By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
As Nigeria celebrates 65 years of independence, the United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNA-N), Abuja Branch, has urged leaders at all levels to renew their commitment to building a more accountable, inclusive, and just society for all citizens.
In a statement marking the nation’s independence anniversary, the Association noted that while the milestone calls for celebration, it also provides an opportunity for sober reflection on Nigeria’s journey and the challenges still confronting the country.
“Indeed, we have reasons to celebrate as a nation, but there remain questions demanding urgent answers across the economy, security, civil liberties, and democracy,” the statement read.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.3 percent in the second quarter of 2024, down from 5 percent earlier in the year. However, the UNA-N observed that these figures mask deeper inequalities, as over 38.9 percent of Nigerians were estimated to be living below the international poverty line in 2023. Many citizens, it stressed, continue to survive on insecure, poorly paid, or informal jobs that do little to ensure dignity or upward mobility.
On security, the Association highlighted persistent threats to lives and property, noting frequent cases of mass killings and abductions in both urban and rural communities. The killing of broadcast journalist Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu earlier this year, it said, underscores the grim realities faced by many Nigerians.
The group also drew attention to Nigeria’s human rights record, citing the 2024 Annual Human Rights Report which documented widespread violations, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions, and police brutality.
On democracy and civil liberties, UNA-N pointed to Nigeria’s score of 44 out of 100 in the 2025 Freedom in the World Index, categorizing the country as “partly free.” The report particularly faulted restrictions on freedom of expression, political association, and the press, noting that journalists, activists, and dissenting voices are frequently harassed or intimidated.
While commending ongoing government efforts to reposition the economy, the Association called for bolder reforms to ensure inclusivity and fairness. It urged the adoption of policies that not only reduce unemployment on paper but also uplift those trapped in subsistence work.
Furthermore, the UNA-N emphasized the urgent need to strengthen security institutions, improve coordination across national, state, and local levels, and curb recurring violence, kidnappings, and vigilante abuses.
The Association also advocated greater inclusion of women in leadership, transparency in the management of national resources, and a leadership recruitment process anchored on merit. Most importantly, it stressed the need for governments to guarantee civil liberties, protect critical voices in the media, and ensure accountability for rights violations.
“Sixty-five years on, we celebrate, but more importantly, we must recommit,” the Association declared. “Let independence be a renewed contract between the people and those who govern—for inclusivity, equity, and dignity.”
