Thoughts on the things I want to see in Nigeria this year
2024 was a year filled with everything from ups and downs to viral videos and all sorts of breaking and broken news. Our image, inside and outside the country, seemed to attract more bad press than acclaim. Nevertheless, I think Detty December did help to whitewash our social capital amongst the nations! It seems everyone and their bestie was in Naija for the festivities making many others question why they didn’t get the “be in Naija in December” memo. Talk about ending the year on a high note.
Nigeria, with its never-ending energy and unshakable spirit, has so much potential to shine even brighter. We could be right up there, calling the shots like world powers. We just need to stop being the insect found eating and destroying the vegetables. So, what do I want to see this year? A lot! From food to fashion, politics to technology, here’s my wishlist for a more vibrant, innovative, and thriving Nigeria in 2025.
Food: More Jollof, Less Wahala
First things first — let’s settle the jollof rice supremacy debates once and for all. Nigeria’s jollof is unmatched, and 2025 should see us taking this culinary pride to new heights. Hahaha, who am I kidding? Food has been crazily expensive in the last few months. Imagine one small onion bulb selling for =N=500 or a crate of eggs costing almost =N=10,000! Isn’t this madness? I am tempted to ask how we got here but I suspect my guess is as good as yours. Let’s shift the food conversation to affordability and quality. We can throw in a whiff of waste management as well to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure more produce gets to the market than is wasted. We are well behind in earning good income for the various locally and internationally sought-after food items that we cultivate in Nigeria. Food is a basic human need, we should at least ensure that most Nigerians don’t have to look too far to feed well.
Fashion: Ankara 3.0 and Beyond
Nigeria’s designers have already put us on the global fashion map. Watching clips from various fashion shows that were held towards the end of 2024 made me beam with pride. Seeing what many designers and tailors are creating these days is a true joy. I would love for 2025 to be the year we redefine afro-chic. We already infuse local fabrics in our casual and everyday wear, let’s extend this fully into business attire. Why wear a suit and tie on Monday morning when a kaftan is just as good and easier for our local weather? Even agbada can be modified for our specific business environment, our designers should investigate this.
Music: Naija Flavour to the World 2.0
Many of our music artistes have achieved international relevance. From organising and performing at sold-out global concerts and tours to being nominated and even winning Grammy awards, they have truly made us proud. If 2024 was the year of Afrobeats domination, 2025 should be the year we take it even further with more genre diversity — imagine Afro-jazz or Afro-rock stealing the spotlight. I would love for more of our alternative artistes to gain wider global recognition: there is more to Naija music than Afrobeats.
Entertainment: Nollywood and that Elusive Oscar
Nollywood’s glow-up is undeniable, but we can push the boundaries even more. There are so many movies that have achieved local acclaim and even shattered box office ratings but we can do better. 2025 should be the year Nigerian film producers churn out undeniably Oscar-worthy work. Money does not appear to be so much of a constraint as better scripts and improved production quality are. We can tell indigenous stories that can rival foreign tales: let’s make Hollywood sit up and take notes. More collaborations with international studios wouldn’t hurt either. After all, the world needs more Nollywood thrillers and comedies to binge-watch.
Politics and Governance: Less Drama, More Action
Naija politics na wa o! The same old faces everyday are still influencing the country’s future. Even some of the young Turks coming in appear to be aligning with the old guard. We need more integrity, less talk, and more action. 2025 should be about leaders who prioritize action over endless speeches. We need policies that create jobs, improve education, and upgrade infrastructure. We need altruistic people in tune with the reality of the country’s largest demographic: the youth. While we’re dreaming big, let’s also wish for transparent elections and accountable governance. We can’t keep having the government and its representatives announcing success stories which people cannot attest to.
Sports: Winning Big and Often
We love football: it’s our national pride and joy. Wouldn’t it be great if Nigeria dominated other sports too and we gave them as much attention as football? Basketball, boxing, and athletics, we also have celebrated sportsmen and women in fields but we haven’t been fair to them. We had a very poor showing at the last Olympics, not that many people expected magic to happen. Many of the stories that have circulated about how our sports people have been treated by officials of sports bodies at various global sports meets, are nothing short of embarrassing. We need to do better. Better funding for sports people, increased focus on grassroots programmes, and modern training facilities could make this a reality. Let’s bring home more wins this year.
Technology: Innovation for All
Can you picture Nigeria as Africa’s Silicon Valley? Various tech hubs buzzing with startups solving real and relevant problems, not just copycatting off the seemingly more profitable solutions. From AI tools improving governance to apps that tackle traffic jams, the possibilities are endless. But tech shouldn’t be limited to Lagos and Abuja. Digital inclusion for all and widespread access to affordable internet should be priorities in 2025. After all, no one should miss out on the future. Many of the youth are able and available to be retrained for tech. We need the various levels of government to support the private sector in enhancing our tech footprint across the world.
Business: More Hustle, Less Struggle
Nigerians have proven to be naturally enterprising irrespective of what the economy has thrown at them. Many have remained standing despite all but running a business should be less stressful. There are too many obstacles on the path of people who just want to offer a product or service and turn a profit. Imagine stable electricity, reasonable taxes, and funding options that don’t require collateral from the moon. SMEs should thrive, and industries like agriculture, fintech, and renewable energy should lead the charge. Let’s also tap into Africa’s green economy and position Nigeria as a continental leader. We are way overdue.
Travel: Exploring Naija and Beyond
Forget flying out — 2025 should be the year Nigerians explore more of Nigeria. From Obudu Cattle Ranch to Yankari Game Reserve, let’s make domestic tourism trendy. But while I would love to incorporate local destinations into my travel itinerary, I recognise that our security challenges are a huge deterrent. We need to address the various terrorist and bandit activities around the country. While we’re at it, can we also fix our airports, roads, and transport systems? And for those eyeing international adventures, hassle-free visas and affordable flights wouldn’t hurt. Let the green passport take us beyond West Africa without us shedding premium tears at various embassies.
Health: Wellness as Wealth
A healthier Nigeria is a wealthier Nigeria. Imagine accessible world-class hospitals and affordable health insurance. Timely emergency services, compassionate healthcare workers, and reliable community healthcare. It is possible. Our healthcare system needs a massive overhaul and it won’t happen overnight. Technology can also be useful — telemedicine and health apps could make consultations easier and faster. We say prevention is better than cure so also encouraging a focus on lifestyle management is key.
2025 shouldn’t just be another year; it’s a chance to build the Nigeria we dream of — one innovation, policy, and jollof rice recipe at a time. Change won’t happen overnight, but it starts with ideas, actions, and conversations. What’s on your wishlist for 2025? Share your thoughts, and let’s make this the year Nigeria rises higher than ever before! This is the way I see things today.
