Fayemi, Ihua Call For Citizen-Focused National Rebirth

The search for a citizen-focused national rebirth and transformation of Nigeria intensified on Thursday when major stakeholders gathered at the NAF centre in Abuja to chart a new course for the nation deep in distress.

The occasion was the National Social Cohesion Dialogue (#NSCD2025) Unveiling of the 2025 Nigeria social cohesion survey report, organised by Africa Polling Institute (API) with support from the Ford Foundation. The theme was “rebuilding citizens’ trust and public confidence in government and public institutions.”

Leading the discussion was former governor of Rivers State Rotimi Amaechi, who, during his remarks, blamed the citizens for the current state of the nation, even as he accused them of failing to rise to the occasion and stop the elite that have corrupted the nation and bled it to stupor.

The former minister of transportation emphasised that elites in Nigeria are aware of the struggles of the ordinary people, but citizens must take responsibility for their empowerment.

Amaechi highlighted the importance of economic empowerment in reducing crime and improving society. As a former governor, he ensured that contractors were paid on time, which helped to stimulate economic activity and reduce crime. “By paying workers and suppliers, the government can inject money into the economy and create a ripple effect that benefits many people,” he said.

He charged the citizens to follow the example of the people of Bangladesh, who mobilised despite deaths and injuries and ousted the government of Sheikh Hasina and sent her into exile. He stressed that revolution is still possible in Nigeria if the people are united behind a common cause and make the necessary sacrifices.

The chairman of the occasion, Dr. John Kayode-Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti State, said that the conversation around social cohesion in Nigeria is crucial for the country’s future, democracy, and governance.

He lamented the social disconnects, particularly along ethnic, religious, and regional lines, stressing that Nigeria faces significant challenges in building social cohesion and has deep divisions along ethnic, spiritual, and economic lines.

He also expressed concern about the widening gap between the rich and the poor as a major cause of the crisis, even as he emphasised the need to re-examine the country’s values and education system, which he believes creates an elite class detached from the masses.

Dr. Fayemi warned that the greatest danger facing Nigeria today is the loss of humanity, citing the increasing violence and lack of empathy in society, emphasising the need for continuous conversation around social cohesion, trust deficit, and shared prosperity.

The Executive Director of the Africa Polling Institute (API), Professor Bell Ihua, disclosed that the API has been conducting annual national surveys on social cohesion since 2019, and the fourth survey round has just been released.

According to him, the report highlights two key findings, including low trust in government. Citizens have low trust in the current government, with 83% of Nigerians saying they have little to no confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government, 80% in the National Assembly, and 79% in the judiciary.

He noted that the citizens are united in their struggles due to economic realities, with many coalescing around shared challenges.

“The survey also highlights issues of identity, social justice, and civic participation that must be addressed.

Professor Bell Ihua says the government needs to take action to rebuild trust, citing the constitution’s section on government responsibility to citizens.

He recommended that the government implement policies to address economic challenges and prioritise policies that address poverty, insecurity, and the high cost of living.

“The National Social Cohesion Dialogue 2025 aims to discuss these issues and find solutions to improve social cohesion in Nigeria”, he said.

Guest Speaker Dr Sam Amadi, Director of Abuja School of Social and Political Thought and Professor at Baze University, expressed the near hopelessness of the Nigerian situation because of low trust, institutional decay, and a crisis of values.