Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has called on Nigerians to recognise and celebrate the country’s achievements, saying he hopes “Nigeria keeps happening” to him.
His remarks follow debates around the phrase “Nigeria happened,” which gained renewed attention after the tragic death of ARISE News correspondent Somtochukwu Maduagwu.
Omokri emphasised that while hardships exist, the country has recorded significant milestones, including record-breaking power generation, reduced fuel imports, and increased economic output. “Nigeria broke its power generation record with a peak of 5,801.84MW and maximum daily energy output of 128,370.75 megawatt-hours,” he noted.
He highlighted that the nation has become a net exporter of refined petroleum products, a feat achieved under only three civilian governments: Yar’Adua, Jonathan, and Tinubu. For Omokri, such progress deserves recognition alongside efforts to address systemic challenges.
Optimism in the face of global and domestic challenges
Omokri reminded Nigerians that hardship is a global phenomenon, noting that countries like the United States face far higher rates of violent crime without triggering national despair. “Every year in America, 20,000 people are murdered. That is more than twice the murder rate in Nigeria,” he said, urging citizens to maintain perspective.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s growing economic strength, noting that the country’s economy expanded by $67 billion over two years. According to Omokri, the naira has more purchasing power compared to several other African currencies, reinforcing the country’s relative economic progress.
Through these examples, he encouraged citizens to view Nigeria’s challenges realistically while recognising the tangible benefits that have emerged from recent governance and policy measures.
Encouraging national pride and balanced perspectives
Omokri criticised the tendency to focus solely on negative news, urging Nigerians to also celebrate positive developments. “We can choose to look at the negatives, but there are many positive things happening in Nigeria that we refuse to project because we love bad news,” he said.
He encouraged a mindset shift, emphasising that acknowledging progress does not negate the existence of challenges, but rather fosters national pride and constructive engagement. Omokri’s remarks offer a counter-narrative to the fatalistic “Nigeria happened” sentiment trending online.
His comments underline the importance of optimism, balanced discourse, and celebrating incremental national progress, even as citizens continue to hold the government accountable for systemic issues.