UJAH: Unizik Journal of Arts and Humanities

Tinkering with the backbone of Nigeria’s national development? Rethinking youth development and persistent unemployment 2000-2025

2026-10-02T11:05:18+00:00

Since independence in 1960, Nigeria has grappled with the question of development despite its enormous human and material endowments. While several explanations have been advanced for this developmental dilemma, one recurring consensus remains that no nation can attain meaningful progress without deliberately investing in its youthful population. This reality has informed decades of youth-centred policies, empowerment programmes and institutional reforms introduced by successive governments, private organisations and international development partners. Ironically, however, the continuous expansion of these interventions has not produced a corresponding decline in youth unemployment or translated into the level of national development they were designed to achieve. It is this paradox that this paper interrogates. Drawing on the Human Capital and Dependency theories as complementary analytical lenses, and relying on qualitative analysis of policy documents, scholarly literature and empirical evidence between 2000 and the first quarter of 2026, the study argues that Nigeria's challenge lies less in the absence of youth development initiatives than in the structural and institutional environment within which such programmes operate. Persistent unemployment, weak implementation mechanisms, policy discontinuity, corruption, poor alignment between education and labour market realities, infrastructural deficiencies and growing dependence on externally supported interventions have combined to limit the transformative capacity of many youth empowerment programmes. The paper concludes that youth development cannot be achieved through programme proliferation alone but must be embedded within a coherent national development strategy capable of creating productive opportunities, strengthening institutions and repositioning young Nigerians as genuine drivers of sustainable national development.

Ndehie ‘na’ n’asụsụ Igbo dị ka mgbanwo echiche odee

2026-10-02T11:11:14+00:00

Nchọcha a bụ maka ndehie ‘na’ n’asụsụ Igbo dị ka mgbanwo echiche odee. A bịa n’asụsụ Igbo, ‘na’ nwere ụzọ ọrụ dị iche iche ọ na-arụ n’ụtọasụsụ Igbo. Nke ọbụla n’ime ha nwere etu e si ede ‘na’ iji gosi ọrụ ọ na-arụ n’ebe dị iche iche n’ahịrịokwu. Ihe nwanchọcha bu n’uche bụ igosipụta etu ndehie ‘na’ n’asụsụ Igbo si ebute mgbanwo n’echiche odee. Atụtụ a gbaosoro bụ atụtụ echiche izugbe nke Park (2010) na atụtụ akara mmekọrịta nke Blumer (1969). Na njedewe nchọcha a, a chọpụtara na ‘na’ nwere ụzọ ọrụ anọ pụtara ihe ọ na-arụ n’ụtọasụsụ Igbo. Ha bụ ndị a: ọrụ ‘na’ dị ka mbuụzọ, isingwaa, nnyemakangwaa, na njikọ. Nke ọbụla n’ime ha nwere etu e si ede ‘na’ iji gosi ọrụ ọ na-arụ n’ebe dị iche iche n’ahịrịokwu; E nwere nsogbu ndehie ‘na’ nye uto na amụmamụ asụsụ Igbo. A chọpụtakwara ihe ndị nwere ike ibute ndehie ‘na’ n’asụsụ Igbo; nakwa ụzọ a ga-esi gbochie ndehie ‘na’ dị ka nsogbu nye uto na amụmamụ asụsụ Igbo.

This paper is about the misuse of ‘na’ in Igbo language as a change in the meaning of an utterance. In Igbo grammar, ‘na’ is a prominent word that stands for different parts of speech in different occasions. In each of these, there is a system of writing ‘na’ in order to reflect the functions it performs and bring out the proper meaning it confers. The intenton of the researcher is to show how the misuse of ‘na’ can bring change in the meaning and the message the writer wants to pass across. The research was guided by the meaning making theory of Park (2010) and symbolic interactionsim of Blumer (1969). At the end of the study, the following findings were made: There are four major uses of ‘na’. They are, ‘na’ as preposition, conjunction, axiliary verb and verbroot, respectively. This research proved that failure to follow the grammatical rules ineach case leads to giving a different meaning to the write-up contrary to the intention of the writer. The findings also show the problems of misuse of ‘na’ in the development of Igbo study. It further showed the causes of the misuse of ‘na’in Igbo grammatical construction, and possible ways of preventing the problem in every day Igbo language usage.

