Opinion

True Freedom Is Earned, Not Borrowed: A Wake-Up Call for Nigerian Leaders

By Yahaya Abdulrahman 

As tensions unfold in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Iran, a profound lesson emerges — one that resonates far beyond the region: true sovereignty is not granted; it is earned and defended. Nations that are unable or unwilling to assert their independence inevitably become vulnerable to foreign control, ridicule, or pity.

Iran’s controversial but assertive stance in defense of its national interests highlights a reality many developing nations often ignore: the global order respects strength — political, economic, and technological. Any country that lacks these pillars becomes subject to external dictates, no matter its political flag or national anthem.

Nigeria: A Giant Still on Its Knees

This lesson is especially timely for Nigeria, a country abundantly blessed with natural and human resources, yet still struggling with dependency, underdevelopment, and external manipulation. While our leaders attend global summits and seek recognition, the country continues to rely heavily on foreign loans, grants, and donor-driven policies that too often come with strings attached — including painful austerity measures that punish the most vulnerable Nigerians.

The recent hardship endured by Nigerians under policies like fuel subsidy removal and currency devaluation are not mere economic reforms — they are symptoms of a deeper crisis: our unwillingness to chart an independent course.

We must ask ourselves — why is Nigeria, with:

over 70 million hectares of fertile land,

vast mineral reserves including oil, gas, gold, and lithium,

a vibrant, intelligent, and youthful population,

still living at the mercy of international creditors ?.

Corruption: The Silent Saboteur

The answer is not far-fetched. Beyond weak institutions, the greatest threat to Nigeria’s development is corruption — a system where public office is used for personal gain rather than public service. For decades, successive governments have looted national resources, stifled genuine reforms, and prioritized private enrichment over national progress.

We cannot continue to steal and borrow our way into the future. Nations do not become great through corruption — they become poor, unstable, and dependent.

Until our leaders recognize that true legacy lies in building systems, not personal wealth, Nigeria will remain stagnant — a giant in name, but crippled in action.

A Call for Real Leadership

What Nigeria needs now is not more debt or foreign handouts, but a new kind of leadership — one that:

Sees public service as sacrifice, not privilege;

Invests in home-grown solutions, not quick foreign fixes;

Harnesses our natural and human capital, rather than exporting jobs and importing basics;

Builds indigenous technology to solve local problems;

Prioritizes productivity over consumption, and self-reliance over dependency.

Building from Within

If nations like Iran — facing decades of sanctions and isolation — can still develop a strong military, home-built technology, and national pride, what excuse do we have ?.

We must shift our focus from merely surviving to strategically thriving. Agriculture, solid minerals, manufacturing, energy, ICT, and creative industries all present untapped opportunities for growth — if only our leaders will rise to the moment.

Final Thought

The time has come for Nigerian leaders to stop mortgaging our sovereignty for loans and grants that erode our future. We must move away from the shameful cycle of dependency and toward a future built on strength, resilience, and vision.

True freedom is not borrowed. It is built, defended, and preserved.

Nigeria has the land. Nigeria has the talent. Nigeria has the spirit. What we urgently need is the political will and moral courage to take our destiny into our own hands — and earn the kind of freedom and respect we truly deserve.

Yahaya Abdulrahman is a concerned Nigerian citizen, freelance writer, and advocate for national development. He writes from Nasarawa, Nasarawa State, Nigeria and can be reached on ibnyahya02@gmail.com