So maybe the conversation we need to have is this: how do we move from coping to improving? How do we shift from managing problems to solving them?
Because at the end of the day, a better Nigeria is not an abstract idea. It’s something that should reflect in the small, everyday experiences of its people. What’s one “normal” thing in your daily routine that you believe shouldn’t actually be normal?
The average Nigerian is not asking for too much. People want to work, earn honestly, and live with some level of comfort and dignity. That’s a fair expectation anywhere in the world. What’s encouraging, though, is that despite everything, people still show up. They still try. They still build, create, and support one another. That spirit is something we should not lose. At the same time, it’s important that we don’t let resilience replace responsibility. We can appreciate how strong people are while still asking for better systems.
They told us if we work hard, we’ll make it. But nobody told us that in Nigeria the real story is different, hard work alone isn’t enough. You can graduate with a good degree, learn skills, hustle day and night. and still struggle to afford basic living. Meanwhile, those with connections skip the line. So the question is: are we really failing as individuals, or is the system designed to make us feel like failures?