As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence on October 1, 2026, the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has called on the Federal Government and state governments to make citizens’ welfare, security, dignity and democratic participation central to governance.
The organisation, in a statement by its Media and Communications Officer, Robert Egbe, said the anniversary should serve as an opportunity for the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration and state governments to assess whether Nigeria’s democratic journey has translated into meaningful improvements in the lives of citizens.
CAPPA acknowledged Nigerians’ resilience and the progress recorded since independence, including the return to democratic rule in 1999 and more than two decades of uninterrupted civilian government.
However, it argued that the success of democracy should also be measured by whether citizens can live safely, participate meaningfully in government, afford basic necessities and trust public institutions to work in their interest.
The organisation said many Nigerians continue to face economic hardship and insecurity, while some are increasingly considering migration in search of better opportunities.
CAPPA said the 66th anniversary therefore presented an opportunity for government to reflect on the gap between the promises of independence and the realities confronting millions of citizens.
Economic hardship remains concern
The organisation noted that Nigeria is marking the anniversary amid continuing pressure on households from poverty, food insecurity and rising living costs.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its June 2026 Article IV consultation, estimated that 63 per cent of Nigerians were living below the national poverty line and that 27 million Nigerians faced food insecurity in late 2025. The IMF also said economic reforms had improved some macroeconomic outcomes while conditions remained difficult for many Nigerians.
CAPPA said the Federal Government’s stated ambition of moving from economic reform and stabilisation towards shared prosperity should ultimately be measured by the experiences of ordinary Nigerians.
“Beyond statistics and policy announcements, Nigerians need to feel the difference in their pockets, homes, communities, workplaces and markets,” the organisation said.
It urged the government to prioritise affordable food, the implementation of a living wage, decent employment, accessible healthcare, quality education, reliable electricity, public water supply and social protection.
“Economic reforms should not be considered successful merely because they improve government revenues, attract investment or strengthen macroeconomic indicators. Their ultimate test should be whether they improve household incomes, reduce hardship, expand opportunities and protect vulnerable Nigerians from being pushed deeper into poverty,” CAPPA added.
CAPPA raises concerns ahead of 2027 elections
With the 2027 general elections approaching, CAPPA called for stronger democratic institutions and an electoral process that allows citizens to choose their leaders freely and hold them accountable.
The current INEC election calendar lists January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections and February 6, 2027, for governorship and State House of Assembly elections.
CAPPA urged the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, security agencies and other stakeholders to work towards peaceful, transparent, credible and inclusive elections.
The organisation also raised concerns over allegations of vote-buying, undue influence, intimidation and other electoral offences, calling for electoral institutions to operate independently and transparently.
It said Nigerians should be able to vote without intimidation, violence or manipulation, while urging government to address insecurity in areas where violence could prevent citizens from campaigning, reaching polling units or exercising their franchise.
CAPPA also called for greater transparency around election technology, voter registration, collation and results management, as well as timely resolution of electoral disputes.
However, the organisation stressed that democracy should extend beyond elections.
“Credible electoral processes and institutions are essential, but democracy must continue between elections. Citizens must be able to question government, demand information, organise peacefully, criticise public policy and participate in decisions that affect our lives,” it said.
CAPPA urged government to protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and civic participation, including the ability of journalists, civil society organisations, workers, students and other citizens to speak and organise without intimidation.
Referencing the National Human Rights Commission’s call for a peaceful, inclusive and rights-respecting political environment ahead of the 2027 elections, CAPPA also urged political actors to avoid ethnic and religious mobilisation, misinformation, intimidation and empty promises.
CAPPA described security as an essential democratic dividend, saying Nigeria’s progress could not be discussed without addressing insecurity across the country.
It cited insurgency, kidnapping, banditry and communal violence as threats to lives, livelihoods, education, agriculture and freedom of movement.
While acknowledging efforts by the military and other security agencies, the organisation said security agencies must operate within the law and respect human rights.
It referenced reported police attacks on peaceful protesters during anti-land-grabbing demonstrations in Lagos as an example of why citizens must be protected from both violent non-state actors and unlawful abuses by state authorities.
CAPPA called on the Federal Government and National Assembly to strengthen public institutions and reduce the concentration of political power and public resources around individual office holders.
The organisation urged stronger oversight of public expenditure, transparent procurement, open contracting and effective enforcement against corruption, stressing that public office should remain a public trust.
It also called for greater investment in education, healthcare, public water systems, agriculture and other essential services.
According to CAPPA, deterioration in public institutions should not become a justification for their commercialisation or transfer to private interests.
‘Nigeria of our dreams cannot be built by pretending’
As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, CAPPA said the country has reason to acknowledge the sacrifices, resilience and achievements that have sustained it through decades of political, economic and social challenges.
However, it said patriotism should not require citizens to remain silent about governance failures.
“The Nigeria of our dreams cannot be built by pretending that everything is working,” CAPPA said. “It will be built by confronting what is broken, fixing our institutions and ensuring that government works for the people.”
The organisation identified five immediate priorities for government: strengthening the electoral system ahead of 2027, protecting civic and democratic freedoms, making citizens’ welfare a central measure of economic policy, rebuilding public services and infrastructure, and developing a security system that protects lives, livelihoods and rights.
CAPPA also urged Nigerians to participate actively in democratic life, scrutinise political promises, demand accountability from elected officials and reject attempts to divide citizens along ethnic, religious or regional lines.
