Nigeria at 63: Independence ceases to be reason for fanfare

This year’s Independence Day in Nigeria, marking the 63rd anniversary of the country’s sovereignty, will be the 11th low-key celebration in the last 13 years. The theme for the 2023 Independence Day Anniversary is ‘Nigeria @ 63: Renewed Hope for Unity & Prosperity.’ However, this year’s celebration will remain low-key due to economic constraints, as announced by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

Low-key Independence Day celebrations have become a common practice in recent years. Previously, Independence Day was a grand national celebration marked with festivities, parades, and merrymaking across the country. However, the significance of the day seems to have faded in the eyes of many Nigerians, especially those born after independence in 1960.

Various factors contribute to the low-key celebrations, with insecurity and economic challenges playing significant roles. Security concerns, economic constraints, and cost-cutting have often been cited as reasons for scaling back the festivities.

Several Nigerians, including prominent figures, have expressed the view that there is little to celebrate on Independence Day. Widespread issues such as unemployment, insecurity, infrastructure decay, and the lack of tangible progress and achievements have led to a decline in the enthusiasm for celebrating Nigeria’s independence.

Many Nigerians argue that the current economic situation and the challenges facing the country make elaborate celebrations inappropriate. As a result, low-key Independence Day events have become more aligned with the public sentiment in recent years.