Nigerians remain dispossessed both at home and abroad, 64 years after gaining independence, as highlighted by Owei Lakemfa. While global events such as the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah bring the world closer to conflict, Nigerians seem unprepared for these repercussions, reflecting the country’s ongoing struggle on the global stage.

Although Nigeria faces potential threats abroad, it lacks critical diplomatic representation. Presently, there is no ambassador in Lebanon to protect Nigerian interests, and key global allies like Israel, the United States, and Iran are also without Nigerian diplomatic presence. This absence leaves the country isolated in international affairs, with diplomats idling at home due to the administration’s inability to replace recalled ambassadors.

Despite President Bola Tinubu’s ambitious Four-D foreign policy focused on Development, Demography, Democracy, and Diaspora, the lack of ambassadors has left Nigerian citizens abroad vulnerable and unrepresented. Yet, at the UN General Assembly, Nigeria’s aspirations for a permanent seat on the Security Council appear misplaced, with its diplomatic presence largely absent on the world stage.

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This diplomatic shortfall is only one reflection of the larger dispossession experienced by Nigerians within their own borders. The nation, rich in resources such as oil, finds itself incapable of adding value to these products, or even managing its refineries. Meanwhile, citizens endure soaring petrol costs—up 400% in just a year—paired with fuel scarcity and long queues. As Nigerians navigate these challenges, they also face a false federalism, in reality a unitary system where no group feels at ease.

Political mismanagement only deepens the frustration. Elections, such as the recent Edo State polls, are marked by corruption, with victory going to the highest bidder. At the same time, the National Assembly, marred by illegal allowances and padded budgets, is incapable of providing any meaningful oversight.

The most alarming challenge, however, is Nigeria’s growing insecurity. Terrorists, bandits, and separatists overrun vast regions, while the military, rather than focusing on national defense, is diverted to matters like election monitoring. Allegations of collusion between high-ranking officials and criminal elements, as seen with Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, only exacerbate the sense of instability.

On the economic front, Nigerians face rising taxes, increasing service tariffs, and poor-quality utilities, such as unreliable electricity. The education sector has fallen into disarray, with university unions like ASUU voicing concerns that the government seems to ignore.

As citizens grow tired of the repeated assurances that things will worsen before they improve—a promise made by nearly every government since 1983—the Tinubu administration faces mounting pressure to reassess its policies. A genuine review of governance is needed, one that draws on independent, intellectually sound advisors, rather than relying solely on political patronage. After 64 years of independence, Nigeria must look back to understand the causes of its decline and chart a path forward for its people.