Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo delivered a thought-provoking speech titled “Rebuilding Our Nation” at The Platform event in Lagos on June 12, 2025. He opened by reflecting on Nigeria’s complex national identity, questioning whether the country has ever truly functioned as a unified nation. Drawing from the views of historic leaders like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Ahmadu Bello, he argued that Nigeria’s nationhood remains a work-in-progress and a collective aspiration rather than an accomplished reality.

Soludo expressed cautious optimism about Nigeria’s economic direction, commending President Tinubu’s structural reforms for preventing financial collapse. Despite his past criticisms of international financial institutions, he acknowledged the accuracy of recent endorsements by the World Bank, IMF, and global rating agencies. He noted that while Nigeria’s economy is still in recovery, public finance has moved from insolvency to a more stable footing. Rather than dwell on challenges, Soludo emphasized the need for solution-focused action, insisting that most Nigerians already know what is wrong but lack a shared path for implementation.

He criticised the ideological vacuum in Nigeria’s political landscape, describing it as being dominated by an elite class focused on power and personal gain. He argued that most political parties lack ideological clarity and merely serve as platforms for opportunism. Soludo called for the resurrection of ideology-based politics, proposing the formation of a new Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) by ideologically aligned center-left parties such as APGA, APC, LP, and others. This alliance, he suggested, should field a single presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections and offer Nigerians a coherent and credible alternative to current political structures.

Soludo stressed that sustainable nation-building requires not just good leadership but also a transformation of the broader society. He called for a new generation of Nigerians driven by integrity, hard work, and patriotism, rather than by the pursuit of unearned wealth, superstition, or criminal enterprise. He condemned the culture of corruption and “something for nothing” that has taken root, linking it to widespread social vices like internet scams, drug trafficking, and political looting. According to him, the widespread celebration of unexplained wealth has eroded societal values and normalized unethical behavior.

To reverse this decline, he proposed a national ethical rebirth movement involving schools, religious institutions, media (especially Nollywood), civil society, and legislation. He emphasized the need for civic education and the reintroduction of values-based national campaigns similar to the former MAMSER and War Against Indiscipline. In Anambra, Soludo has begun implementing some of these ideas, such as outlawing native doctors who promise magical wealth, promoting merit-based appointments across state and ethnic lines, and enforcing transparency in governance. He highlighted that under his administration, Anambra has not borrowed funds and has allocated 77% of its spending to capital projects, significantly reducing crime and improving public trust.

He also addressed the need to end religious and ethnic bigotry and to promote a sense of true Nigerian citizenship, irrespective of state of origin or faith. Soludo cited examples from Anambra’s inclusive governance model, such as recruiting teachers and medical professionals from 18 different states and eliminating intra-Christian denominational rivalry. He praised the Yoruba model of religious tolerance within families and lauded President Tinubu’s approach as exemplary in promoting religious harmony.

Soludo concluded by affirming his belief in Nigeria’s greatness and its potential to lead Africa into the future. He urged all Nigerians, especially those who consider themselves progressives, to unite and organize around a shared vision. He proposed that all progressive states commit to delivering free quality education and healthcare as a foundational strategy to build a fairer and more united country. Ending with a quote from Frantz Fanon, he emphasized that every generation must either fulfill or betray its mission. For Nigeria, the time to act is now.