Interrogating football transformation in Nigeria, 1945-2019

2026-10-02T11:24:51+00:00

The introduction of football in Nigeria in the early part of the twentieth century consequently attracted the launching of the Nigeria Football Association in 1945. Since then, this body, in conjunction with other actors, played key role in attempting to transform football by way of sports facilities and manpower provision. However, the growth of football in the country has been marred by many factors. Understanding these factors and how they have stagnated football growth could help identify the hurdles the agency needs to overcome in order to deliver on its mandate. There is need to document and analyze these factors. However, these have not been given the deserving scholarly attention. This could be attributed to undue interest among historians in the study of Sports History of Nigeria Against this backdrop that this study aims to fill this gap. It explores the stories of the Nigerian football namely, the origin of football in Nigeria, the reasons for setting up the football agency, its performance, as well as factors hampering football growth in Nigeria in the period 1945 to 2019. Relevant historical facts for the paper are derived from secondary sources. The study deploys both chronological and thematic approach in conjunction with qualitative method. The analysis revealed that the story of Nigeria’s football journey was hampered by a myriad of factors. First, the agency was plagued by corruption. Two, it did not enjoy a high degree of autonomy relating to its operation due to undue politics and government interference. Third, it was impacted by succession disputes as it sought to extricate itself from government meddlesomeness. Hence, the scorecard of the agency over these several decades left much to be desired.

Alụmalụ na nise nke steeti Anambra

2026-10-02T11:45:37+00:00

Alụmalụ bụ nwa agbọghọbịa na nwa okorobịa hụrụ onwe ha n’anya ibịakọ ma kwekọrịta na ha chọrọ ibi dị ka dị na nwunye, nke nwoke ewee gaa n’ụzọ omenala mee ihe niile o kwesirị ime iji mee ka mbikọ ha abụọ wee bụrụ ihe ndị nne, nna, ndị enyi, ikwu na ibe bụrụ ihe a nabatara nke ọma. Nchọcha a lebara anya n’alụmalụ na Nise dị n’okpuru ọchịchị Awka nke steeti Anambra. Nsogbu nchọcha bụ na o nwebeghị onye merela nchọcha a ma were asụsụ Igbo detue ya n’akwụkwọ dịka ihe nlere anya maka ọgbọ na-eto eto. Mbunuche nchọcha a bụ ịchọpụta ụdị alụmalụ dị iche iche e nwere na Nise, usoro alụmalụ dị iche iche, uru alụmalụ bara na ọghọm dị n’alụghị nwaanyị ma ọ bụ di. Atụtụ nchọcha a gbasoro bụ atụtụ ngụgọ nke na-ahụ ka odee si webata nkwenye ọ ma ma jiri ya na-akwado agwa dị iche iche n’edemede ya dị ka alụmalụ ịgụ aha. Ndị a gbara ajụjụ ọnụ na nchọcha a bụ ndị okenye nwoke ise na okenye nwaanyị ndị na-esonyekarị na mmemme alụmdi na nwunye na Nise ndị maara nke ekwe na-akụ n’ihe gbasara alụmalụ na Nise, tinyere echiche onwe. Nchọcha a chọpụtara na ụdị alụmalụ dị iche iche e nwere gụnyere: alụm di na nwunye otu nwoke na otu nwaanyị, alụm di na nwunye otu nwoke na ọtụtụ ụmụ nwaanyị, ịhachi nwaanyị, ikuchi nwanyị, ịlụchi nwaanyị. A chọpụtara na usoro alụm di na nwunye e nwere na Nise gụnyere; ịchọ nwaanyị, ịba ọhịa ajụjụ, ịkụ aka n’ụzọ, ịleta ụlọ, ịpịa akịrịka, ịgba nkwụ nwaanyị, ịga ọgọ bịa mara ụlọ. Nchọcha a chọpụtakwara na uru alụmal bara bụụ na ọ na-enye obi aṅụri, nye aka ka e nwee ike mụta nwa, mee ka e nwee onye enye m aka, onye nnọdebe ma nwee ike chie echichi. A chọpụtakwara na ọghọm dị n’onye anụghị nwaanyị ma ọ bụ di gụnyere: ịhụta onye ahụ dị ka akaloghori. Onye ụchụ di gbara, onye agaghị echi echichi na Nise na onye anaghị eso n’ọnụ ọgụ n’ezigbo ihe a na-eme. Uru nchọcha a bụ na nchọcha ga-adị ka ihe nlee anya dịịrị ọgbọ na-eto eto. Ọ ga-enyere ndị nkụzị na ndị ọzọ na-eme ihe nchọcha aka ma bụrụ ihe nrụgara akana kụzị omenala. Ọ ga-enyekwa aka wepụ ihe mgbagwoju anya dị iche iche a na-enwe mgbe a na-alụ nwaanyi. Nchọcha a ga-enye aka ka a maara ụdị alụmalụ dị iche iche e nwere na Nise. Aro maka onye nchọcha ọdịnihụ bụ ka ọnye nchọcha ọzọ lebaa anya n’ụdị omenala ọzọ n’obodo ọzọ ezughị Igbọ ọnụ ma detue ya n’Igbo ka omenala anyị na-abawanye.

