My late grandfather once said that by the year 2025, there would be electricity 24 hours a day across the whole of Nigeria. It is currently April 2026, and my father has just installed a backup inverter with solar panels in our house because it has been over ten years since we last had electricity for more than six hours a day. The contrast between expectations and reality captures a deeper truth about Nigeria today.

Growing up, I was taught the importance of thinking big and remaining positive. However, I live in a country that still reflects patterns of underdevelopment. The Nigeria we know today is a thousand miles away from the one we dream of. From natural disasters to human actions such as corruption and dissociation, Nigeria remains unstable, despite being the giant of Africa.

Nigeria had the foundation to become a solid middle-income nation by now. Logically, since around 2007, if policies had been implemented correctly and consistently, Nigeria should have at least 12–20 hours of stable electricity daily nationwide, a relatively strong currency, functional refineries, sustained industrial growth and significantly improved security.

Instead, Nigeria experiences inconsistent progress mixed with regression. About two decades ago, the cost of living was lower, and incomes were also lower. Today, everything is unnecessarily more expensive. A dollar was equivalent to about ₦125, but following massive depreciation, its value is now in the range of ₦1,000 or more. This alone tells us that productivity has not kept pace with population growth and spending.

The same pattern is evident in the power sector. Previously, there was the NEPA problem; now, the problem is larger, and the organisation has only been renamed the Power Holding Company of Nigeria. Furthermore, these challenges are worsened by governance issues. Nigeria has gone through multiple administrations, each introducing policies that lacked long-term continuity and were unsupported by strong institutions. This is because each administration prioritises its own agenda, abandoning previous long-term plans.

To be honest, Nigeria has actually grown, but below its potential. And that is the frustrating part. Growth has been slower than the country's needs. Over the years, the gross domestic product (GDP) has increased, alongside an irreversible rise in population and slight improvements in infrastructure. It is not satisfactory, but it is significant.

The Nigeria we dream of is a nation where systems function effectively, electricity is reliable and economic stability allows citizens to plan for the future. It is a Nigeria where integrity and accountability are values we uphold and policies are consistent. Young people do not have to leave the country to succeed. Instead, the environment supports their innovation, rewards merit and creates opportunities.

In conclusion, we can bridge the gap between the Nigeria we know today and the one we dream of. The decisions and deliberate efforts we make as leaders and citizens shape this direction. This is possible because dreams can come true.