Known as the Giant of Africa, it’s often said that if Nigeria sneezes, the rest of Africa catches a cold. With over 220 million people and a wealth of physical and natural resources, Nigeria should be a giant striding forward but instead, in comparison to other nations, our economy moves like the tortoise in the famous “tortoise and the hare” folktale. The economy, despite our potential, has been held back by over-dependence on oil, corruption, and infrastructure gaps. The question is, how do we go from slow to fast?  From stuck to unstoppable?

Historically, Nigeria’s economy had agriculture as its backbone producing and exporting crops such as groundnuts, palm oil, rubber and even cocoa but since the 1950’s it has become a one-legged stool, balancing precariously on oil revenues. While this brought short-term wealth, it failed to foster a sustainable foundation for growth and development. With global energy transitions and oil prices fluctuating like the Naira or Lagos traffic, this dependency is no longer a viable plan. But, let’s be honest: it never was. The way forward is simply reformation and diversification.

First, we must look to our roots. Agriculture, once the backbone of our economy, has been sidelined. Reviving this sector could create millions of jobs and put food on our tables, but how will we farm with the rate of insurgency and “unknown gunmen” attacks on farmers. Beyond farming, technology is the new goldmine. Nigeria, being home to one of Africa’s largest tech hubs, must increase investment in this thriving sector to produce more and keep crops and farmers safe in order to leap into the future.

However, this isn’t just about sectors; it’s about people, it’s about us, Nigerians. We need to equip Nigerians with the education and skills to compete globally. Think of it as sharpening a cutlass before heading into the bush. Proper mind shift is key.

Then there’s the elephant in the room: CORRUPTION. If we’re serious about moving forward, we must slay this beast. Strong institutions, transparency, accountability and a dependable judiciary are not optional; they’re non-negotiable. Citizens and Leaders, we all must be held accountable for our every action.

With the right mix of diversification, human capital investment, and governance reforms, Nigeria can become the giant it was always meant to be at this time with both feet firmly planted. The way forward is clear, the time for action is now and we can do this. I believe in Nigeria.