60% Nigerians say country on wrong track but national pride remains high

Abuja, Nigeria. October 1st, 2025 – As Nigeria celebrates its 65th Independence Day celebration, a recent nationwide poll conducted by NOIPolls reveals a profound inconsistency in public sentiment. While 81 percent of citizens express pride in their Nigerian identity, 60 percent believe the country is moving in the wrong direction since gaining independence in 1960. This disconnect reflects a complex national mentality where emotional attachment to Nigeria coexists with widespread dissatisfaction with governance and developmental outcomes.

The poll findings align with broader governance challenges documented in recent international assessments, including Nigeria’s disappointing 116th ranking in the 2025 Chandler Good Government Index and its below-average performance on the Ibrahim Index of African Governance[1]. These rankings provide external validation for citizens’ concerns, as reflected in the Afrobarometer Round 10 survey, which found that only 41 percent of Nigerians believe democracy is preferable to any other form of government[2]. The convergence of these data sources suggests that public dissatisfaction is not merely episodic but represents a sustained crisis of confidence in Nigeria’s democratic and developmental trajectory.

Furthermore, regional disparities emerge as a critical dimension of the findings, with the South East demonstrating the most pronounced pessimism across multiple indicators. In this region, 74 percent of respondents believe the country is moving in the wrong direction, only 32 percent consider Independence Day “very important,” and 59 percent do not usually celebrate the national holiday. These patterns contrast sharply with northern regions, where citizens generally express more positive attitudes toward national symbols and celebrations, though they share concerns about security and governance. The North West leads in national pride with 54 percent expressing being “very proud,” while also showing 52 percent rating Independence Day as “very important.”

The poll identifies security concerns (24 percent), economic instability (17 percent), and bad governance (15 percent) as pressing challenges facing Nigeria. Citizens' expectations for Independence Day celebrations reflect a pragmatic focus, with many seeking improved security (18 percent), social welfare programs (15 percent), and job creation initiatives (15 percent) rather than ceremonial activities. Notably, 39 percent of Nigerians do not usually celebrate Independence Day, suggesting national symbols have lost resonance for many citizens grappling with daily survival challenges.

These findings highlight a complex national mood, where deep-seated patriotism coexists with profound dissatisfaction with the country's trajectory. The poll provides valuable insights into the hopes, fears, and priorities of Nigerians, offering a mandate for policy priorities and national development. These are some of the key findings from the Independence Day Poll conducted in the week commencing September 22^nd, 2025.

Background

Nigeria's Independence Day, celebrated annually on October 1st, commemorates the nation's sovereignty from British colonial rule in 1960. The journey to independence was driven by decades of nationalist movements led by iconic figures like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello. On October 1st, 1960, the formal transfer of power took place in Lagos, marking the beginning of self-governance[3].

Over the past 65 years, Independence Day has remained a cornerstone of Nigeria’s civic life, observed with presidential addresses, military parades, and cultural festivities. It serves as a moment for national reflection on the progress made since 1960 and the challenges that lie ahead. The holiday is not only celebrated within Nigeria but also by the Nigerian diaspora across the globe, with vibrant events held in cities like New York, London, and Toronto, reinforcing a sense of shared identity and heritage.

However, recent governance indicators, such as Nigeria's ranking of 116th in the 2025 Chandler Good Government Index and its below-average score on the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, provide a sobering context for public sentiment[4]. This year’s poll results reflect this reality, capturing a citizenry that, while proud of its national identity, remains deeply concerned about the state of the nation. Against this background, NOIPolls conducted a poll to gauge Nigerians' perceptions of Independence Day celebrations, providing valuable insights for policymakers, civil society, and all Nigerians committed to the nation's progress.

Survey Findings

Nationwide, a combined 74 percent of Nigerians consider Independence Day to be “important” or “very important,” with 44 percent rating it as “very important” and 30 percent as “important.” However, there are significant regional differences that reveal varying levels of national attachment across the country. The northern zones show the highest level of importance, with the North Central (53 percent), North East (51 percent), and North West (52 percent) recording the highest percentages for “very important” responses. In contrast, the South East (32 percent) and South South (30 percent) show considerably lower levels of enthusiasm for the national holiday.

