Nations all over the world are facing their own challenges. The reality is that no country is perfect, and the world has never been an equal playing field. Every society has its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and struggles. We should acknowledge our challenges honestly while also recognising the progress, possibilities and opportunities that exist around us.
For many Nigerians living abroad, the reality eventually becomes more nuanced. Some who left the country in search of better opportunities later express a desire to return home, reconnect with family or contribute to development. This should remind us that every society comes with its own realities. What may look like “heaven” from a distance can also have challenges that are less visible from the outside.
We therefore need to have honest conversations about both government responsibility and citizens’ responsibility. The system must create more opportunities, support businesses, encourage entrepreneurship, improve infrastructure and give young people a fair chance to succeed. These are legitimate expectations of government.
At the same time, we must encourage a culture of hard work, integrity, creativity, discipline and personal responsibility. Not every young Nigerian is the same. Many are working incredibly hard despite difficult circumstances, building businesses, learning new skills, creating content, developing technology and finding legitimate ways to survive and succeed. Such people should be encouraged and supported rather than constantly discouraged by narratives that suggest nothing good can come from Nigeria.
Beyond complaining, we should ask ourselves a simple question: What are we personally doing to make things better?
How many of us are creating jobs, mentoring young people, supporting small businesses, investing in our communities or opening doors for someone who needs an opportunity? How many of us are using our knowledge, connections and resources to make another person’s journey a little easier?
I know an Ibadan-based lawyer who practically runs his chamber as the head, messenger and secretary, yet spends plenty of time complaining about the country. The frustration is understandable, but rather than simply making noise about what is wrong, imagine what could happen if each of us directed some of that energy towards helping someone else.
During my years in Nigeria, I have personally mentored and directly employed people, and I have seen how much difference one person can make in another person’s life. It may not solve every national problem, but helping one person can change an entire family’s story. A job can provide stability. Mentorship can change someone’s direction. A recommendation can open a door. A small investment can help a struggling business survive.
We should also learn to look beyond ourselves. Many of us grew up in communities that shaped, supported and encouraged us. However, once we become successful, we sometimes move to more comfortable areas and gradually forget where we came from.
Success should not make us forget our roots. It should give us the capacity to reach back and lift others. If someone helped us when we were starting out, we should be willing to become that person for someone else.
Governments have a responsibility, without question. Leaders must be held accountable, institutions must work, and citizens must continue to demand better systems. But citizens also have responsibilities. Nations are not built by governments alone. Citizens build nations too.
That is part of why I joined Rotary International and became involved, to some extent, in politics. It was not because I believed I could fix everything, but because I believe humanity needs people who are willing to contribute, serve, mentor, create opportunities and uplift others.
We should complain when necessary. We should criticise poor leadership when it deserves criticism. We should demand accountability and insist on better governance. But alongside those demands, we should also look in the mirror and ask ourselves what we are contributing.
Instead of only asking, “What is Nigeria doing for me?” perhaps we should sometimes ask, “What am I doing for Nigeria and for the people around me?”
We may not be able to change the entire country overnight. We may not have the resources to solve every national problem. But each of us has the capacity to change a life, create an opportunity, mentor someone, support a business or help another person become better positioned to succeed.
And sometimes, changing one life is where nation-building truly begins.
