Living in interesting times

Hello, my brothers and sisters. It is 2026, and the world is moving very fast. Here in Northern Nigeria, life is a mix of old problems and new hopes. We wake up every day to news of fighting in the northeast, but we also see big projects like the Dangote Refinery working hard. As a […]

Hello, my brothers and sisters. It is 2026, and the world is moving very fast. Here in Northern Nigeria, life is a mix of old problems and new hopes. We wake up every day to news of fighting in the northeast, but we also see big projects like the Dangote Refinery working hard. As a young person, I see both the pain and the promise. I want to write this simple story so that everyone can understand. We want justice and good life for all Nigerians – those we agree with and those we do not. No one should be left behind.

These are interesting times. In the Lake Chad area, groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP are still causing trouble. Just recently, Nigerian soldiers and American forces killed important leaders of these groups. They attacked camps and killed many fighters. But the fighting continues. Fishermen and farmers around Lake Chad suffer. Some islands have battles between the groups themselves as they fight for control. People run away from their homes. Children are taken. Mothers cry for their sons. This is the hard reality in Borno, Yobe and nearby places.

Yet, life does not stop. The government says it is fighting hard. They declared emergency in some areas for security. But we know that guns alone cannot solve everything. We need jobs for young people so they do not join bad groups. We need schools that stay open. We need roads and farms that are safe. Northern Nigeria has many strong people – farmers who work under the hot sun, traders who travel far, and young boys and girls learning both Quran and computer skills.

As a youth from the north, my daily life shows the real Nigeria. In the morning, I pray at the mosque. Then I check my phone for news, but electricity often goes off. We use generators or solar lights now, which is good. Many young people are learning skills online. Some code apps to help farmers know the price of maize or millet. Others fix phones or sell goods on WhatsApp. We have dreams, but challenges like no light, bad roads, and high prices make it hard.

Food is important to us. Inflation has made things expensive. A bag of rice or the ingredients for a good meal of tuwo costs more. Farmers in the north want to grow more food, but bandits disturb them. In some villages, people cannot go to their farms freely. This affects everyone in Nigeria because the north produces a lot of food for the country. When farms suffer, cities in the south also feel it. We need peace so that planting season brings good harvest for all.

The Dangote Refinery is one big hope. This huge factory in Lagos is now working at full power. It makes fuel for Nigeria and even exports to other African countries. No more importing all our petrol. This can save money and create jobs. Aliko Dangote, our richest man, is planning bigger projects. Young northerners like me see this as a sign that Nigeria can stand on its own. But we must make sure the benefits reach the north too – more refineries, more industries, more opportunities here at home.

Government budgets are another thing. They talk about big money for 2026, trillions of naira. We hope this money goes to real things: better security, good schools, hospitals, and roads from Kano to Maiduguri. Not for sharing among big men only.

Education is key for us. In the north, many children still go to Almajiri schools. Some learn well, but others beg on streets. We need modern education that mixes Islamic knowledge with science, technology, and business. Imagine a boy from Gwoza who learns to use AI to predict rain for farmers or to detect diseases early. That is the future we want. Africa is now talking about AI a lot. In places like Kenya and Nigeria, people are learning AI skills. We can use it for our problems – better farming, health care, and even fighting fake news that causes violence.

But AI will not solve everything if there is no electricity or internet in villages. Many northern communities still struggle with basic things. We need government and private companies to bring solar power everywhere. Young people are ready to learn. We have the largest youth population in the world. This is our strength if we train them well. If not, it becomes a problem.

I think about my friends. Some have moved to Lagos or abroad for better life. But many of us want to stay and build here. Northern Nigeria has culture, history, and land. We have traders in markets like Kurmi in Kano who connect with the whole Sahel. We can grow this. With better security, more investment will come. Companies can build factories here. Youth can get jobs instead of risking death crossing to Europe through Libya.

We also look at Africa as a whole. Kenya has protests about prices. Other countries fight their own battles. But we are one continent. AfCFTA, the free trade agreement, can help us sell goods to each other easily. Nigeria can sell fuel from Dangote, grains from the north, and services from our tech bros. No need to always depend on Europe or China. We trade with brothers.

To those I like and those I dislike: let us talk. Politics divides us sometimes – north and south, Muslim and Christian, ADC and APC. Or even PDP and NDC. But hunger does not know party. Insecurity does not check your tribe. We all want our children to go to school safely. We all want to sleep at night without fear. Justice means the bandit and the corrupt official both face the law. Prosperity means markets are full, farms produce, and jobs are many for everyone.

These interesting times bring challenges but also chances. Technology is changing fast. While big countries like America and China fight with AI and new weapons, we can use the same tools for good. Predict floods before they destroy farms. Teach children in remote areas through phones. Connect doctors in Kebbi with patients in hard-to-reach places.

Our elders say “patience is good.” We have suffered, but we are resilient. Look at how people rebuild after attacks. How traders continue business. How youth create small businesses despite everything. This spirit will take us far.

The rains are coming soon. Farmers are preparing. Let this season be for planting food and new ideas. Government must do its part – more action on security, not just talk. Youth must reject violence and embrace learning. Parents must support girls’ education too. Everyone has a role.

In the end, a better world is possible. Not perfect, but fair. Where a boy from a village in Borno can become an engineer. Where a girl from Niger can run a big business. Where northerners, southerners, all Nigerians eat from the same big pot of prosperity. Justice for victims of violence. Opportunities for the talented and the hardworking.

We are living in very interesting times. Let us not waste them. Let us work together – with faith, with wisdom, with strong hands. Insha’Allah, our children will thank us for the Nigeria we build today.

May God bless Nigeria, bless Africa. Let there be peace, justice, and plenty for all.