Gender analysis reveals minimal differences, with males showing slightly higher appreciation (47 percent very important) compared to females (43 percent very important). Age-related patterns indicate that middle-aged respondents (36-60 years) demonstrate the highest appreciation at 45 percent very important, while younger adults (18-35) show 46 percent and older citizens (61+) show 41 percent very important ratings.

 A clear majority of Nigerians (60 percent) believe the country is moving in the wrong direction compared to when it gained independence in 1960. This pessimistic view is most pronounced in the South East, where a staggering 74 percent of respondents feel the country is on the wrong path, followed by the South South at 64 percent. Men (65 percent) are more likely than women (56 percent) to hold this negative view. Conversely, only 24 percent of Nigerians believe the country is moving in the right direction, with the South West showing the highest optimism at 30 percent.

The age analysis reveals that older citizens (61+) are the most pessimistic, with 69 percent believing the country is moving in the wrong direction, while younger adults (18-35) show 58 percent pessimism. This generational difference suggests that those who have witnessed more of Nigeria’s post-independence journey hold more negative assessments of the country’s progress.

Among the 24 percent who believe Nigeria is moving in the right direction, “Development and progress” emerges as the primary reason, cited by 42 percent of this group. Other positive indicators include “Independence and democratic governance” (15 percent) and “Good governance” (13 percent). These responses suggest that those who see progress value Nigeria’s democratic institutions and developmental achievements.

For the 60 percent who believe the country is on the wrong track, “Poor standard of living” dominates at 32 percent, followed by “Lack of progress” (18 percent) and “Poor governance/Bad leadership” (16 percent). Economic concerns feature prominently, with “Economic instability” cited by 12 percent and “Insecurity and violence” by 9 percent. These findings highlight the bread-and-butter issues that drive public dissatisfaction with the country’s trajectory.

 When asked about the most significant challenge facing Nigeria today, “Security concerns” topped the list at 24 percent, reflecting the ongoing struggles with terrorism, banditry, and various forms of violence across the country. “Economic instability” follows at 17 percent, highlighting concerns about inflation, unemployment, and economic uncertainty. “Bad governance” ranks third at 15 percent, while “Corruption” accounts for 12 percent of responses.

Other significant challenges include “High cost of living” (9 percent) and “Job Creation” (8 percent), both reflecting economic hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians. The prominence of security and economic issues in this ranking aligns with the reasons cited for the country moving in the wrong direction, creating a consistent narrative of public concern.

Despite the widespread dissatisfaction with the country’s direction, a strong sense of national pride persists among Nigerians. A combined 81 percent of respondents are either “proud” (36 percent) or “very proud” (45 percent) to be Nigerian, demonstrating the resilience of national identity even amid challenging circumstances. Pride is highest in the North West, where 54 percent express being “very proud,” followed by the North East (49 percent) and North Central (47 percent).

The South East shows the lowest pride levels, with only 30 percent expressing being “very proud,” which correlates with this region’s higher pessimism about the country’s direction. Gender differences are minimal, with males at 47 percent very proud and females at 44 percent very proud. The persistence of national pride despite widespread dissatisfaction suggests a deep emotional connection to Nigeria that transcends current political and economic challenges.

 The poll reveals that the most common response for how Nigerians commemorate Independence Day is that they “don’t usually celebrate or commemorate it” (39 percent), followed closely by those who “spend time with family and friends” (37 percent). This pattern suggests that Independence Day has become more of a private, family-oriented occasion rather than a public celebration for many Nigerians.

Regional variations are significant, with the South East having the highest rate of non-celebration at 59 percent, while northern regions show more engagement with Independence Day activities. Formal celebrations are less common, with only 7 percent attending public events and 6 percent engaging in prayer or thanksgiving. The low participation in public events may reflect both the privatization of patriotic expression and limited access to or interest in official celebrations.

Despite varying levels of celebration, a strong majority of Nigerians (67 percent) believe that Independence Day celebrations promote unity among citizens despite their diverse backgrounds. This belief is strongest in the northern zones, particularly the North East (80 percent), North Central (72 percent), and North West (78 percent). The South East is the most sceptical, with only 45 percent agreeing that Independence Day promotes unity.

Gender differences are minimal, with both males (66 percent) and females (68 percent) showing similar levels of agreement. Age analysis reveals that younger adults (18-35) are most optimistic about Independence Day’s unifying role at 69 percent, while older citizens (61+) show 62 percent agreement. This finding suggests that despite regional variations in celebration patterns, most Nigerians still see value in Independence Day as a unifying national symbol.