Marriage occurs when a young woman and young man who love themselves came together and agreed that they would become husband and wife, the young man goes on to perform the marital rites as enshrined in the cultures and traditions of the people in other to make their union known and accepted by their parents, friends, families and associates. The problem of this study is that there is no documented research work on marriage in Nise for the younger generation. This research takes a look at the concept of marriage in Nise in Awka LGA in Anambra state. The purpose of the study is to find out the different types of marriage in Nise, the procedures of marriage in Nise, the advantages and disadvantages of not being married in Nise. The method employed in this research is a simple descriptive research method which explains how the researcher brought in the different believes and uses them to backup different marital claims. Five elderly men and women who are well rooted in the culture and tradition of Nise marital practices were randomly interviewed in addition to personal intuition of the researcher. The research found out that the different types of marriage in Nise are: alum di na nwunyi otu nwoke na otu nwaanyi (marriage between a man and a woman), otu nwoke na otutu umunwaanyi (a man and multiple women), Ihachi nwaanyi, Nkuchi nwaanyi and Iluchi nwaanyi. The procedures of marriage in Nise includes: icho nwaanyi (searching for a lady to marry), iba ohia ajuju (making inquiries about the girl), iku aka n’ uzo (making your marriage intentions known to her parents), ileta ulo (the lady going to stay briefly with the man’s family to ascertain whether or not to accept the marriage proposal), ipia akirika (paying her bride price), igba nkwu nwaanyi ( traditional marriage), ogo ibia mara ulo (in-law’s visit to know their daughter’s new home). The study also found out that the benefits of marriage include: creating happiness, helps in procreation, helps in bringing in a helper and a companion, and to be able to take a title. However, the disadvantages of not being married include: people seeing the person as worthless, not qualified for chieftaincy title in Nise. The study hereby recommends for further documented research in other Igbo towns about some cultures that are not yet versatile. So, that our cultures will continue to expand.

From humanitarian aid to commercial staple: The evolution of stockfish in Nigeria-Norway relations

2026-10-02T11:56:29+00:00

This paper examines the transnational trajectory of stockfish within Nigeria-Norway relations, tracing its evolution from a tool of colonial exploitation to a critical humanitarian lifesaver, and ultimately to a premium commercial staple. Utilizing a historical-structural framework, this study analyzes how a geographically distant Arctic commodity became deeply embedded in West African food security, economic networks, and cultural identity. Beginning in the transatlantic slave trade era, European powers utilized Norwegian dried cod as a durable, high-protein ration to sustain enslaved populations during the Middle Passage and on plantations. Following the abolition of slavery, British colonial consolidation institutionalized stockfish as a cheap dietary supplement for the emerging urban working class. The watershed moment occurred during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970), when Nordic humanitarian airlifts transformed stockfish from a routine market commodity into a symbolic lifesaver that mitigated the Biafran kwashiorkor epidemic. In the post-war era, indigenous merchant networks successfully commercialized this humanitarian footprint, integrating stockfish (Okporoko) into southeastern Nigerian culinary traditions and ceremonial rites. Finally, this paper analyzes contemporary macroeconomic dynamics, illustrating how the modern multi-million-dollar trade corridor operates as a system of asymmetrical interdependence. It highlights the vulnerabilities of this trade to Nigeria’s foreign exchange fluctuations and structural protectionism. The paper concludes that the Nigeria-Norway stockfish trade serves as a prime historical example of how accidental humanitarian interventions can forge permanent, resilient transnational commercial pipelines.

Glass ceiling, masculinity and women participation in Nigerian politics since Beijing 1995.

