NIGERIA AT 62: DEPENDENCE OR INDEPENDENCE

Name: Adeojo Samuel Oladeji Department: Economics Level: 400 Level Nigeria At 62: Dependence or Independence Nigeria had her political independence on October 1st, 1960 from the British Government, and ever since then, the full responsibility for the country's welfare was placed on the government and people of Nigeria. She turned 62 years old on October 1st of 2022. That is worth celebrating elaborately, not just seeing it as a norm. The country started with a population of roughly 43 million in 1960, but now, the country’s population has grown to about 180 million according to the 2010 population census. That, however, is where the majority of the country’s massive problems originated from, plus the fact that many of the leaders in the country, both the military and civilian governments, were enormously corrupt. Amidst all odds, if we decide to go back to how this country came to being, you will agree with me that Nigeria could be tagged as an independent country. However, I strongly believe Nigeria is an independent country as it drives the affairs of the economy herself even though it is being driven by the wrong hands which are prone to happen. Moreover, the issue is from the leaders as they fail to take into consideration the suggestions of the people, especially the youths of the country. In the real sense, what do we mean by being independent or dependent? Independence is when one does not have to rely on something or somebody, but on themselves in the aspect of the resources (physical and human). Dependence, on the other hand, is when someone does have to rely on something or somebody else. They may not be able to get by without whatever or whoever they are dependent on. Being Independent may also refer to somebody different from everybody else. His thoughts, beliefs, and actions are not dependent on everybody else’s thoughts, beliefs, and actions. He thinks and acts for himself. Economically, there is never a doubt that we are sinking deeper into dependence. We import a large percentage of manufactured products, including refined petroleum products, all because of grossly mixed-up inconsistent policies by various administrations and also mismanagement of resources. But I'll classify these as international trade which, however, helps to smoothen the relationships between countries. So, it's a norm to trade with other countries in as much as it is not a closed economy (Autarky). Embracing Western education isn't a factor in making Nigeria dependent since it helps to build our people and expose us to what will be profitable to us. But the major problem is that we are abandoning both the good and the bad aspects of our ways of life for the Western, including those aspects of Western culture that debase the dignity of man. Only if we could rethink for ourselves, think on our own, and have a good and responsible leader who will be able to implement policies that will help maximize our resources and embrace our motherland's culture.