Nigeria at 65: Reforms, Resilience, and the Road Ahead

As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, the nation stands at a critical juncture, navigating a path of tough economic reforms. President Bola Tinubu’s reforms—scrapping fuel subsidies and unifying exchange rates—aim to stabilize the economy, but have driven inflation to historic highs, leaving half the population in multidimensional poverty. This economic pressure compounds other persistent challenges, including a severe food crisis, a fragile electrical grid, and one of Africa’s highest maternal mortality rates. While recent counter-terrorism victories offer hope, experts warn that the nation’s stability hinges on improving public welfare and ensuring the integrity of future elections. Without these, they argue, Africa’s most populous nation cannot achieve true economic freedom and sustainable development.

The Conversation