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Nigeria at 64: The Case for Purposeful Leadership
By Franklyn Ginger-Eke
As Nigeria marks her 64th Independence Anniversary in October 2024, the celebratory mood across the nation is juxtaposed with an undeniable reality: the country is in the throes of a profound economic crisis. Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, inflation has skyrocketed to 25.8%, unemployment remains intractably high at 33%, and the value of the naira continues to plummet. In households across Nigeria, many citizens grapple with rising food prices, increased taxes, and a shortage of opportunities that has led to a growing sense of desperation and disillusionment.
The deepening hardship signals one clear truth: the need for purposeful, responsive, and selfless leadership has never been greater.
For decades, leadership in Nigeria has been synonymous with patronage, corruption, and a disconnect from the everyday struggles of the average citizen. This leadership deficit has compounded economic challenges, resulting in sluggish reforms and inadequate public infrastructure. Today, the nation sits precariously at the crossroads of immense potential and escalating hardship.
But economic failure is not just about policies or markets; it is a reflection of governance. It mirrors the quality of decisions made by leaders who either lack the courage or the will to tackle deep-rooted problems. It is, at its core, a crisis of leadership.
In these challenging times, it is imperative to call for a renaissance of leadership across all sectors—politics, business, and civil society. Nigeria does not need leaders who merely occupy offices; it needs leaders who will.
True leadership is service, not dominance. Our leaders must shift from the “big man” syndrome to a model where serving the people is paramount. In times of hardship, leaders must be the first to make sacrifices, showing empathy and prioritizing the needs of the populace above personal gain.
Engage in Data-Driven Decision Making: Leadership in the 21st century must be informed by data, not sentiment. The ongoing economic challenges demand evidence-based solutions, not populism. Leaders must rigorously analyze socio-economic indicators—like unemployment rates, inflation, and poverty levels—before rolling out policies that impact millions of lives.
Nigerian leaders must rise above the corruption scandals and nepotism that have marred governance for decades. Leadership with integrity—free from self-serving agendas—is the bedrock of national transformation.
The economic landscape is rapidly evolving, requiring leaders who are not only responsive to the immediate needs of the people but are also agile enough to adapt their policies to changing realities. As poverty deepens, citizens expect leaders who understand their plight and can provide immediate relief through targeted interventions such as social safety nets, subsidies for essential goods, and job creation initiatives.
Countries that have successfully navigated economic crises are often those that had leaders who led with purpose and clarity. In Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew’s transformative leadership demonstrated how a focus on pragmatic governance, zero tolerance for corruption, and a clear vision for development can catapult a struggling nation to prosperity. Similarly, post-apartheid South Africa saw Nelson Mandela exemplify sacrificial leadership, uniting a deeply divided country while laying the foundation for inclusive governance.
Nigeria, with its vast resources and entrepreneurial population, can similarly chart a new path—if only it adopts a leadership paradigm that is purposeful, pragmatic, and people-centred.
The Role of Leaders Across All Strata
While the government bears the bulk of the responsibility, leadership is required across every facet of Nigerian society. Business leaders must lead ethically, rejecting exploitative practices that burden the consumer. Civil society leaders must act as watchdogs, holding those in power accountable while proposing viable solutions to national challenges. Community leaders must serve as pillars of integrity, fostering unity and a shared sense of purpose.
A Call to Action: Time to Reinvent Leadership
It is time for Nigeria’s leaders, at all levels, to re-invent themselves. They must rise to the occasion and provide the transformative leadership that this moment demands.
For Nigeria to realize her potential, leaders must:
Listen to the People.
Policy must align with the reality on the ground. The rise in fuel prices, taxes, and unemployment means leaders must prioritize the voice of the citizens, especially the most vulnerable.
Leaders must work to build trust, a commodity that has been lost due to years of unfulfilled promises and opaque governance practices. In the digital age, transparency and accountability are non-negotiable.
No single institution can solve Nigeria’s problems. Political, business, and civil society leaders must work in concert to forge solutions to the complex challenges we face, from economic recovery to social cohesion.