2026-10-03T14:43:58+00:00

Before colonialism, African women played very important roles in the administration of their communities. Many societies had women as community leaders or as key role players in the decision-making process, but with the advent of colonialism, the women’s role in politics began to change. Many Nigerian women gradually stopped being active participants and began to feature more in passive political activities. Consequently, politics in Nigeria slowly became the preserve of men, characterised by women who feature as observers or cheering participants of leaders. Today, women popularly feature in the women’s wing of many political parties, mobilising mainly female voters for male political candidates. In 2017, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) reported that the global participation of women was 23.3%, while statistics in Nigeria put the women's participation rate at 6.5% by 1st September 2017. Thus, women are still underrepresented and only take up 6.5% of political positions in Nigeria. One would think that with the effort made by the United Nations towards encouraging women's participation in politics in virtually all member countries, the number of women political leaders would triple what it is today. Based on this gap in women's political activities, this study uses a qualitative research method to analyse the challenges of women in politics in Nigeria. The paper posits that when women actively engage in policy making, gender ensitive laws will be given better consideration. The paper recommends that political party activities should be flexible enough to accommodate the family responsibilities of women, which will further encourage women's participation in politics. Furthermore, the paper recommends that women need to come together not just to form a women's wing in political parties but to give adequate support and encouragement to qualified female candidates

The problem of evil: A critical study of theism and suffering

2026-10-03T14:57:47+00:00

The problem of evil represents one of the most enduring challenges to theism, questioning how an omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent God can coexist with the reality of evil in the world This paper critically examines both the logical and evidential dimensions of the problem of evil, evaluates major theodicies including free will, soul maki ng. Augustinian privation, greater good, process theodicies, and analy s es real world case studies of suffering, such as natural disasters, famine, disease, and human atrocities. It also reflects on the strengths and limitations of theodicies in addressing extreme or gratuitous suffe ring, concluding with philosophical, ethical, and theological implications. This paper highlights the ongoing tension between divine attributes and human experience, demonstrating the importance of both reflection and moral action in responding to suffering.

La réalité factice: une analyse critique du réalisme dans les médias sociaux

2026-10-03T15:25:32+00:00

Le média social a popularisé le monde dans des dimensions différentes qui ont totalement changé le concept du monde en confondant la vie réelle et la vie factice. Ces changements déforment la perception de la réalité, ce qui entraîne un manque d'originalité, d’documentation et d’authenticité. Cette étude propose une analyse critique du concept du réalisme dans les médias sociaux. Ce sujet expose la réalité factice présentée dans différentes plateformes de média social et il propose l'intégration du concept du réalisme dans le média social comme une solution possible à corriger les actes des réalités factices. Pour effectuer cet objectif, nous avons adopté la théorie du réalisme et la théorie du postmodernisme de Baudrillard. Cette recherche met en lumière les discordances entre la réalité telle qu'elle est vécue et sa représentation médiatique et fait proposer l’importance du réalisme dans la résolution des ces discordances trouvées dans le média social.

Social media has taken the world to different dimensions that have fundamentally altered our understanding of the world by blurring the lines between real life and fabricated reality. These changes distort our perception of reality, leading to a lack of originality and authenticity. This study offers a critical analysis of the concept of realism in social media. This work is exposing the fake reality presented in different social media platforms and it proposes the integration of the concept of realisme into the social media as a possible solution to correct the acts of fake reality. To achieve this objective, we adopted the theory of realism and the post modernism theory of Baudrillard. This research highlights the discrepancies between original reality and its media representation and proposes the relevance of realism in the resolution of these discrepancies found in social media.

Littérature francophone Africaine et employabilité: enjeux et perspectives dans l'enseignement supérieur Nigérian

2026-10-03T15:31:09+00:00

Ces dernières années, l'accent mis sur l'employabilité est devenu plus important dans les universités nigérianes. Cette évolution est motivée par la nécessité d'aligner les programmes universitaires sur les exigences du marché du travail et les objectifs de développement socio-économique. Cependant, il reste difficile de démontrer la valeur pratique de certaines disciplines, en particulier les sciences humaines, telles que la littérature. Ces disciplines sont souvent considérées avec scepticisme quant à leur contribution à des perspectives de carrière concrètes. Cet article aborde la question de la sous-évaluation de la littérature francophone africaine dans le contexte de l'employabilité et du développement des compétences professionnelles. L'objectif est d'explorer comment les études littéraires dans le contexte francophone africain peuvent favoriser l'acquisition de compétences transférables, telles que la pensée critique, la compréhension culturelle et les aptitudes à la communication, qui sont très appréciées dans le monde du travail contemporain. À cette fin, une analyse qualitative est réalisée à partir d'entretiens avec des enseignants et des diplômés. Le résultat attendu est de démontrer qu'en plus d'enrichir l'identité culturelle, la littérature francophone africaine contribue de manière significative à la participation socio-économique en dotant les étudiants de compétences polyvalentes et pertinentes pour le secteur. En fin de compte, l'article plaide en faveur d'une reconnaissance plus large du rôle stratégique que les études littéraires peuvent jouer dans la préparation des étudiants aux complexités du marché du travail moderne, en favorisant une approche plus inclusive et holistique de l'enseignement supérieur en Afrique.

