Nigeria Is Independent, But Still Not Free — Demas Nwoko

Renowned Nigerian architect, artist, and cultural philosopher Demas Nwoko has declared that Nigeria’s political independence did not translate into genuine freedom, arguing that true liberation goes far beyond the lowering of colonial flags and the raising of national symbols.
Speaking on his life’s work, ideas, and philosophy, Nwoko said independence without originality, self-reliance, and cultural confidence amounts to a hollow victory. According to him, a nation cannot claim to be free if it continues to think, build, and organise itself primarily through borrowed frameworks.
“Freedom is not achieved by ceremonies or anniversaries,” Nwoko has often argued. “It comes from the ability to define yourself, create for yourself, and solve your problems using your own understanding of reality.”
The celebrated architect criticised Nigeria’s long-standing dependence on foreign models in architecture, governance, education, and aesthetics, noting that such reliance has weakened national identity and limited innovation. He maintained that many post-independence leaders focused on political control rather than cultural and intellectual liberation.
Nwoko’s own career stands as a counter-example. Known for his commitment to indigenous materials, climate-responsive designs, and African aesthetics, he has consistently promoted architecture rooted in local environment, history, and culture. For him, buildings are not just physical structures but expressions of identity and philosophy.
He warned that copying Western systems without adapting them to African realities has produced cities, institutions, and policies disconnected from the people they are meant to serve. This, he said, is one of the reasons Nigeria continues to struggle with development despite its vast human and natural resources.
Beyond architecture, Nwoko called for a deeper cultural awakening — one that encourages Africans to value their history, languages, and creative traditions. He stressed that economic progress and political stability will remain fragile unless they are anchored in cultural self-knowledge.
As Nigeria reflects on decades of independence, Nwoko’s message is both a challenge and a call to action: true freedom begins when a nation trusts its own ideas, invests in its people, and dares to be original.