As Nigeria steps into her 64th year of independence, the case for purposeful leadership cannot be overemphasized. The economic challenges are daunting, and the road to recovery will be long and difficult. But with a leadership class that is willing to sacrifice, to serve with dignity, and to put the people first, there is hope for a better tomorrow.
The time for excuses is over. Now is the time for leaders who can rise above narrow interests and lead Nigeria into an era of prosperity, unity, and purpose.
The Nigerian people are watching. History will judge our leaders not by their intentions but by their actions. Let this anniversary be the moment we look back on as the turning point—when Nigeria’s leaders finally rose to the challenge and led with purpose.
At The Rainbow Strategy, we stand as partners in shaping a better narrative for Nigeria. Through strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and public affairs, we are committed to working with leaders across sectors to forge a path that reflects the true potential of our great nation. Together, we can chart a course for a Nigeria where leadership is defined by service, and where every citizen is empowered to thrive.
Happy Independence, Nigeria! May the road ahead be one of renewal, transformation, and lasting change.
* Franklyn Ginger-Eke, a public affairs and strategic communication expert. writes from Abuja.
By Gloria Ikibah
Nigeria and the European Union have renewed efforts to conclude the long-pending EU-Nigeria Re-Admission Agreement as both sides seek to deepen cooperation on migration, legal mobility and security.
The issue featured prominently during a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York. The .
In a statement by the Nigerian Foreign Ministry the proposed agreement which was initiated in 2016, was also extensively discussed during the eighth Nigeria-EU Ministerial Dialogue in March 2026.
Brunner stressed the importance of concluding the agreement, saying its finalisation would provide a basis for broader cooperation between Nigeria and the EU on migration.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, however, emphasised that any migration partnership should address Nigeria’s development interests, including support for the reintegration of returnees, infrastructure development and expanded legal pathways for Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad.
She also stressed the need for structured and lawful mobility opportunities for Nigeria’s large and youthful population.
The EU delegation indicated that Nigeria’s concerns had been incorporated into a proposed broader migration and security cooperation framework.
The framework is expected to cover strategic dialogue on talent partnerships, legal migration pathways, reintegration of returnees, border management and support from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, Frontex.
The proposed cooperation will also explore an arrangement for information exchange with Europol to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to combat transnational organised crime.
Brunner said the EU was interested in developing legal migration pathways through talent partnerships, which could help address skills shortages in Europe while creating opportunities for Nigerian professionals.
The initiative is also expected to address concerns surrounding brain drain by creating more structured opportunities for Nigerians to work abroad while maintaining links with their home country.
The two sides further discussed cooperation against irregular migration, with Brunner indicating that progress in tackling irregular migration could help create greater opportunities for legal migration.
The European commissioner expressed interest in continuing discussions during a proposed visit to Abuja in November 2026, although the specific date is yet to be agreed by both sides.
The renewed engagement comes as the EU continues work towards formalising the readmission agreement. EU Council documents published in July 2026 also showed proposals for the signing and conclusion of an agreement with Nigeria covering the return and readmission of people who no longer meet the conditions for entry, presence or residence in the territories of either party.
The Nigeria-EU discussions therefore seek to address irregular migration and return while also expanding legal mobility, reintegration assistance, border management, security cooperation and opportunities for Nigerian professionals and young people.
By Gloria Ikibah
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, has said Nigeria’s grassroots development and mobilisation are central to the country’s foreign policy projection and international image.
The Minister stated this on Tuesday in Abuja while delivering a goodwill message at the 2026 maiden National Conference of the 774 Local Government Chairmen and Chairmen of Traditional Rulers’ Councils at the State House Banquet Hall.
The conference, convened by the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, was themed, “Cascading President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to the Grassroots.”
Enikanolaiye said policies implemented at the local level could have implications for Nigeria’s image and relations with other countries.
He said: “For us in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we believe that every aspect of our government policy at home has implications for foreign policy and Nigeria’s international relations. Which is why we are interested in everything that goes on domestically because foreign policy is also a projection of domestic policy. And in this context, grassroots mobilization and development is critical to what we do abroad”.
