Nigeria’s lack of human freedom severely hinders its economic and societal progress.

Nigeria’s dismal ranking in the 2023 Human Freedom Index (HFI) reveals a deeper crisis. While personal freedom shows glimmers of promise, economic and human freedoms lag far behind. The nation’s persistent struggles with corruption, social injustice, and security issues are well-documented, yet the pervasive lack of human freedom continues to hinder both economic growth and personal liberty.

In the latest HFI, co-published by the Cato Institute and the Fraser Institute, Nigeria stands at 118th—an improvement from its 124th position in 2022. However, this slight ascent is far from a triumph. Despite surpassing its past performance, Nigeria remains behind several other developing nations, indicating that the progress is superficial.

This study underscores a critical point: if Nigeria is to foster meaningful societal progress, it must prioritize freedom and liberty. The country’s ranking, lower than nations such as Ghana (66th), Gambia (90th), and Kenya (93rd), and even behind countries recently destabilized by coups like Niger (109th) and Gabon (100th), highlights a grim reality. A significant portion of the Nigerian population—at least one in three—continues to suffer from severe restrictions on their freedom, whether through police brutality, human rights violations, or governmental repression.

While Nigeria’s overall performance in the HFI shows some improvement, its internal challenges clearly tarnish the nation’s global image and economic potential. The degradation of human freedom—exemplified by kidnappings, religious conflicts in the North, and pervasive corruption within law enforcement—directly undermines economic growth.

The Nigerian government must take the HFI findings seriously. The index illuminates the dire state of human rights in the country and reveals how these conditions are shackling the economy. The 2023 HFI report ranks Nigeria’s human freedom at 118th with a score of 5.96, while economic freedom fares slightly better at 81st with a score of 6.67. Nevertheless, the overall ranking of 118th reflects a nation struggling to keep pace with its peers.

Experts point to the rise of authoritarianism, increased government surveillance, and the erosion of civil liberties as primary drivers behind Nigeria’s stagnant freedom. “Authoritarian governments are increasingly limiting political opposition and media freedom, and their use of surveillance technologies is undermining individual privacy. Additionally, economic insecurity and inequality are eroding social and economic rights, leading to a decline in human freedom.”

The Nigerian government must prioritize protecting and promoting human rights to reverse this downward trajectory. This means bolstering civil society organizations, supporting independent media, and addressing economic inequality. International bodies also have a role to play—holding governments accountable, offering financial and technical assistance, and providing education and training on human rights.

Human freedom is not just a moral imperative but a crucial factor in attracting international investment. Without it, economic growth will remain stunted, leaving Nigeria trapped in a cycle of underdevelopment where citizens lack the liberty to shape their own futures.