Twenty Good Things About Nigeria: A Birthday List

Let’s get something straight: Every Nigerian is in a love-hate relationship with this country. This is an open secret. Every October 1, we celebrate Nigeria’s independence; and, yearly so do we also ask ourselves the same question: What exactly are we celebrating?

At N1450/litre, this is a fair question. We have our share of insecurity, unemployment, failing infrastructure, inflation and political disappointments. Sometimes, loving Nigeria feels like being in a long-distance toxic relationship with someone who keeps promising to change.

These days, I choose positivity. It’s either that or chronic depression. So as Nigeria turns 66, here are 66 reasons to be grateful that this country exists.

The first ten reasons are about us as a people and our identity. Number one is our humour; even in the face of hardship, Nigerians still find a way to laugh. Sometimes, the jokes are better than the policies. In fact, scientists are even claiming that we have a ‘happy gene’. Two; our diversity: More than 250 ethnic groups, hundreds of languages and countless traditions make Nigeria a remarkable cultural mosaic. Third is our resilience: Nigerians have mastered the art of surviving circumstances that would make others throw in the towel. The fourth is our hospitality. I believe Nigerians are the most hospitable people in the entire world. From Kano to Calabar, strangers can become family over a plate of food. Whenever we are hosting conferences, we go out of our way to make foreigners feel welcome. But you see others? You will travel all the way to London for a conference, and the host conference wouldn’t bother to send people to meet you at the airport and worse yet, will serve cold sandwiches for lunch.

fifth is our ingenuity: give a Nigerian a problem and a few resources, and watch innovation happen. Number six is our entrepreneurial spirit. From roadside traders to tech founders, Nigerians know how to create opportunities. To us, everything is a business venture. Everything is for sale: driver’s licence, vehicle insurance, birth certificate, death certificate, immunization certificate, everything!

Number seven is our sense of community: When tragedy strikes, Nigerians often mobilise to support each other. This leads us to number eight: our generosity. We give, share, contribute and show up for people, often without being asked.

Number nine is our languages: Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulfulde, Kanuri, Tiv, and so many others carry histories and identities worth preserving. We are so diverse, it’s unbelievable! Then number ten is our ability to adapt: Nigerians have learnt to navigate uncertainty with extraordinary resourcefulness.

Number eleven is Nollywood. Whether we like it or not, our film industry tells Nigerian stories to audiences across Africa and beyond. Then of course, number twelve is our Afrobeats: Nigerian music has become a global cultural export. Davido et al have done wonders for our reputation.

Number thirteen is our literature. Where do I even start from? I love, love, love Nigerian literature. Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and many others have taken Nigerian stories to the world.

Number fourteen is of course our healthcare professionals. Despite enormous challenges, Nigerian doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health workers continue to serve with dedication. And of course, many also contribute to global health systems, taking Nigerian expertise across borders.

Number fifteen is our sporting achievements. From the Super Eagles’ triumphs at the Africa Cup of Nations to the Dream Team’s historic Olympic gold in 1996 and the Super Falcons’ dominance in African women’s football, sport has given us moments of collective pride. Number sixteen is our creative fashion industry. Ankara, adire, agbada and contemporary Nigerian designs have found audiences around the world. Our designers are not simply making clothes; they are exporting identity, culture and confidence.

Number seventeen is our youthful population. Nigeria’s young people are ambitious, innovative and increasingly connected to global opportunities. They are building businesses, creating content, developing technology and challenging conventional thinking.

Number eighteen is our public health achievements: Nigeria’s certification as free of wild poliovirus in 2020 was a major public health milestone. Our Ebola response in 2014 is also something to be immensely proud of. It reflected years of commitment from health workers, communities, government agencies and international partners.

Number nineteen is our education and intellectual capital. I know we complain a lot but the truth is our universities and research institutions have produced generations of professionals, scholars and leaders who contribute to national development and global knowledge, often despite limited resources.

Number nineteen is our natural beauty and resources. From the hills of Mambilla to the waterfalls of Erin-Ijesha and the forests and coastlines across the country, Nigeria has extraordinary natural attractions. Our agricultural and mineral resources also offer opportunities for sustainable development.

Number twenty is our possibility. Perhaps the greatest thing about Nigeria is that its story is still being written. Our challenges are real, but so are our talents, resources, creativity and capacity for change. A better Nigeria is not an impossible dream; it is a responsibility we share.

Celebrating Nigeria does not mean ignoring the hardship of families struggling to survive, the pain of communities affected by insecurity or the frustration of young people searching for opportunities. Patriotism should never demand silence. But neither should our disappointments blind us to what is worth preserving and building upon.

Nigeria isn’t just the government in Abuja. It is the nurse working a night shift, the farmer feeding a community, the teacher in a rural classroom, the researcher searching for solutions and the young entrepreneur daring to dream.

Happy Independence Day, Nigeria. May the next chapter give us even more reasons to celebrate.