Nigeria presents one of modern economics' most perplexing contradictions. Here is a nation that has weathered oil price collapses, currency devaluations, pandemic shocks, and persistent inflation—yet continues to lumber forward. This resilience, however, masks a more troubling reality: an economy trapped between its vast intellectual potential and the grinding poverty of its 220 million citizens. While official statistics may paint a picture of growth, the lived reality for the majority of its citizens often tells a different story. This disconnect between economic intellect and on-the-ground reality begs a fundamental question: What is driving resilience in an economy seemingly prone to self-sabotage, and how can Nigeria truly harness its immense potential to achieve a quantum leap?