Nigeria, March 18 -- Nigeria's post-independence journey is a story of hope, struggle, and resilience, written in the actions of its leaders and the reactions of its people. From the exuberance of October 1, 1960, when the green-white-green flag was hoisted in place of the Union Jack, to the modern era of economic uncertainties and political tensions, Nigerian leadership has been both the architect of progress and the culprit of setbacks.

The road to independence was paved with idealism, as the likes of Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello envisioned a Nigeria that would take its place among the world's great nations. But leadership in a country of over 250 ethnic groups was never going to be simple. The euphoria of freedom ...