12/06/2026
Are we truly a democratic nation?
On paper the answer is yes.
Democracy is simple: government of the people, by the people, and for the people.
It suggests a system where power comes from citizens, leaders are chosen by citizens, and governance exists to serve the welfare and interests of the people.
But in reality, are we experiencing the definition, or just repeating it?
Looking around us, are we truly enjoying the benefits of democracy?
My younger sister attended Government Girls Secondary School Kaiama as a science. Yet from SS1 to SS2, there was no Chemistry teacher. When she got to the University as a Pure and Applied Chemistry student in her year 1 to keep up, she had to spend over 24 hours every week teaching herself.
I strongly oppose examination malpractice. But honestly, if students are not taught, what exactly are they expected to write?
A few months back I walked into a General Hospital’s Emergency ward because I didn't quite know my way.
A pregnant woman, so weak she couldn’t walk and was throwing up, arrives in a wheelchair, only to be told there is no available bed.
Only registration can take up to two hours.
What is even more painful is seeing VIP options in the public hospital with clear banners while others are struggling to access basic healthcare.
The sad reality is that the moment a facility is "public" in Nigeria it is commissioned and neglected.
Every day, people suffer, people go missing. Some stories make it online; countless others never do
We must hold leaders accountable. Yes!!!
But while demanding better governance, we must also recognize our own responsibility.
A better Nigeria will not emerge from the Government alone.
It will come from citizens who refuse to look away, who support education, help their communities, mentor young people, report wrongdoing, and contribute wherever they can.
I saw a clip of bandits' related account doing give away on Tiktok and Nigerian citizens were sending their account details and some people came online to testify they received the money.
Even the people who are to vote for a leader are unreasonable, how sad.
How did we even get here???
Let's stop waiting for someone else to fix Nigeria.
Let's become part of the solution.
The Nigeria we desire begins with the responsibility we are willing to take today.
So what should we say now…Happy Democracy??
Ikuromo Diriyai