‘Stomach infrastructure’ and the challenge of environmental advocacy in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

2026-10-03T15:37:20+00:00

The study explored how economic underdevelopment in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic undermined environmental advocacy. Drawing on the Value-Change Theory, the study argued that pervasive material insecurity captured here as “stomach infrastructure”—undermines environmental advocacy by prioritizing immediate subsistence over long-term ecological stewardship. By contrasting weak environmental mobilization in Nigeria with robust civil society activism in the West, the study underscored the role of poverty, political leadership, and societal priorities in shaping advocacy outcomes. Ultimately, it argued that without addressing basic economic insecurity, environmental sustainability remains elusive, and therefore called for stronger state involvement to reconcile development with ecological preservation.

The Mmamu River, Enugu State and its congruent communities: A heritage and histo-geographical survey

2026-10-03T15:44:32+00:00

This study presents a comprehensive examination of the recreational geography of the Mmamu River, a fluvial system in Enugu State, Nigeria, whose course and character have profoundly shaped the cultural, spiritual, and socio-economic fabric of the communities it traverses. Employing a historical-geographical framework that integrates archival research, oral testimony, and cultural analysis, the paper reconstructs how the river has functioned not merely as a source of water and subsistence but as a theater of leisure, ritual, and identity formation from the precolonial era to the present day. It traces how seasonal rhythms of fishing, swimming, wrestling, and moonlight storytelling coalesced to create a recreational culture that was both sacred and communal. The paper critically evaluates how colonial rule and missionary evangelism restructured these practices, suppressing ritual elements while institutionalizing others through mission schools and holiday events. Postcolonial transformations, including labor migration, urban influences, and the spectacular staging of Gulder Ultimate Search Season 5 on the river’s banks, are analyzed as moments of reinvention that both commodified and revived local leisure practices. The study argues that the Mmamu River is best understood as a dynamic cultural landscape where memory, play, and survival intersect. It concludes by recommending community-driven eco-tourism, heritage preservation strategies, and environmental management policies as pathways for sustaining the river’s cultural and economic significance in the face of erosion, pollution, and climate variability.

The role of the railways in the spread of Islam among the Gbagyi Of Minna Area, 1901 - 1924

2026-10-03T15:52:06+00:00

Islam penetrated Minna area through Muslim traders/clerics in the 17th century.1 It was on this date that the indigenous Gbagyi in the study area began to witness a new form of worship in the name of Islam. At the initial stage of introduction of Islam, the religion could not gain ground among the Gbagyi. The people refused to identify themselves with Islam but adhered to their traditional religious belief which they claimed give them adequate guidance, protection and security. The Gbagyi continued to hold tight to their traditional religion and refused to change up to the time the Muslim jihadists launched jihad on the people in the 19th century. The jihadists who began their activities in the study area in 1810 continued throughout the century. Though, the jihadists were said to have launched the jihad on the people to Islamize them and spread Islam in the study area, however, the way and manner they organized and conducted the jihad made Islam unattractive to Gbagyi. In the course of their jihad, the jihadists did not invite the Gbagyi to Islam but instead subjected the people to raids, kidnapping and enslavement. This development made the people to brand Islam as a religion of slave raiders and merchants, hence the people’s refusal to embrace the religion of Islam. The refusal of the Gbagyi to identify themselves with Islamic religion continued up to the time of the arrival and construction of railways. The objective of this paper, is to examine how the construction of the railway contributed in the spread of Islam among the Gbagyi in the study area.

Traduction automatique et employabilite langagiere francophone: Opportunite d’extension ou de substitution professionnelle?

