Nigeria has made remarkable progress in 65 years, says Gagdi

Yusuf Gagdi, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Navy, has highlighted Nigeria’s achievements over its 65 years of independence.

In an interview with Comrade Grace Ike, Chairman of the NUJ FCT, Gagdi described Nigeria’s journey as a mix of progress and challenges.

He acknowledged that while the nation has faced setbacks, it has made notable strides within its capacity, reflecting the resilience and potential of the country.

“At 65, Nigeria has done well. Tinubu has done well,” Gagdi said.

“I don’t claim to be profound, but if we view Nigeria from a continental perspective, our story is mixed. We have tried, yet we have also fallen short. We have tried because, within our capacity, we have done our best.”

The lawmaker argued that Nigeria’s underdevelopment cannot be blamed solely on its leaders.

“We have had leaders who envisioned Nigeria becoming like Singapore. Unfortunately, their intentions and efforts have often been suffocated by international and intercontinental interference.

“Nigeria’s challenges corruption, underdevelopment, and the stagnation of a developing country cannot be blamed solely on Nigerians.”

According to him, powerful global interests fear Nigeria’s potential to transform Africa.

“There are forces that do not want Nigeria to progress. They know Nigeria is the brain box and heartbeat of West Africa and Africa,” he said.

“They know that if Nigeria transforms, Africa will become truly independent, free from interference, and other African countries will rise to their potential. We have the natural resources, the human resources, and the capacity to become a ‘United States of Africa’ — just as we dream of a ‘United States of Nigeria.’

“This is why former colonial powers still fear us. They interfere directly or indirectly. Some NGOs claim to be here to help, but they rent properties in places like Maiduguri, Zamfara, or Plateau for 30 years. Why? Are they truly working to end crises or planning to sustain them under the guise of peacebuilding? What are they moving around in their vehicles? Who checks them? Are they delivering aid to victims or to the very groups causing harm?

“They operate above our laws, unchecked. So we cannot pretend that all of Nigeria’s problems come solely from its leaders. Our situation is deeper: our ‘nose’ is blocked, our ‘mouth’ sealed, and our ‘ears’ folded by foreign policies and interference.”

On President Bola Tinubu’s policies, Gagdi said the administration deserves credit, especially for the removal of fuel subsidy, which has boosted monthly allocations to states.

“Before subsidy removal, some states received about ₦4 billion monthly. Today, they collect between ₦8 billion and ₦10 billion. Why is nobody questioning what governors are doing with this money?” he asked.

He maintained that Nigerians should hold state governments more accountable instead of blaming the presidency alone.

“It is unfair for Nigerians to heap all the blame on Tinubu. The president has released the funds; he did not sit on the money. But where are the state assemblies? Where are the stakeholders in those states asking the hard questions?” he said.