As Nigerians on Thursday, January 15, 2026, marked the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, which coincided with the 60th anniversary of the country’s first coup d’état that triggered the civil war during which millions of lives were lost, public affairs analysts have expressed concern that many of the issues that led to the conflict remain unresolved.
A Lagos-based human rights lawyer and social justice advocate, Barrister Olalekan Festus Ojo, said that although Nigeria has witnessed institutional development since 1966, the fundamental challenges that sparked the first coup and the civil war have not been addressed, but rather have evolved or worsened, according to Independent.
Ojo, who is the Managing Partner of Platinum & Taylor Hill LP, said: “The 1966 coup was driven by a toxic mix of bad governance, perceived injustice, ethnic suspicion, weak institutions, corruption, and a breakdown of trust in the political class.
“Sadly, several of these fault lines remain visible today. Issues such as economic inequality, youth unemployment, electoral mistrust, ethnic and religious polarisation, perceived marginalisation, and uneven application of the rule of law continue to strain national cohesion.
“Although we are no longer in a pre-coup military era, persistent governance failures can still threaten national stability in more subtle but equally dangerous ways.
“That said, there are important differences. Nigeria today has stronger constitutional frameworks, a more politically aware citizenry, an active civil society, and a media landscape that offers greater scrutiny.
“These are buffers against a repeat of history, but they are not guarantees. History teaches us that when citizens lose faith in justice, fairness, and leadership, instability becomes inevitable.
“My advice to the government and the political class is straightforward. First, governance must be anchored on justice, equity, and inclusion.
“The perception or reality of sectional dominance is a dangerous fuel in a multi-ethnic state.
“Second, institutions, not individuals, must be strengthened. When the rule of law is applied selectively, it erodes trust and deepens resentment.
“Third, political leaders must place nation above party and personal ambition. Inflammatory rhetoric, winner-takes-all politics, and the exploitation of ethnic or religious sentiments must be consciously avoided.
“Finally, there must be deliberate investment in national dialogue, economic opportunity, and youth engagement. A hungry, angry, and excluded population is a threat to any nation’s unity.
“The lesson of 1966 is not merely historical; it is a constant reminder that unity is sustained not by force, but by fairness, justice, and responsible leadership. If we ignore these lessons, history has a way of repeating itself, often at a higher cost.”
Another Lagos-based lawyer, Barrister Emeka Iheonu, also said the circumstances that culminated in the coups and civil war were still evident in the country.
He said: “The situations that led to the coups and the civil war still exist.
“To foster national unity, my advice to the government will include promoting inclusivity and equity by ensuring fair distribution of resources, benefits, and opportunities across all six geopolitical zones to reduce feelings of marginalisation.
“Also, there is the need to implement constitutional and electoral reforms by strengthening national institutions like the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure transparent, credible, and free elections that reflect the people’s will.
“Besides, there should be strengthening of national security by intensifying efforts to combat insecurity through decisive leadership and community-based intelligence-led operations.
“The government should invest in social integration programmes by properly funding and strengthening schemes like the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Unity Schools, which foster cross-cultural interaction and national pride.
“There is an urgent need to address economic hardship by tackling inflation, unemployment, and poverty, protecting fundamental freedoms by guaranteeing the rule of law, protecting rights such as freedom of movement and worship and ensuring that all citizens feel safe and valued regardless of their background.
“My advice to the political class includes prioritising national interest over partisanship, shifting to service delivery and nation-building, avoiding the manipulation of ethnic or religious sentiments for personal gains.
“The political class should adopt collective leadership models by considering inclusive power-sharing arrangements or coalition politics, which ensure that every region has a meaningful stake in the Presidency and high-level governance.
“They should be engaging in sincere dialogue by facilitating platforms for inter-ethnic and inter-faith discussions to dismantle prejudices and build mutual trust.
“There is a need for leaders to be demonstrating accountability by upholding a culture of transparency and respect for the rule of law to rebuild public trust in the political system, championing national values through the use of public platforms to promote tolerance, patriotism, and a shared national identity rather than divisive narratives.”
A media executive, Julius Adegunna, said national unity had weakened rather than improved over the decades.
According to him: “Between January 15, 1966 and January 15, 2026, it is not easy to say that Nigeria has been more united.
“It is a fact that the military then as led by General Aguiyi Ironsi dealt a blow to the relative peace Nigeria was nursing under the First Republic, and the coming of the so-called civilian democrats has divided the people, rather than unite them.
“The coupists blamed the leaders for corruption. The level of corruption of Nigerians of today is more alarming compared to what the country was witnessing then.
“Furthermore, the embers of disunity being fanned today place doubt on the possibility of putting Nigerians together politically once again.
“To keep Nigeria one, there is the need for a sense of fairness, justice, and equality of access to leadership at the centre.
“Decentralisation of political power may be another option. The politicians know this, but they will not do the right thing as long as they know such a thing would threaten their power and dominance.
“In the alternative, Nigerians should work together towards the promotion of egalitarian society where the people will have equal say and expect fair decisions in electing the leaders that govern them.”
Also speaking, Tola Oresanwo, Director of Administration and Programmes at the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), said the anniversary of the first coup called for deep national reflection.
He said: “January 15, 2026, marking the 60th anniversary of Nigeria’s first coup d’état, calls for sober reflection.
“Sadly, many of the conditions that paved the way for the coups and the civil war like poor governance, elite corruption, ethnic distrust, political exclusion, and deep socio-economic inequality have not entirely disappeared.
“While Nigeria has made progress in sustaining civilian rule, recurring insecurity, perceptions of injustice, weak institutions, corruption, maladministration and youth alienation show that the underlying fault lines remain largely unresolved.
“To keep Nigeria united, the government and political class must prioritise justice, equity, and accountable leadership over narrow interests. Strengthening democratic institutions, ensuring credible elections, and fighting corruption without bias are critical.
“Equally important is inclusive governance that gives all groups a genuine sense of belonging, alongside policies that tackle poverty, unemployment, and insecurity.
“National unity will not be preserved by force or rhetoric, but by fairness, dialogue, and a renewed social contract that convinces citizens that Nigeria truly works for all.”
