**When Nigeria Was Nigeria: The Glory Days We’ve Forgotten**

Ah, Nigeria. The name itself used to carry weight—real, undeniable, heavyweight respect on the global stage. Back then, being Nigerian wasn’t just about where you came from; it was a badge of honor, an emblem of pride that commanded reverence across continents. But today? Today, we’re reduced to begging for scraps at the table of relevance while the world looks away. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but let me tell you something: **the problem isn’t them—it’s us.**

Let me take you back to when *Nigeria was Nigeria*. When our leaders weren’t just politicians—they were statesmen. Men who walked into rooms and demanded attention not because they shouted louder than everyone else, but because their presence alone carried authority. Remember those days? I do. And if you don’t, ask your elders. They’ll tell you stories about how the West rolled out red carpets for Nigerian presidents like Obasanjo, Shagari, even Gowon. These men weren’t perfect—far from it—but they represented something bigger than themselves: **a nation with potential so vast it scared people.**

Back then, America didn’t wait for Nigerian officials—they prepared for them. State dinners were organized. Speeches were written. Deals worth billions were struck in smoke-filled rooms because the world knew one thing: **you couldn’t ignore Nigeria.** You couldn’t afford to. Our oil flowed like rivers, our culture influenced the globe, and our voice mattered in every international forum. From the United Nations to the Commonwealth, Nigeria wasn’t just another African country—we were THE African country. The big brother everyone looked up to.

But what happened? How did we go from commanding respect to being treated as second-class citizens on the world stage? Let me break it down for you.

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### **1. Leadership Became A Joke**
Here’s the cold, hard truth: nations rise or fall based on the quality of their leadership. Period. No exceptions. In the glory days, our leaders understood this. They may have had flaws, but they also understood the responsibility that came with leading a nation as powerful as Nigeria. Fast forward to today, and what do we see? Corruption. Incompetence. Selfishness. Leaders more interested in lining their pockets than lifting their people.

Do you think any American president would roll out the red carpet for someone whose only achievement is stealing from his own people? Do you think the Queen of England would host a banquet for a man whose policies have driven his country into poverty? Hell no. Respect has to be earned, and right now, our so-called “leaders” are doing everything BUT earning it.

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### **2. We Lost Our Identity**
Nigeria wasn’t respected just because of its resources or size—it was respected because of its identity. We were bold. We were unapologetic. We were proud. Fela Kuti sang songs that shook dictators. Wole Soyinka wrote words that challenged empires. Our Nollywood films told stories that resonated worldwide. Even our fashion made statements.

But somewhere along the way, we lost that fire. We started looking outward instead of inward. We began mimicking others instead of celebrating ourselves. Instead of building on our strengths, we became obsessed with chasing validation from the same people who once admired us. Newsflash: nobody respects a beggar. If you want respect, you demand it. You earn it. You live it.

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### **3. The World Moved On**
While we were busy tearing ourselves apart, the rest of the world kept moving forward. China rose. India surged. Even smaller African nations like Rwanda and Ethiopia started making waves. Meanwhile, Nigeria? We stayed stuck in neutral, content to fight over tribal lines and political squabbles while opportunities passed us by.

And here’s the kicker: the world doesn’t owe us anything. Just because we were great once doesn’t mean we’ll stay great forever. Greatness requires effort. Sacrifice. Vision. Right now, we’re lacking all three.

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### **4. The People Stopped Caring**
Let’s not kid ourselves—the blame doesn’t lie solely with our leaders. It lies with us too. The average Nigerian has become complacent. We complain endlessly about corruption, unemployment, insecurity—but how many of us are actually doing anything about it? How many of us vote? How many of us hold our leaders accountable? How many of us invest in our communities instead of waiting for handouts?

If we want Nigeria to be Nigeria again, it starts with us. It starts with rejecting mediocrity. It starts with refusing to settle for less than we deserve. It starts with realizing that change won’t come from above—it will come from below. From the grassroots. From YOU.

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### **So What Now?**
I’m not here to preach doom and gloom. I’m here to light a fire under your ass. Because despite everything, Nigeria still has the potential to reclaim its throne. We still have the brains, the talent, the resources. All we need is the willpower.

We need leaders who understand that their job is to serve, not to loot. We need citizens who refuse to accept excuses and demand excellence. We need businesses that innovate instead of imitate. We need artists who create instead of copy. We need a generation that remembers what it means to be Nigerian—and fights to restore that legacy.

Because let me tell you something: the world misses the old Nigeria. They miss the Nigeria that stood tall. That spoke truth to power. That inspired millions. And deep down, they know we can get there again—if we want to badly enough.

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### **Final Thought**
The mighty have fallen, yes. But here’s the good news: the mighty can rise again. History shows us that nations aren’t defined by their failures—they’re defined by their comebacks. So stop sitting around waiting for someone else to fix things. Stop blaming the past for your present. Take action. Demand better. Be better.

When Nigeria was Nigeria, we didn’t ask for respect—we commanded it. And guess what? We can do it again. But it starts with YOU. Are you ready?

Stay sharp. Stay hungry. Stay Nigerian.

– Your Pinky Prof who refuses to settle for less.

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