As Nigeria marked its 65th Independence anniversary, the Lead Cleric of Victory Life Bible Church International, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, decried the country’s lingering struggles with basic necessities of life, urging political leaders to reconnect with the realities of ordinary Nigerians.

In his Independence Day message, Achudume said that while Nigeria had long secured political freedom from colonial rule, the essence of independence—dignity, access to social amenities, and an environment that enables citizens to thrive—remains elusive.
“At 65, it appears the only thing free in Nigeria is the air we breathe,” the cleric lamented. “We still grapple with poor access to clean water, decent housing, good roads, electricity, and opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
“Independence was supposed to be about our people, for ourselves. Sadly, it has become about a few individuals who have hijacked the commonwealth.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s leadership crisis is rooted in the disconnect between those in power and the everyday struggles of citizens. “We need leaders who know what it means to be broke, homeless, or unable to pay school fees. But what we have are leaders who, once in power, lose their humanness and forget the pains of their yesterday,” he said.

While commending the current administration’s student loan initiative as “a laudable vision,” Achudume expressed concern about sustainability, warning that corruption or political inconsistency could derail the effort, as had been the case with past empowerment programmes.

He also called on citizens to demand more from politicians rather than accept tokenistic handouts during election cycles. “Nigerians must stop taking crumbs during campaigns. One bag of rice or a packet of sugar is not what we need. We need electricity, housing support, and access to credit to live dignified lives,” he urged.

Highlighting the global success of Nigerians abroad, from the United States’ Surgeon General in Florida to leading administrators in California, Achudume wondered why the same excellence is not replicated at home. “Nigerians are some of the most intelligent people on earth. Our challenge is not capacity, but leadership that fails to harness it,” he added.

The cleric, while praying for the nation, urged both leaders and citizens to reflect on the meaning of true independence and commit to building a society that secures dignity, opportunity, and respect for all.