The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, has called for renewed commitment to justice, accountability, equal citizenship and responsible governance as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.
MPAC made the call in a statement issued on Thursday, October 1, 2026, by its Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, in Lagos.
The organisation congratulated Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, but said the anniversary should also prompt reflection on the meaning of independence to ordinary citizens.
It said independence should not be measured only by the lowering of the colonial flag, but by the extent to which citizens could live with dignity, security, justice and access to opportunities.
According to MPAC, Nigeria’s sovereignty must remain sacrosanct, urging political leaders to remove what it described as vestiges of colonialism and imperialism from governance, laws, institutions, economic arrangements and foreign policy.
The organisation said a truly independent Nigeria should be one where the law protects the vulnerable and holds the powerful accountable, while citizens’ faith, economic status or background would not determine the quality of justice they receive.
It acknowledged that the country had made progress since independence but said significant gaps remained between the aspirations of Nigerians and the realities confronting millions of citizens.
MPAC said the country could not fully celebrate independence while many Nigerians struggled to meet basic needs, while religious suspicion, ethnic divisions, political exclusion and declining public trust continued to affect national cohesion.
It also expressed concern over unemployment, frustration and diminishing opportunities for young Nigerians, saying the country needed stronger leadership, discipline and commitment to translate its potential into tangible development.
The organisation called on the government to prioritise security, justice, economic opportunities, quality education, healthcare, infrastructure and transparent governance.
It also urged the government to protect Nigeria’s sovereignty and reject arrangements that could undermine the country’s self-determination.
MPAC called on citizens to reject indifference, hatred and misinformation, while demanding accountability through lawful and democratic means.
Political, religious and community leaders, the media and private sector were also urged to move beyond annual Independence Day celebrations and commit to sustained nation-building.
The organisation further urged Muslims in Nigeria to contribute to national development through justice, integrity, compassion, responsibility and peaceful coexistence.
It said Nigeria’s religious, ethnic, linguistic and cultural diversity should be regarded as a national asset rather than a source of permanent division.
MPAC said Nigerians could build a shared future by agreeing on fundamental values, including human dignity, justice, security, equal citizenship and the right of every citizen to live a meaningful life.
“The Nigeria of tomorrow will not be built by slogans. It will be built by institutions that work, leaders who are accountable, citizens who are responsible, and a society that refuses to normalise injustice,” the statement said.
The organisation added that independence should be regarded as a responsibility rather than a destination, saying Nigeria at 66 deserved more than congratulations and required the commitment of its citizens.