“Fear no forest because it is dense.” — African proverb

It is hard to recall a period when Nigerians worried as much about the country’s future as we do today. For the first seven decades until independence, we were a British colony—a vast, diverse, and resource-rich entity shaped primarily for colonial profit. As we approached freedom, optimism was high, but the challenges of diversity, compromise, and governance loomed large.

Soon after independence, Nigeria’s democratic potential faltered. Military rule hijacked national development for over three decades, including a devastating civil war whose scars linger. Control of state resources bred massive corruption and a self-serving elite. Political instability, economic mismanagement, and declining institutions eroded national confidence.

Internal threats multiplied. Boko Haram emerged from a minor religious insurgency in Borno into a powerful terror network, exposing weaknesses in northern leadership, security apparatus, and governance. In the South-East, secessionist tensions strained the Nigerian state while local elites struggled between regional loyalty and national participation. In the South-South, organized violence around oil and gas resources became a national bargaining tool.

Violence, injustice, and impunity became routine. Citizens lived amid kidnapping, herder-farmer conflicts, and lawlessness, while young people grew up in fear, losing faith in the state. Millions of skilled Nigerians emigrated, further weakening the country.

President Tinubu inherited this deeply flawed system. While pursuing economic reform, insecurity escalated, intensified by international scrutiny and threats—most notably from former US President Trump over alleged attacks on Christians. Communities fear banditry, school closures, and rising crime.

The nation looks to leadership for reassurance. Citizens need Tinubu to assert authority, restore confidence, and engage effectively with global partners to prevent further deterioration. Trust has been asked for; now Nigeria demands decisive leadership.