When asked what they expect from the government to mark Independence Day, Nigerians prioritized substantive actions over symbolic gestures. “Improve security” topped the list at 18 percent, directly reflecting the security concerns identified as the nation’s most significant challenge. “Social welfare programs” ranked second at 15 percent, followed by “Job creation initiatives” (12 percent) and “Good governance” (11 percent).

Other expectations include “Stabilized economy” (9 percent) and “Improved infrastructure” (7 percent), all pointing to concrete improvements in living conditions rather than ceremonial activities. Notably, 12 percent of respondents preferred not to say what they expected, possibly reflecting skepticism about government promises or uncertainty about realistic expectations.

 Conclusion

In conclusion, the 2025 Independence Day poll reveals a nation at a crossroads, where deep patriotic sentiment coexists with profound dissatisfaction about the country's trajectory. A striking 81 percent of Nigerians express pride in their national identity, yet 60 percent believe the country is moving in the wrong direction since independence. This contradiction highlights the complex relationship between emotional attachment to Nigeria and rational assessment of its governance and development outcomes.

The findings highlight significant regional disparities, with the South East's pronounced pessimism emphasizing persistent regional grievances that require urgent attention. In contrast, northern regions show more positive attitudes toward national symbols and celebrations, although they share concerns about security and governance.

The poll identifies security concerns, economic instability, and bad governance as top challenges, providing a clear roadmap for policy priorities. Citizens' expectations for Independence Day, improved security, social welfare programs, and job creation, represent a mandate for substantive action.

As Nigeria approaches its 65th Independence Day, these findings offer both warning and opportunity. While national pride persists despite widespread dissatisfaction, translating this pride into renewed confidence in Nigeria's future requires addressing fundamental issues driving public pessimism. Finally, the path forward demands leadership that can bridge the gap between patriotic sentiment and practical progress, ensuring Independence Day becomes a celebration of ongoing national renewal.

Survey Methods

The opinion poll was conducted in the week commencing September 22^nd, 2025. It involved telephone interviews of a proportionate nationwide sample of 1,000 randomly selected phone-owning Nigerians aged 18 years and above, representing the six geo-political regions and 36 states and the FCT of the country. Interviews were conducted in 5 languages – Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Pidgin English, and English. Although we can say with 95% confidence that the results obtained were statistically precise – within a margin of error of plus or minus 4.65%; we recognize that the exclusive use of telephone polling has its limitation of excluding non-phone-owning Nigerians. Nonetheless, with the country’s tele density put over 100 per cent by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), we consider our telephone polling approach appropriate. Also, given the rigorous scientific process of randomization and stratification applied, we can confidently stand by the validity of our methodology and approach. NOIPolls Limited, No. 1 for country-specific polling services in West Africa. We conduct periodic opinion polls and studies on various socio-economic and political issues in Nigeria. More information is available at www.noi-polls.com.

Disclaimer

This press release has been produced by NOIPolls Limited to provide information on all issues which form the subject matter of the document. Kindly note that while we are willing to share results from our polls with the public, we only request that NOIPolls be acknowledged as authors whenever and wherever our poll results are used, cited, or published. NOIPolls hereby certifies that all the views expressed in this document accurately reflect the views of respondents surveyed for the poll, and background information is based on information from various sources that it believes are reliable; however, no representation is made that it is accurate or complete. Whilst reasonable care has been taken in preparing this document, no responsibility or liability is accepted for errors or facts, or any views expressed herein by NOIPolls for actions taken because of information provided in this report. Any ratings, forecasts, estimates, opinions, or views herein constitute a judgment as of the date of this document. If the date of this document is not current, the views and content may not reflect NOIPolls' current findings and/or thinking.

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[1] Mo Ibrahim Foundation. (2024). Ibrahim Index of African Governance. https://iiag.online/locations/ng.html

[2] Afrobarometer. (2025). Nigeria Round 10 Survey. https://www.afrobarometer.org/countries/nigeria/

[3] Wikipedia. (2025). Independence Day (Nigeria). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(Nigeria)

[4] Nairametrics. (2025). Nigeria ranks 116th in 2025 Good Governance Index. https://nairametrics.com/2025/08/27/nigeria-ranks-116th-in-2025-good-governance-index-misses-africas-top-five/