He argued that inclusive governance should be built from the grassroots upwards, rather than imposed from the top, while describing traditional rulers as an important component of Nigeria’s governance structure.
Enikanolaiye commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the conference and for recognising the roles of local governments and traditional rulers in the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
Linking his remarks to President Tinubu’s four-D foreign policy doctrine of demography, development, democracy and diaspora, the minister said the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda would ultimately depend on its impact at the grassroots.
On demography, he said Nigeria’s youthful population across the 774 local government areas represented a major asset that could strengthen the country’s position globally if properly empowered.
“On Demography, Nigeria’s youth in the 774 LGAs is our greatest global asset – empower the LGAs, convert numbers to power,” he said.
On development, Enikanolaiye said productive local governments were essential to achieving Nigeria’s economic ambitions, citing agriculture, mineral resources and major infrastructure projects as areas with potential to attract foreign investment.
“On Development, a $1 trillion economy is impossible without productive LGAs. With agriculture booming, 44+ minerals across 500 sites, and massive infrastructure like the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry highways, grassroots stability is what attracts FDI,” he stated.
The minister also linked stronger local governance to democracy, saying empowered local governments and traditional institutions would demonstrate the practice of participatory governance.
“Speaking On Democracy, empowering LGAs and traditional rulers proves Nigeria practises real, bottom-up democracy,” he said.
On the diaspora component of the doctrine, Enikanolaiye said improved conditions at home could encourage Nigerians living abroad to invest in the country and promote a positive image of Nigeria internationally.
“On Diaspora, when home is secure and working, the Diaspora will invest and sell the Nigerian story with confidence,” he noted.
He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would support the foreign policy component of grassroots development through investment matchmaking via Nigeria’s 110 diplomatic missions abroad and partnerships with Nigeria’s international partners.
The ministry, he added, would also leverage the community-level knowledge of traditional rulers in support of national security.
In a separate goodwill message, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel, represented by Dr Vitalis Obi, said local governments remained the closest tier of government to the people and were central to service delivery.
He also described traditional rulers as important actors in peacebuilding and reaffirmed the commitment of the civil service to accountability and measurable results.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Dr Onwusoro Maduka Ihemelandu, said the government lacked timely and verifiable data on interventions at the local government level.
He said the ministry had consequently developed an E-Tracking Framework to monitor projects, including their locations, values, timelines and verification status.
The National Coordinator of the Plateau Initiative for Growth and Development (PIGD), Nengak David, has appealed to residents to remain vigilant and help prevent further violence following renewed attacks in the state.
David urged people with credible information about threats, armed movements or plans for reprisals to alert the police or trusted community leaders promptly, without putting themselves in danger.
“Vigilance means recognising a threat and reporting it early. Tell the authorities where and when you saw it, and give only what you know firsthand. Do not approach armed people or attempt to confront them,” he said.
The appeal follows attacks in Barkin Ladi and Mangu. Plateau police confirmed the deaths of a senior officer and three civilians in separate incidents in Barkin Ladi, while a community group reported the killing of three men in Mangu.
David called on residents to reject reprisals and resist attempts to blame entire ethnic or religious communities for crimes committed by individuals.
“Every killing must be investigated, and those responsible must answer for it. Another innocent family must not suffer because someone chooses revenge or blames a whole community,” he said.
He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, women and youth representatives to bring emerging disputes to trusted mediators before tensions escalate. The United Nations Development Programme has identified local mediation and early warning as ways communities can help prevent conflict.
The PIGD coordinator also cautioned against circulating old videos, unverified casualty figures and inflammatory claims. “Before forwarding a frightening message, check when and where it was recorded. A false claim can spread fear and provoke harm long after the truth catches up,” he said.
David asked residents of Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu to observe the state’s 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and motorcycle ban, announced to remain in effect until further notice. He also appealed for food, shelter and other assistance to reach affected neighbours through trusted local groups, regardless of their background.
“Residents can share information and refuse provocation. Government, in turn, must act on credible reports, protect those who come forward and investigate every killing fairly,” David said.
Nigeria-EU Push to Seal Long-delayed Readmission Deal
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