At 65, Nigeria stands tall in population, rich in resources, and still celebrated as the Giant of Africa. Yet, beyond the slogans and ceremonial parades, the question lingers: What have we truly achieved since independence?

Today’s world shows us sovereignty is no longer guaranteed by flags and national anthems. From Russia-Ukraine to Israel-Palestine, the battlefield has expanded. Wars are fought not only with bullets but with sanctions, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and diplomatic isolation. In this new era, sovereignty must be comprehensive – economic, defence, border, political, and legal. Without these, independence risks becoming little more than symbolism.

Economic Sovereignty is Nigeria’s Achilles heel. The country’s greatest weakness remains its dependence on imports. We export crude but import refined fuel, import rice despite arable land, and even import pencils and toothpicks. This dependency hollows out sovereignty.

The path forward is clear: Firstly, make local manufacturing a national priority. Low-cost, high-quality local production can generate millions of jobs and anchor exports. Secondly, guarantee food and energy security. No nation is truly free if it cannot feed its people or power its industries. Thirdly, demand local content from foreign companies. Any global firm doing business here must register locally, employ Nigerians, and build capacity. Economic sovereignty is not an option; it is survival. Without it, every external shock becomes a national crisis.

Similarly, a sovereign nation cannot subcontract its defence. We must own our own shield. Nigeria must invest in indigenous arms production – land, sea, and air. Even if crude at the start, local capacity will improve with time. Beyond pride, it builds deterrence, creates jobs, and spurs technological progress. Our security will never be safe if it depends on the goodwill of foreign suppliers.

Nigeria must also guard the gates. Porous borders bleed Nigeria’s wealth and security. Smuggling, trafficking, and illegal arms flows weaken the state daily. We must invest in modern surveillance, maritime patrols, and regional cooperation. Borders are not just lines on a map — they are lifelines of sovereignty.

Moreover, the country’s democracy must be practiced beyond rhetoric. Nigeria’s independence promised self-rule. But political sovereignty remains compromised by corruption, weak institutions, and external meddling. True sovereignty requires strengthening democracy, deepening inclusive governance, and putting national interest above political patronage. Internationally, Nigeria must shed the image of a perpetual petitioner. Our size and potential demand that we act as a respected African voice in global affairs. Leadership is earned, not begged.

Sovereignty also rests on strong legal foundations. The rule of law is our shield. Nigeria must protect its citizens, secure its resources, and negotiate fairly with the world. At home, the rule of law must stop being negotiable. Abroad, Nigeria must insist on global rules that treat Africa as equal partners, not pawns.

It is noteworthy that no blueprint for sovereignty will succeed if corruption continues unchecked. But it is the silent war we refuse to fight. For too long, we have reduced it to slogans. This must change. We must treat corruption as economic sabotage, as dangerous as treason. Past offenders could be offered conditional forgiveness if they return stolen wealth — but permanently barred from public office. Going forward, zero tolerance must be enforced. A nation that cannot protect its economy from its own people cannot claim sovereignty from outsiders.

And because no nation is truly sovereign in isolation, Nigeria must cultivate a loyal circle of African allies. If one African country is attacked — militarily, economically or diplomatically — the continent must respond collectively. Unity is our only real defence against external partition.

This means diversifying trade partners to avoid dangerous dependence; building centres of excellence in medicine, engineering, and technology and establishing innovation hubs — from science parks to cybersecurity “hackers’ clubs” —that prepare Nigeria for 21st-century battles.

Sixty-five years on, independence cannot just be about parades and nostalgia. It must mean something deeper: The ability to protect ourselves, feed ourselves, defend ourselves, govern ourselves, and negotiate on our own terms.

If we fail, others will partition us — not by drawing new borders, but by seizing our economy, controlling our politics, and shaping our destiny. If we succeed, Nigeria can finally live up to its title as the Giant of Africa, not in words but in substance.

The choice is ours. Nigeria, my country, my pride — but at 65, will we finally take our sovereignty seriously?
Dr Okoroafor wrote from the United Kingdom.