Nigerians need sincere engagement

Restoring the worth of Nigerian citizenship requires more than constitutional reforms or new laws, according to Professor Francis Egbokhare in a recent article. It demands a renewed commitment to justice, equality, and fraternity from both the state and its citizens. The government must lead by example, enforcing laws fairly and investing in the well-being of all people. Citizens, in turn, must reclaim their rights and responsibilities, holding leaders accountable and working together to build a more just and compassionate society, he said.

“This fractured system makes it difficult for citizens to feel a sense of belonging or obligation to the state.”

But look at this: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned from his visit to Benue State, but controversy trails his trip as he failed to visit Yelwata, a community recently affected by Fulani herdsmen attacks. Residents of Yelwata are disappointed and angry, feeling abandoned by a government they hoped would bring justice and support. Can we expect patriotism from people like this?

“When people are treated unequally, they are less likely to participate in civic life or trust government institutions.”

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The national anthem and pledge are not mere rituals; they are calls to action, the professor emphasised. They remind us that the value of citizenship lies in our collective commitment to dignity, justice, and the common good. Only by honouring these ideals can Nigeria become a nation where every life is valued and every citizen can thrive.

He argued that, in practice, many Nigerians experience differential citizenship. This, in turn, yields structural discrimination based on age, gender, religion, disability, or place of origin, which creates divisions and fosters loyalty to smaller groups rather than the nation. Policies like the quota system, indigene-settler distinctions, and unequal access to opportunities reinforce these divisions, devalue citizenship, and fuel resentment. This fractured system makes it difficult for citizens to feel a sense of belonging or obligation to the state. When people are treated unequally, they are less likely to participate in civic life or trust government institutions. The result is a cycle of alienation, corruption, and social unrest.

The situation painted above is what Nigerians in the North-Central states of Benue and Plateau, in particular, are currently experiencing. A situation where dialogues are held to appease ‘offenders’ instead of the ‘victims’ after coordinated attacks on farming settlements truly calls for reviewing this nation’s citizenship status. The situation has further led to zero patriotism and complete disengagement from the things that once held us together. A condition where the citizens provide their own basic amenities, security, water, health, and educational needs, is an excuse for disrespecting national calls. When victims of attacks start accusing security agencies of aiding and abetting the attackers, it undermines national pride by severing the authentic emotional bonds that make citizenship meaningful. A clear example is the massacre currently going on in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. It is quite pathetic.

Also, what happened recently at Brentford’s G-Tech Stadium in London during the Unity Cup match between Nigeria and Ghana clearly buttressed the lack of sincere engagement between our leaders and Nigerians, both at home and in the diaspora. The issue centred on Nigerians in attendance who could not sing the newly reinstated national anthem, “Nigeria, We Hail Thee”. As the anthem played prior to kick-off, many Nigerian spectators were visibly not familiar with the lyrics, leading to awkward near-silence or low-volume mumbling in the stadium.

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Some onlookers and fans on social media even refused to sing along, suggesting a lack of engagement or awareness. “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” had recently been reinstated by the government, replacing the anthem that had been in place since 1978. The anthem update appears to have caught many Nigerians, especially those abroad, off guard, leading to the moment of confusion in London.

An anthem, like the nation’s flag and coat of arms, is a key symbol of national pride. Not knowing it, especially at international or diaspora events, can feel like a disconnect, which highlights how changes made back home are not resonating with Nigerians living abroad, primarily due to a lack of proper engagement.

Meanwhile, it is a reminder that policy changes need wider communication across media, schools, and communities to ensure everyone stays informed. Civic groups and Nigerian community organisations in the diaspora might begin holding anthem rehearsals at events to build familiarity. Nigerian media outlets will likely cover this incident, prompting national discussions about how anthem changes are communicated and the need for deeper civic education. Likewise, this moment could spur cultural and diplomatic groups to create more cohesive bridges between Nigeria’s homeland initiatives and its diaspora.

In short, at the Unity Cup event at Brentford Stadium, the newly reinstated anthem became a focal point, not for its melody or lyrics, but for a moment of collective national bewilderment. It is a reminder that even small civic changes can ripple far and wide and that bridging the gap between policy and people remains essential, especially for a global citizenry. The National Orientation Agency should take note, more work still needs to be done to have the buy-in of the citizenry.