Abuja, Nigeria. October 1st, 2023 – The annual Independence Day Poll result released by NOIPolls Limited has revealed that 31 percent of adult Nigerians opined that Nigeria as a nation has not achieved anything since it attained the status of Independence in 1960. Furthermore, 23 percent of Nigerians cited insecurity as one of the greatest challenges Nigeria as a nation has faced since independence. Other challenges mentioned are economy (20 percent), corruption (20 percent), bad leadership (17 percent), and ethnicity/tribalism (8 percent) amongst other challenges.
Despite the challenges, Nigerians still pinpoint some achievements the country has made since her Independence. The top three achievements include democracy (14 percent), national unity (9 percent), and telecommunication (7 percent). Other mentions include large population (3 percent), electricity, (3 percent), education (3 percent), security (3 percent), and social cohesion (3 percent) amongst others.
When asked about the single most important issue Nigeria as a nation should address in the next year, 28 percent of Nigerians mentioned the economy, which is closely followed by insecurity (21 percent). Other issues mentioned are poverty alleviation (13 percent), job creation (9 percent), corruption (8 percent), bad governance (3 percent), electricity (3 percent), and education (3 percent).
Also, when respondents were asked which country has been positively impactful to Nigeria’s political and economic development since her Independence, interestingly, the United States of America (27 percent), China (24 percent) and the United Kingdom (17 percent) came top. Other countries mentioned are Israel, Ghana, France, Saudi Arabia, Niger, and Russia (2 percent each) amongst other countries mentioned. However, it is worth noting that 22 percent of Nigeria stated that no country has had any positive impact on the political and economic development of Nigeria since independence.
Survey Background
Independence Day is an official national holiday in Nigeria, celebrated on the 1st of October. It marks Nigeria's proclamation of her Independence from British rule on 1 October 1960. The holiday is commemorated annually by the government and the people of Nigeria with pomp and pageantry.
However, in the last decade, activities to commemorate the anniversary have continued to decline. This is a clear reflection of the state of the nation. This year, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. George Akume stated in a Press Conference in Abuja, that Nigeria will mark its 63rd Independence Anniversary with a low-key celebration. The decision to scale back the festivities was taken considering the country’s economic challenges. He added that no world leaders have been invited, “The celebration is low-key as due to the realities on the ground.” But the anniversary will be celebrated under the theme “Nigeria @ 63, Renewed Hope for Unity and Prosperity”[1].
With unmet expectations for Nigerians, this year's Independence Day Anniversary is a time for Nigerians to reflect on their gains and challenges while mapping out feasible ways of improving on the gains.
Against this backdrop of the occasion of Nigeria’s Independence, NOIPolls conducted a survey to gauge the pulse of Nigerians regarding our progress post-Independence.
Survey Findings
The first survey question sought to know the opinion of adult Nigerians on what they consider to be the country's greatest achievement in the past 63 years. Thus, it poses the question ‘’ In 63 years, what do you consider to be the greatest achievement of Nigeria?’. Findings revealed that a larger proportion of respondents (31 percent) revealed that Nigeria has not achieved anything. Conversely, some respondents believe the country has recorded some great achievements around democracy (14 percent), national unity (9), and telecommunication (7 percent). Other achievements mentioned include large population (3 percent), electricity (3 percent), education (3 percent), security (3 percent), and social cohesion (3 percent). More findings show that 8 percent of respondents interviewed adduced independence, fuel subsidy, the entertainment industry, hunger and poverty, and no unity as some achievements. Survey findings also revealed that 16 percent of Nigerians interviewed do not know/refused to disclose their stance.
Furthermore, the survey sought to gauge the opinion of Nigerians on the single most important issue the country needs to address in the next one (1) year. Analysis shows that a larger proportion of Nigerians (28 percent) mentioned the economy. This is followed by insecurity (21 percent), poverty alleviation (13 percent), job creation (9 percent), and corruption (8 percent). Other issues mentioned include; bad governance (3 percent), electricity (3 percent), education (3 percent), dollar exchange rate, inflation, fuel issue/refinery, and infrastructure (2 percent each). However, few Nigerians mentioned attitudinal change, electoral reforms, healthcare, and the constitution (4 percent) as the greatest issues that should be addressed in the next one year.
When asked what has been our greatest challenge as a nation since Independence, analysis shows that the majority of respondents (23 percent) cited insecurity. More analysis reveals economy (20 percent), corruption (20 percent), bad leadership ( 17 percent), and ethnicity/tribalism (8 percent) as the greatest challenges specified. Other challenges named are; over-dependence on fuel/crude oil,(3 percent), high poverty level (3 percent), electricity(3 percent ), education(1 percent), border security (1 percent), and agitations (1 percent)
Additionally, the survey sought to measure the opinion of Nigerians on their level of trust in key institutions of the country such as INEC, the Judiciary, the President and his cabinet, and the law enforcement agencies using a scale of 1-5. Thus, it poses the question “On a scale of 1-5, where 1 is no trust at all, and 5 is complete trust, how much do you trust the following institutions? Findings reveal that most Nigerians do not trust INEC (57 percent), the judiciary (56 percent), the President and his cabinet members (50 percent), and law enforcement agencies (47 percent). Similarly, analysis shows that 25 percent of Nigerians who answered in the affirmative, when asked if they trust INEC, and 24 percent affirmed for the Judiciary. Nigerians who have confidence in the president and his cabinet are 26 percent while law enforcement agencies are 32 percent. However, more analysis shows that just a handful of respondents (21 percent) either do not know or refuse to answer the survey question.
The survey also measures the opinion of Nigerians on the country(s) they think have been impactful to Nigeria’s political and economic development in the past 63 years. Findings show a larger proportion of Nigerians (27 Percent) interviewed mentioned the U.S. (27 percent), followed by China (24 percent), and the U.K. (18). Other countries mentioned are Israel (2 percent), Ghana (2 percent), France (2 percent), Saudi- Arabia (2 percent), Niger (2 percent) and Russia (2 percent). Similarly, India, Canada, and Germany have 3 percent. Respondents who don’t know are 7 percent. However, 22 percent stated that no country in the world has impacted Nigeria in this regard.
Conclusion
In conclusion, findings have shown that majority of Nigerians 28 percent) reveal that the single most important issue that the country needs to address in the next one (1) year is economy, followed by insecurity (21 percent). Survey findings also revealed that more Nigerians (31 percent) disclosed that the country has not achieved anything in the past 63 years since we got independence. However, the findings reveal that Nigerians indicated that some countries have impacted our economic and political development since independence, among the top mentions are the U.S. (27 percent), China (24 percent), and the U.K. (18 percent). Others include Israel (2 percent), Ghana (2 percent), France (2 percent), Saudi- Arabia (2 percent), Niger (2 percent), and Russia (2 percent) respectively. Similarly, India, Canada, and Germany have 3 percent. Respondents who do not know are 7 percent. Interestingly,22 percent stated that no country in the world has impacted Nigeria politically and economically.
Survey Methods
The opinion poll was conducted in the week commencing 25th of September 2023. 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 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 percent 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 that 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.
Press Contact
Email: editor@noi-polls.com
cakubue@noi-polls.com
nohuche@noi-polls.com
Number: +234 (0) 9 - 290 4162
+234 (0) 9 – 291 4877