By Abubakar Suleiman

Same hall at the Abuja Continental Hotel. A familiar crowd ,  professionals, technocrats, public servants, and perhaps, as the moment demands, public masters. I sat quietly, not to be noticed, but to listen   attentively and with reverence. Two Nigerians were marking the golden milestone of 50, and instead of indulgent self-congratulations, they gave us a gift: a vision of what Nigeria could become.

It is humbling to be in the presence of those who chose service over self, Nigeria above all else. On this occasion, two of the most impactful public figures of my generation offered us a different kind of celebration. Sim Shagaya’s birthday was a call to arms on education, while Taiwo Oyedele transformed his own celebration into a policy lecture on taxation. Each man   without coordination, yet in perfect harmony   focused on dismantling the roots of poverty. Not with platitudes, but with clarity, courage, and conviction.

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Sim Shagaya: Architect of Possibility

Sim Shagaya has spent the better part of his life building bridges where others saw barriers. A technology entrepreneur of global repute, he launched Konga, one of Nigeria’s earliest e-commerce giants, and uLesson, a platform that has redefined education across the continent. But beyond the startups and headlines, Sim has become a voice for equity in education ,  a man driven by the belief that a Nigerian child in Kaura Namoda deserves the same opportunity as one in Ikoyi. His work is shaping a new reality in which innovation meets public good, proving that education is not only a policy challenge but a solvable one — if the right minds and hearts commit to it.

Taiwo Oyedele: The Tax Reformer

Then there is Taiwo Oyedele ,  a name that has become synonymous with clarity in tax reform. Former fiscal policy partner at PwC and now the chair of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, Taiwo has spent decades decoding the puzzle of Nigeria’s public finance system. But more importantly, he has taken on the difficult task of rebuilding trust between citizens and the state. His reforms promise not just a leaner, more efficient tax code, but a fairer one ,  designed to empower, not punish. In a nation wary of government, Taiwo is that rare breed who reminds us what technical competence looks like when wrapped in moral authority.

The Nigeria They Represent

Now imagine a Nigeria with not two, but thousands of Sim Shagayas and Taiwo Oyedeles. Citizens of intellect, courage, and principle. A critical mass of deeply educated, highly skilled Nigerians with global experience   and the will to serve. Imagine them leading universities, running state governments, reforming our institutions, launching enterprises, rebuilding broken systems not with noise, but with knowledge.

Picture a Nigeria that funds itself, not from oil wells or handouts, but through a combination of fair and adequate taxation and significant domestic savings. A Nigeria where inflation is tamed, where prices are stable and predictable, and where every child is guaranteed quality education by the state until the age of 18. A Nigeria where public service is the highest aspiration of the educated class   not a fallback, not a compromise.

In this Nigeria, citizens don’t merely vote every four years , they participate actively in shaping their communities. Ward meetings, local council debates, town hall dialogues   these are no longer relics of idealism but the backbone of democracy. The most brilliant among us do not hide behind screens; they step forward, despite the costs, to serve with integrity.

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This is a Nigeria that inspires West Africa ,  not just in GDP or population size  but in ideas, values, and leadership. It becomes Africa’s anchor in global diplomacy, the negotiating voice in climate, trade, and technology conversations. A Nigeria that not only succeeds but leads.

The Real Celebration

This is not just a celebration of two middle-aged men. It is a tribute to what happens when people use their birthdays not to throw parties, but to provoke thought. Sim and Taiwo gave us more than speeches; they offered blueprints. They chose to look outward, not inward; to activate possibility, not nostalgia.

So, as you turn 50  now or someday , ask yourself: Will you only be celebrating your past accomplishments, or activating Nigeria’s future?

The answer may just determine whether the country we imagine today becomes the country we inherit tomorrow.