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Nigeria at 65: How Military Shadows Still Haunt Democracy.
According to Nivo News, Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary has reignited national reflections on the country’s turbulent history and stalled development. Images of jubilant children waving the green-white-green flag in 1960 once symbolized hope, unity, and an unbroken promise of progress. Yet, decades later, that optimism has been overshadowed by political instability, military coups, a bloody civil war, and years of authoritarian rule that left deep scars on the nation’s democratic journey.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
General Yakubu Gowon’s post-war declaration of “no victor, no vanquished” and his promise of reconciliation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction remain largely unfulfilled. Analysts argue that his administration’s lack of foresight, particularly the careless remark that Nigeria’s problem was not money but how to spend it, laid the foundation for the mismanagement of national wealth during the oil boom. The culture of waste and corruption established under successive military regimes, experts note, continues to haunt civilian governments.
Since returning to democracy in 1999, Nigeria has enjoyed 26 uninterrupted years of civilian rule. However, political actors, many shaped by military influence, still reflect authoritarian tendencies in governance, including disregard for democratic values, electoral violence, and misuse of security forces. Analysts maintain that the “do-or-die” attitude that defines Nigerian politics today is a direct legacy of military intervention.
Despite modest gains in sectors such as infrastructure and the economy, Nigeria continues to underperform in health, education, agriculture, and gender equity, consistently falling below United Nations benchmarks. Widespread poverty, poor human capital development, and the “brain drain” of skilled citizens seeking opportunities abroad highlight systemic failures.
Observers insist that Nigeria at 65 must shed the “military hangover” that still dominates its politics. For democracy to thrive, political parties must embrace inclusivity, accountability, and clear ideological direction, while campaign financing must be regulated to prevent undue influence by moneyed elites. Women must also be given equitable access to leadership roles beyond token representation.
As commentators put it, democracy must be run by the rules, and violators of electoral laws must face consequences to restore public confidence. With abundant natural and human resources, analysts believe Nigeria’s future lies in prioritizing education, healthcare, technology, and security reforms. At 65, the nation must stop making excuses and take decisive steps toward genuine democratic consolidation and development.
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, on Thursday inspected security deployments at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the inspection is part of proactive measures to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and hitch-free conduct of the ongoing examinations.
The UTME is scheduled to run nationwide from April 16 to 18, 2026.
During the exercise, CP Sanusi assessed security arrangements put in place to safeguard candidates, examination officials, and CBT facilities.
He also engaged with centre supervisors, assuring them of adequate security presence throughout the examination period.
Adeh added that the CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, warning that any attempt to disrupt the examinations would be met with decisive action in line with the law.
Over 700 former terrorists who have undergone deradicalisation and rehabilitation are set to be reintegrated into their communities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian military has also dismissed reports alleging that beneficiaries of Operation Safe Corridor are being recruited into military institutions.
According to African Independent Television, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, made this known during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.
He said many Nigerians still misunderstand the Federal Government’s structured counter-terrorism initiative, which is designed to restore peace in communities affected by insurgency.
Brigadier-General Ali explained that the programme focuses on rehabilitation and peaceful reintegration of repentant individuals into society.
During the tour, some of the participants also shared accounts of their involvement in offences that led to their admission into the programme.
The facility inspection was part of preparations for the graduation of over 700 clients who have completed the deradicalisation and rehabilitation process and are set for reintegration.
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