A country that consumes foreign technology but cannot build and sustain its own major institutions remains economically exposed and psychologically dependent.
Nigeria does not suffer from a shortage of entrepreneurial talent. It suffers from the difficulty of converting enterprise into durable institutions. Many businesses rise around a founder, dominate a moment and weaken before they can become national infrastructure. This is why the survival and renewal of indigenous corporate champions matter.
Globacom is one of those champions. Its significance lies not in perfection, but in what it represents: Nigerian ownership operating at scale in telecommunications, a sector central to commerce, identity, security and modern life. The company has created jobs, supported suppliers, invested in infrastructure and carried Nigerian ambition into other markets. Its existence gives the country strategic and symbolic value that cannot be captured by subscriber rankings alone.
Indigenous ownership does not guarantee good service, and patriotism must never become an excuse for mediocrity. Local companies should be held to demanding standards precisely because they carry national expectations. But criticism should aim at strengthening them, not casually dismissing the importance of their continued existence.
The economic case is straightforward. Strong domestic firms deepen local expertise, retain more decision-making capacity, create pathways for vendors and provide a base from which African expansion becomes possible. They also give regulators and governments more strategic options than a market entirely controlled by external capital.
The psychological case is equally important. Nations need visible examples of citizens building difficult things. A major telecom network, an undersea cable and a pan-African brand tell young entrepreneurs that scale is not forbidden. They make ambition feel less imported.
As Glo turns 23, Nigeria should celebrate the company generously while insisting on its next standard of excellence. The brand must become faster at listening, clearer in communication and relentless about quality. It must convert heritage into innovation and national affection into daily customer satisfaction.
That is how corporate patriotism should work. The country supports and recognises its champions; the champions repay that trust through performance, investment and responsible citizenship. Nigeria needs more institutions that can survive cycles, absorb shocks and continue building. Glo’s anniversary is therefore more than a private milestone. It is a reminder that national capacity is accumulated through companies that dare to remain, renew and compete.
