As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence today, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration and state governments to genuinely commit to building a country where democracy translates into security, dignity, economic opportunity, accountable governance and a better quality of life for all Nigerians.
The organisation acknowledged the resilience of Nigerians and the progress recorded since independence, including the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999 and more than two decades of uninterrupted civilian government. But it argued that, judging by whether citizens can live safely, participate meaningfully in government, afford basic necessities and trust public institutions to work in their interest, Nigeria’s democratic journey has not succeeded.
CAPPA in a statement signed by
Robert Egbe, Media and Communications Officer,
lamented that for many citizens, Independence Day has come to mean little more than an acknowledgement of the country’s political existence, with many ordinary Nigerians frustrated into seeking a second address abroad or planning to flee the country entirely.
The group, therefore, urged government to see the anniversary as an opportunity to honestly reflect on the distance between the promises at Independence and the stark realities confronting millions of Nigerians.
The organisation noted that the country approaches its 66th anniversary at a difficult moment for many households. Despite the Federal Government’s emphasis on economic reforms, stabilisation and renewed growth, poverty, food insecurity and pressure on household incomes remain serious concerns. The International Monetary Fund reported in June that 63 per cent of Nigerians were living below the national poverty line, while an estimated 27 million Nigerians faced food insecurity in late 2025.
CAPPA further said the government’s own stated ambition of moving from reform and stabilisation towards shared prosperity must now be measured against the lived experience of ordinary Nigerians.
“Beyond statistics and policy announcements, Nigerians need to feel the difference in their pockets, homes, communities, workplaces and markets,” CAPPA said.
The organisation urged the government to make the welfare of citizens a central measure of economic policy by prioritising affordable food, the implementation of a living wage and provision of decent jobs, accessible healthcare, quality education, reliable electricity, public water and social protection.
“Economic reforms should not be considered successful merely because they improve government revenues, attract investment or strengthen macroeconomic indicators. Their ultimate test should be whether they improve household incomes, reduce hardship, expand opportunities and protect vulnerable Nigerians from being pushed deeper into poverty,” CAPPA added.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, CAPPA said Nigeria has an opportunity to strengthen the democratic institutions that determine how citizens choose their leaders and hold them accountable.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for 16 January 2027, followed by the governorship and State House of Assembly elections on 6 February 2027.
CAPPA urged the Federal Government, INEC, political parties, security agencies and other stakeholders to ensure that the elections are peaceful, transparent, credible and inclusive. It described as troubling allegations of vote-buying, undue influence, intimidation, and other electoral offences in the just concluded Osun State Guber polls.