The executive director of the Centre for African Policy Research and Advisory, Dr Segun Adebayo, has cautioned that Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary should not be celebrated with mere graphics and rhetoric when the nation remains heavily dependent on foreign systems for survival.
In a statement on Nigeria’s Independence Day, Dr Adebayo posed questions that challenge the nation’s claim to true sovereignty.
“I’m seeing loads of fancy graphics on our Independence all over the internet. Sixty-five years ago, the day the colonial flags came down and ours rose, it signalled our independence. But are we truly independent?” he asked.
He argued that foreign dominance continues to shape Nigeria’s education, economy, healthcare, and policy frameworks.
“With all the American, British, and Chinese curricula used to raise our children, leading to the mass export of our young, are we independent? Are we independent of the heavy dependence on Western non-state actors as policy consultants, plugged into our policy development framework?”
The policy expert also criticised the political class for their reliance on Western health systems, while neglecting local healthcare infrastructure.
He said, “With the constant dependence on Western healthcare systems by the elites who prioritise their health over the citizens who may never know the road to the closest airport, are we independent?”
On Nigeria’s economic struggles, Dr Adebayo stressed that foreign loans, GMO seeds, and dependence on imported goods undermine the essence of independence.
“With an economy fully dependent on foreign exchange, are we independent? With our natural seeds‘ abandonment and an aggressive push for foreign-patented hybrid and GMO seeds that will create a life-long dependency on the West for staple food, are we independent? With the constant running after international loans conditioned on promoting Western policies and agendas in Nigeria, are we independent?” he stated.
He lamented the deliberate underfunding of local universities, forcing elites to send their children abroad while stifling domestic research.
The policy expert further warned that Africa’s image is shaped externally while its resources power foreign economies.
“With media narratives on Africa largely shaped by Western outlets, while our own journalists are made to echo those same voices, destroying our image at home and abroad, are we independent? With our mineral wealth flowing abroad to power foreign industries, while our youths remain unemployed at home, are we independent?” he added.
