In a powerful commentary published on 5 December 2025, public affairs enthusiast Yinka Rahman issued a compelling call for Nigeria to reclaim its sanity through responsible leadership and functional governance. The piece, which appeared at 10:22am WAT, argues that a nation's sanity is measured by the collective well-being of its environment, institutions, and social systems.
What Constitutes a Sane Nation?
Rahman defines a sane environment as the essential foundation for any country's progress. This means a society liberated from the grip of insurgency and insecurity, where citizens can move and communities can develop without fear. It is a nation with a reliable and uninterrupted power supply, a critical engine for industrial growth, business success, and a dignified home life.
Economically, a sane environment empowers the majority. It is not a place where poverty heavily outweighs prosperity, but one where wealth and opportunity are within reach for many. Such a society guarantees equal rights, ensuring that tribe, religion, or social background are never barriers to advancement. Ultimately, it is a system that places the welfare of the masses at its very core.
Is Nigeria a Sane Environment Today?
The article poses this critical question not as rhetoric, but as a direct challenge to the national conscience and its leaders. While answers may vary, Rahman points to the undeniable realities on the ground that demand sober reflection.
The current state of widespread insecurity, severe economic hardship, and glaring unequal opportunities highlights a deep crisis. This is compounded by significant infrastructural decay and intense socio-political tensions. Together, these factors signal an urgent and undeniable need for profound transformation across the country.
The Path Forward: Empathy, Accountability, and Action
The solution, according to Rahman, lies in good governance. This is defined as the deliberate effort to create a sane and functional society. It requires leadership rooted in empathy, accountability, and genuine responsibility, always prioritizing public need over private or political gain.
True governance listens, responds, and acts decisively. It fosters a connection where leaders understand the daily struggles of their people and demonstrate a real commitment to solving them. The call is clear: Nigeria's future hinges on visionary leadership, functional institutions, and active citizen participation.
Citizens must hold both themselves and their leaders to account. The concluding truth is powerful: a sane Nigeria is not a mere possibility, it is an absolute necessity. Achieving it begins with the courage to confront the present reality, the collective will to demand better, and the unwavering determination to build a nation worthy of its people.
