Democracy is not measured only by elections; it is measured by the quality of life citizens experience every day. As Nigeria commemorates Democracy Day, it is important to reflect not only on the progress made since the return to democratic governance but also on the challenges that continue to affect millions of Nigerians. The Economic Reality Facing Nigerians Nigeria remains Africa's largest economy by population, blessed with abundant natural and human resources. Yet, many citizens continue to struggle with rising living costs, unemployment, inflation, and declining purchasing power. The prices of food, transportation, housing, healthcare, and education have increased significantly in recent years, placing pressure on households and businesses. Small and medium-sized enterprises, which form the backbone of economic growth, face challenges such as high operating costs, limited access to affordable financing, and unstable power supply. While economic reforms are often introduced w...