In a rousing call to action, former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, has urged Nigerians to reclaim their collective humanity and take ownership of the nation’s destiny by confronting the deepening crisis of social trust and civic engagement.
Speaking at the National Social Cohesion Dialogue (#NSCD2025) held in Abuja, Amaechi emphasised the urgency of restoring citizens’ confidence in government, institutions and one another. The event also marked the unveiling of the 2025 Nigeria Social Cohesion Survey Report, themed “Rebuilding Citizens’ Trust and Public Confidence in Government and Public Institutions.”
Amaechi criticised the widespread passivity in society, urging citizens to take greater responsibility for national transformation rather than waiting for leaders to act on their behalf.
“Nigeria is the most docile society I have seen in my life,” he remarked. “People clap for the same individuals who continue to fail them. The elite know the issues, but real change won’t happen unless the people act.”
He stressed the role of economic empowerment in addressing insecurity and reducing crime. Recalling his tenure as governor, he noted that paying contractors and suppliers on time not only boosted productivity but had ripple effects across communities, lowering crime rates and stimulating local economies.
Amaechi also encouraged civil society and student groups to reawaken their activist roots, citing global historical examples where young people sparked social reforms.
Similarly, former Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, represented by Mallam Ahmed Sajo, warned that the greatest threat to Nigeria is the erosion of shared humanity amid escalating violence, inequality and disconnection between classes, religions and regions.
Fayemi lamented the current education system, arguing that it reinforces elitism and alienation. He observed that both the wealthy and the poor are driven by different incentives to engage in corruption – either to sustain lifestyles or to escape historical deprivation.
He emphasised the need for an elite consensus and a shared national vision. While acknowledging the massive trust deficit in public institutions, Fayemi added that private institutions are not exempt from scrutiny. “Trust must be rebuilt across every facet of Nigerian life,” he said.
Presenting the findings of the 2025 Social Cohesion Survey, executive director of the Africa Polling Institute (API), Prof. Bell Ihua said the data offered a clear scientific basis for understanding the collapse of trust in government and how to begin rebuilding it.
“The data revealed two major insights,” Ihua explained. “First, there is an alarmingly low level of trust in government and public institutions. Second, Nigerians, regardless of identity, are united by shared economic struggles.”
According to the report, 83 per cent of respondents said they have little to no trust in the Federal Government, 80 per cent distrust the National Assembly and 79 per cent lack confidence in the judiciary. The report also highlighted unity among citizens in the face of harsh economic realities such as inflation, unemployment and insecurity.
“These findings underscore the need for a renewed social compact between government and citizens,” Ihua said. “Citizens are asking to be seen, heard and prioritised.”
He recommended that government urgently implement people-centered policies that protect lives, ensure security, and create opportunities. He also advocated for a national social contract that defines specific deliverables and obligations from public institutions to citizens.
Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought and a lecturer at Baze University, Dr. Sam Amadi stressed that the real crisis confronting Nigeria is not just corruption or inefficiency, but a deeper moral collapse.
“The greatest danger facing Nigeria is the loss of humanity,” Amadi warned. “Violence, disregard for life and systemic failure have created a culture of despair. Rebuilding trust must begin with reclaiming our collective humanity.”
Amadi highlighted a series of structural challenges: rampant poverty, widening inequality, lack of accountability, and entrenched ethnic and religious divides. He argued that democratic systems, though widely practiced, have not delivered meaningful results for most citizens, particularly youth.
He also raised concerns about Nigeria evolving into a “low-trust society” and a “sub-state,” where institutions are too weak to enforce rules or protect citizens. This breakdown, he argued, has further eroded public confidence and civic responsibility.
“People no longer believe that government exists to serve them. When this happens, even well-meaning policies fail,” he said. “Rebuilding Nigeria will require moral leadership, public accountability and grassroots participation.”
Amadi also noted that young Nigerians, disillusioned with the state of the nation, are increasingly seeking opportunities abroad. This brain drain, he warned, is both a symptom and a consequence of collapsing trust in the nation’s future.
Throughout the dialogue, participants reflected on the interconnectedness of trust, development, and national cohesion. They agreed that rebuilding Nigeria requires a coordinated effort among government, civil society, religious groups, the private sector and international partners.
The event concluded with a call for urgent action: renewed civic education, reforms in justice and governance systems, promotion of shared prosperity and inclusive policymaking that directly engages citizens.
Organisers of #NSCD2025 expressed hope that the findings of the cohesion survey and the robust deliberations would inform future national policies and ignite community-level initiatives aimed at strengthening unity and rebuilding public confidence.
As Nigeria continues to confront complex political and economic challenges, this dialogue served as a powerful reminder that sustainable change begins not just in high offices but in homes, communities, and collective will.
