fields.
“If you go anywhere in the world, one of those ten professionals doing mad things, mighty things, is a Nigerian.”
He specifically highlighted Nigerians making contributions in areas such as science, law and other professional disciplines, saying their accomplishments provide evidence of the enormous human capacity associated with the country.
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For Anyanwu, therefore, Independence Day should not be viewed solely through the lens of political leadership. While acknowledging criticisms surrounding Nigeria’s leadership over the years, he argued that the story of the country should also recognise what ordinary Nigerians have achieved despite those difficulties.
“People focus on one aspect: leadership. ‘Oh, Nigeria has good leaders.’ Yeah, I mean, it’s true. You cannot argue that. But away from that, you see that Nigerians have come along.”
He said the achievements of Nigerians become even more significant when considered against the challenges the country has faced since independence.
In his view, Nigeria’s progress should therefore be measured not only by the performance of its governments, but also by the resilience, creativity and accomplishments of its citizens.
“Despite bad leadership, at just 66 years, look at what Nigerians have achieved. Nigeria as a whole has achieved.”
As the country celebrated 66 years of independence, Anyanwu’s message was ultimately a call to recognise the Nigerian people as an important part of the nation’s story—a story marked not only by political challenges, but also by resilience, talent and achievements that continue to extend far beyond Nigeria’s borders.
