Is personal goodness enough in the absence of strong institutions, shared values, and collective action? What kind of nation are we building through the choices we make every day? If you’ve been thinking deeply about Nigeria, lovingly, critically, or reluctantly, this issue is for you.

Nigeria is characterised by its people. Resourceful, talented, resilient, “good people,” at home and in the diaspora. But these values, on their own, have never built a nation.

For the second issue of The Custodian, we are interrogating a popular Nigerian axiom: that our greatest strength is our people and our greatest tragedy is everything else.

If Nigeria is a country of good people, what does it take to build a great nation? Where does personal virtue end and collective responsibility begin? And what happens when goodness exists in a system that does not reward it?

In this issue, we seek to examine the tension between individual character and national outcome, between intention and structure, hope and reality.

We are interested in stories that critically explore Nigeria through the actions, choices, and contradictions of its people. We’re looking for stories that explore (but are not limited to):

• Good people in bad systems: How institutions shape behaviour
• The myth of Nigerian goodness (when “niceness” replaces accountability)
• Everyday ethics: Small compromises and their national consequences
• Civic responsibility and what we owe each other beyond survival
• Corruption as culture vs corruption as a system
• Youth, protest, apathy, and moral fatigue
• Nation-building in fragments: communities doing what the state won’t
• Diaspora distance: Can you help build a nation you no longer live in?
• Personal stories of integrity, compromise, loss, or quiet resistance

We are not interested in moral superiority or despair journalism but honesty, nuance, and lived experiences.

Who Can Submit?

The call is open to all. 

Our goal is to create a cultural and historical document that truly captures the nuances and explores the tension between people and country. We celebrate the diversity of forms and strongly encourage its expression in submissions. 

What We’re Looking For

• Authentic voices and perspectives 
• Stories that challenge stereotypes
• Features & long-form essays
• Personal narratives & creative non-fiction
• Profiles & interviews
• Photo essays & visual storytelling
• Illustration & conceptual art
• Poetry (limited selection)

How to Submit

Send your pitches or completed pieces to submissions@culturecustodian.com with the subject line “Good people, Great Nation?: [Your Name]”

Include a brief bio and any relevant writing samples or portfolio links.

Submissions Open: 15th Jan- 2nd March 2026

A Note on Inclusivity

We are committed to providing an inclusive platform for all. Discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, or any other factor has no place in our publication.

Your stories matter. Your experiences are valid. Your voice deserves to be heard.

We can’t wait to read your submissions!