2026-10-03T15:58:23+00:00

La diffusion des technologies de traduction automatique neuronale et générative reconfigure en profondeur les modalités d’exercice du travail langagier. Pourtant, la littérature francophone demeure relativement peu articulée aux approches contemporaines de l’économie du travail et de l’automatisation. Cet article examine les effets de cette transformation technologique sur l’employabilité des professionnels langagiers francophones en mobilisant le modèle de l’automatisation fondée sur les tâches d’Autor et al. (2003), ainsi que le cadre du déplacement et de la réintégration des tâches proposé par Acemoglu et Restrepo (2019). L’analyse repose sur une étude documentaire qualitative d’un corpus de sources académiques, institutionnelles et sectorielles publiées entre 2015 et 2025. Les résultats mettent en évidence une recomposition plutôt qu’une substitution uniforme du travail langagier : les tâches routinières et codifiables sont davantage automatisées, tandis que les activités mobilisant jugement contextuel, compétences culturelles, post-édition et expertise terminologique se développent. Ces résultats plaident pour des politiques de formation et d’accompagnement fondées sur l’évolution différenciée des tâches.

Corruption, governance and sustainable development in Africa: Assessing the impact of corruption on development outcomes, 1999-2026

2026-10-03T16:12:13+00:00

Corruption remains one of the most persistent governance and development challenges confronting African states, despite decades of democratic transitions, institutional reforms, anti-corruption campaigns, and development interventions. This study examines the relationship between corruption, governance, and sustainable development in Africa from 1999 to 2026, with particular emphasis on the ways in which corrupt practices have influenced development outcomes across the continent. The study argues that corruption is not merely a problem of individual misconduct but a structural governance challenge sustained by weak institutions, political patronage, inadequate accountability mechanisms, limited enforcement of anti-corruption laws, and the capture of public institutions by political and economic elites. Using a qualitative historical and analytical approach, the study relies primarily on secondary sources, including scholarly literature, policy documents, institutional reports, and relevant African and international development assessments. It examines the effects of corruption on economic growth, poverty reduction, inequality, public-sector effectiveness, education, healthcare, infrastructure development, employment, environmental sustainability, and human security. The study demonstrates that corruption undermines sustainable development by diverting public resources, increasing the cost of governance and development projects, weakening public institutions, discouraging productive investment, and reducing citizens' access to essential services. It further observes that the developmental consequences of corruption are particularly severe where democratic institutions, judicial systems, civil society organisations, and accountability mechanisms are weak. However, comparative experiences across African states indicate that stronger institutions, political commitment, transparent public financial management, independent anti-corruption agencies, judicial accountability, digital governance, and active citizen participation can significantly constrain corrupt practices and improve development outcomes. The study therefore concludes that achieving sustainable development in Africa requires a fundamental shift from largely reactive anti-corruption measures towards stronger, independent, transparent, and accountable governance institutions. Combating corruption should consequently be integrated into broader strategies for democratic consolidation, inclusive development, poverty reduction, and the achievement of Africa's long-term development aspirations.

The invisible cage: Digital neuro-colonialism and the evolution of mental control in Nigeria

2026-10-03T16:31:28+00:00

This study examines the evolution of mental control in Nigeria from precolonial systems through colonial psychological assault to the contemporary phenomenon of digital neuro-colonialism. Drawing on Frantz Fanon’s analysis of colonial psychic fracture, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s critique of linguistic and cultural dislocation, and the work of Oyeronke Oyewumi and Ifi Amadiume on disrupted indigenous social logics, it traces how control shifted from visible mechanisms—fear, sacred authority, oracles, and institutional reprogramming—to subtler, internalized forms. In the post-independence era, “buried codes” of self-doubt, self-censorship, and sacred fear persist, sustaining psychological dependency even after formal political freedom. The paper introduces digital neuro-colonialism as the latest iteration of this control: algorithms, social media platforms, reward cycles (“dopamine loops”), pleasure economies, identity drift among youth, and politainment that pacify rather than empower. Unlike earlier regimes that relied primarily on fear, contemporary systems deploy distraction, emotional triggering, algorithmic tribalism, and curated illusions of success and participation. Interviews and secondary data on digital dependency, anxiety, and mental fatigue among Nigerian youth illustrate how screens and trends quietly shape thought, emotion, and civic behaviour. The analysis demonstrates continuity of purpose—shaping minds to maintain hierarchy—across historical epochs, even as tools change. True decolonization, the study concludes, requires reclaiming mental sovereignty through critical digital literacy, educational reform, media accountability, promotion of indigenous knowledge systems, and resistance to algorithmic pacification. Without such conscious effort, the “invisible cage” risks closing more completely, leaving Nigerians free in name but constrained in thought and action. Diagnosis and lamentations cannot solve the problem better than proactive structured actions from within.