Introduction

“......and that’s how I ended up in prison without trial for 5 years simply for a crime I didn’t commit.” This is the current plight of many other innocent citizens who have been “victims of Nigeria”—a phrase attributed to the ill fate of living in such a country as ours.

The Present

Many Nigerians go to bed with dreams of a better future, only to wake up in “Nightmar-ia”. Alas, who would love a country where citizens are kidnapped in broad daylight and their freedom traded for outrageous sums of money? This trend has instilled fear in many, as the victims are either killed or made to undergo highly traumatising experiences. This country reeks of poverty, dilapidated school buildings, bad roads and unemployment, just to name a few. More so, graduates who survive the travails of an inadequate educational system roam the streets in search of employment, as job security has turned into a myth for many.

Oh, the irony of writing this essay in darkness, with a lowly lit flashlight in my hand, yet we supply electrical power to three neighbouring countries (Vanguard, 2026). Our corrupt leaders have shown great affinity for unaccountability, doling out empty promises to the masses every four years, yet receiving humongous salaries for doing the barest minimum. In Nigeria today, youths are waking up to a steep rise in inflation, forcing families to feed from hand to mouth as the purchasing power of the naira continues to depreciate. However, bribery has become the norm on Nigerian roads, as men in black now boldly demand money from road users, unlike the days when drivers stealthily slipped money into their hands.

Furthermore, our airports are filled with people overtaken by the *japa* syndrome, as recent research has indicated the mass exodus of skilled healthcare workers in a bid to seek greener pastures abroad (Salifu, 2026). This shift has created more problems for our citizens, as only a small number of healthcare professionals are left to cater to the needs of the rising population.

A Better Nigerian Future: A Dare to Dream

We dream of a country where the youths participate actively in the affairs of our nation, rather than being used as thugs by greedy politicians. A country where youths no longer turn to fraud and prostitution as a means of surviving the current economic hardship. We dream of a nation where the rule of law is not merely enshrined in the Constitution but enforced without fear or favour, serving as a deterrent to unlawful citizens (Nigerian Tribune, 2025).

In that dream, there is a government that embraces public-private partnerships rather than viewing private entities as potential threats. We see a nation where the people are free to demand accountability from the government and other agencies. A dream where only free and credible elections grant our politicians the right to walk the corridors of power. We dream of a country where there is unity despite the diversity in language and culture. A dream where all tribes in Nigeria put aside our cultural differences and come together as one big family to celebrate our achievements as a nation.

We dream of a country where aspirations are not replaced by drama, a country where people would actually live and let live. A country where people no longer clutch their chests for fear of kidnappers and bandits, or herdsmen and their sacred cows grazing on other people’s farms. In that dream, there are little children playing under the rays of beaming streetlights. You too can dream, if you dare.