Nigeria Must Stop Praying and Start Building

By Uchechi Okporie

Nigeria is a country where people pray a lot. When things are difficult, we pray. When we are looking for jobs, we pray. When we are facing hardship, corruption or insecurity, we pray. There is absolutely nothing wrong with praying. As Christians, we believe in the power of prayer.

But sometimes I ask myself: At what point do we stop praying and start doing something about the problems in front of us? The Bible tells us that there is a time for everything a time to cry, a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. To me, that also means there is a time to pray and a time to act.

We cannot continue to pray about corruption while some of us are still willing to participate in dishonest practices. We cannot pray for employment every day and refuse to think about what we can create. We cannot keep asking for a better country while waiting for somebody else to build it. Prayer is important, but prayer should not become an excuse for doing nothing.

Another issue that concerns me is our approach to education. In Nigeria, we place enormous value on certificates. Parents want their children to go to school, graduate and get good jobs. There is nothing wrong with that. Education is important. But what happens when someone has several certificates and still cannot create anything useful with what they have learned? That is where creativity comes in.

Look at countries such as China. They have invested heavily in manufacturing, practical skills, technology and production. They are not simply teaching people how to pass examinations; they are also creating an environment where ideas can become products.

Nigeria has intelligent young people too. We have students with great ideas. We have people who can build, repair, design, invent and create. But we need to do more to encourage those abilities.

School should not only teach a child how to answer questions in an examination. It should also teach that child how to look at a problem and ask, “What can I create to solve this?”

A certificate can open a door, but creativity can build a door where none exists. If we truly want a different Nigeria, we have to change the way we think. We need education that encourages creativity. We need young people who are willing to learn skills and create businesses. We need citizens who understand that fighting corruption is not only about complaining about politicians; it also begins with personal integrity.

And yes, we should continue to pray. But after the prayer, we must get up. After asking God for opportunities, we must be prepared to create and use them. After praying for development, we must be willing to contribute to it. After praying for a better Nigeria, we must ask ourselves what we are personally doing to make that Nigeria possible.

Nigeria does not need prayers without action. Nigeria needs prayer, wisdom, courage, creativity and action. We have prayed for change for years. Perhaps now, it is time to start building it.