By the time a nation begins to be afraid of tomorrow more than it hopes for it, something fundamental has already broken. Across Nigeria today, anxiety has become a national condition. Traders watch inflation erode purchasing power. Farmers weigh the risk of kidnapping before deciding whether to cultivate their land. Recurring attacks on schools and the abduction of pupils and teachers have left many parents worried about the safety of their children. Graduates question whether education will ever translate into job opportunity, while businesses struggle with rising costs and policy uncertainty. Meanwhile, much of the political conversation is already focused on permutations for the 2027 elections, even as citizens grapple with the pressures of everyday life.