Nigeria, Oct. 1 -- A few weeks ago, I addressed a gathering of clergy, professionals, and everyday citizens at an interactive session in Owerri. I was invited to speak not as a politician, but as a fellow Nigerian, to reflect candidly on where we are, and more importantly, where we are going. In that room, I was reminded that while the history that has shaped a nation's past cannot be undone, it is collective vision, clarity and courage that determine its future.

It goes without saying that Nigeria is at a difficult crossroads, but the evidence compels us to say it plainly. We are now the world's most populous Black nation, projected to exceed 400 million citizens by 2050, yet we remain structurally fragile. Over 130 million Nigerians ar...