The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s state of affairs in 2025, describing the year as one marked by deep economic hardship, governance failures, insecurity and a shrinking civic space, while warning that the country stands at a critical crossroads.

Speaking at an end-of-year media briefing in Abuja on Saturday, Executive Director of CHRICED, Comrade Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, said Nigerians endured “a year of trials, truths and turning points,” as rising inflation, a weakened naira and poor policy choices combined to worsen living conditions for millions.

According to him, although the year began with hope that political leaders would govern with empathy and accountability, citizens were instead confronted with soaring prices, shrinking incomes and widening inequality. He noted that while official statistics sometimes suggested economic improvement, the daily reality for ordinary Nigerians told a different story.

“Transportation costs soared, medicines became unaffordable, and essential goods turned into luxuries. Families were forced to make impossible choices,” Zikirullahi said, adding that even reported drops in food prices did not translate into relief for poor households due to widespread unemployment and low incomes.

He also warned that farmers were counting losses as the high cost of fertilisers, labour and transportation remained unresolved, a situation he said could discourage food production and deepen hunger in the coming year.

On governance, the CHRICED boss criticised what he described as extravagance and tone-deaf leadership, accusing public officials of indulging in luxury while citizens struggled to survive. He faulted the continued neglect of the Oronsaye Report on reducing the cost of governance, saying political leaders had instead expanded government structures and spending.

“This contradiction is not just irresponsible, it is immoral,” he said, arguing that a government that demands sacrifice from the poor while expanding its own privileges has lost its moral compass.

Zikirullahi also raised concerns over Nigeria’s democratic health, citing flawed off-cycle elections in 2025 characterised by voter suppression, violence and lack of genuine competition, particularly in local government polls. He warned that public confidence in the judiciary had further declined due to allegations of corruption and inconsistent judgments.

He expressed alarm at what he described as Nigeria’s accelerated drift towards a de facto one-party state, driven by mass defections of opposition lawmakers and governors to the ruling party. According to him, this trend weakens accountability, encourages electoral manipulation and fuels public disillusionment.

“Insecurity remains pervasive despite massive defence spending,” Zikirullahi said, listing kidnappings, banditry and insurgency as ongoing threats that have displaced communities, disrupted farming and forced businesses to shut down. He stressed that security must go beyond slogans and be backed by competence and political will.

The CHRICED executive director further decried the shrinking civic space, alleging that peaceful protesters, journalists and activists faced intimidation and repression in 2025. He warned that silencing dissent undermines democracy and accelerates authoritarian tendencies.

Declaring that Nigeria is at a crossroads, Zikirullahi said the choices made in 2026 would determine whether the country continues down a path of hardship and repression or reclaims justice, dignity and shared prosperity.

He called on the government to urgently reduce the cost of governance, implement the Oronsaye Report, prioritise agriculture and manufacturing, reform the judiciary and security sector, strengthen the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), protect civic freedoms and tackle corruption decisively.

He also urged citizens to move beyond endurance to action by holding leaders accountable, refusing to sell their votes and defending their rights.

“Silence is no longer an option,” Zikirullahi said, expressing optimism that despite the hardships of 2025, hope is not lost if Nigerians remain united and resolute.

He concluded by thanking the media and civil society partners for their support, expressing hope that 2026 would mark a turning point for the nation.