society
Africa’s Endless Leadership Curse: Why West, Central and East Africa Remain Trapped in Under Development
Africa’s Endless Leadership Curse: Why West, Central and East Africa Remain Trapped in Under Development.
George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
“Decades of independence, trillions in natural wealth; yet Africa bleeds under recycled leaders, weak institutions and visionless governance.”
Introduction: The Paradox of Plenty.
More than six decades after independence, Africa remains a continent of contradictions; endowed with immense natural and human resources yet crippled by poverty, corruption and political inertia. From Nigeria’s REVOLVING-DOOR LEADERSHIP to Cameroon’s LONG-STANDING DICTATORSHIP under Paul Biya and Uganda’s near FOUR-DECADE RULE by Yoweri Museveni, Africa’s story reads like a broken record of promises betrayed. The tragedy is not that Africa lacks talent or resources. It is that it lacks visionary leadership and institutional accountability. As the late Chinua Achebe wrote in his classic The Trouble with Nigeria (1983), “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” That timeless diagnosis captures the state of most African nations today, a leadership vacuum sustained by GREED, TRIBALISM and a CULTURE of IMPUNITY.
The Mirage of Independence.
When NIGERIA GAINED INDEPENDENCE IN 1960, it was seen as the BEACON of BLACK HOPE and a nation destined to lead Africa into a new era of prosperity. Similarly, UGANDA and CAMEROON emerged from colonial rule with optimism and promise. Yet, independence merely replaced white rulers with black elites who preserved colonial structures of exploitation.
Since 1979, Nigeria has witnessed over a dozen leadership transitions (from Shehu Shagari to Muhammadu Buhari and now Bola Ahmed Tinubu) yet none have broken the chains of poverty, insecurity and infrastructural decay. Over 200 million Nigerians still share less than 5,000 megawatts of electricity, an amount that powers a single suburb in Johannesburg or London.
Cameroon’s story is even more tragic. Paul Biya, who became president in 1982, is now 92 years old and remains one of the world’s LONGEST-SERVING heads of state. He has ruled mostly from Switzerland, earning the nickname “the ABSENTEE PRESIDENT.” Meanwhile, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, who seized power in 1986, has altered the constitution twice to abolish term and age limits. Under his regime, dissent is criminalized, opposition silenced and political offices turned into hereditary possessions.
According to Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index, Nigeria ranked 145th, Cameroon 154th, and Uganda 142nd out of 180 countries and there are proofs that corruption remains INSTITUTIONALIZED not INCIDENTAL.
LEADERSHIP without VISION: The Heart of the Problem.
Africa’s political elite mistake longevity for leadership and charisma for competence. In advanced democracies, continuity means institutional strength; in Africa, it means autocracy. Angela Merkel ruled Germany for sixteen years and left behind a legacy of stability, innovation and fiscal discipline. By contrast, Biya and Museveni’s combined 81 years in power have produced neither industrial transformation nor human capital development.
Professor P.L.O. Lumumba, a respected Kenyan scholar, once said, “Africa is a continent of rulers, not leaders; men who love power more than they love their people.” This statement reflects the psychological foundation of Africa’s crisis, leaders see power as PROPERTY not RESPONSIBILITY.
In Nigeria, leadership recycling has reached absurd proportions. The same politicians who failed in the 1980s still dominate public life today under new party labels. The result is a stagnant political system where innovation is suffocated and accountability absent.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, once observed, “You cannot continue doing the same thing and expect different results. Africa must reform its governance if it must progress.” Yet, the message falls on deaf ears.
The Economic Tragedy of Political Greed.
Africa’s natural wealth is staggering. The continent holds 60% of the world’s arable land, 30% of mineral reserves and 12% of global oil reserves. Nigeria alone has earned over $1 trillion in oil revenue since the 1970s. Yet, the World Bank’s 2024 data shows that over 90 million Nigerians live in extreme poverty. Uganda’s GDP per capita hovers around $1,100, while Cameroon’s remains below $1,600.
Why this paradox? African leaders have chosen CONSUMPTION over PRODUCTION and LUXURY over LEGACY. National budgets are bloated with political overheads while critical sectors like education, health and research receive crumbs. In Nigeria, lawmakers earn one of the world’s highest legislative salaries, with over ₦300 billion spent annually on the National Assembly, yet public schools and hospitals crumble.
In Uganda, billions are spent on presidential security and propaganda while citizens struggle with inflation and unemployment. In Cameroon, decades of centralized power have turned state institutions into extensions of the presidency. Economist Jeffrey Sachs put it bluntly: “Africa’s greatest tragedy is not poverty but the failure of leadership to convert resources into opportunities.”
The Colonial Hangover.
Beyond politics, Africa’s backwardness is rooted in psychological colonization. Many POST-INDEPENDENCE LEADERS INHERITED COLONIAL MENTALITIES; VALUING FOREIGN VALIDATION OVER DOMESTIC INNOVATION. The West and more recently, China, continue to exploit this dependency through AID TRAPS and DEBT DIPLOMACY.
In the Central African region, Chinese loans have financed infrastructure projects that often end in debt crises, while Western corporations plunder resources in exchange for political patronage. The African Union (AU), which should serve as a continental watchdog, has become a gentleman’s club for autocrats. It condemns coups but tolerates constitutional manipulations and rigged elections.
Professor Ali Mazrui once noted, “Africa is the only continent where political independence preceded economic independence.” This imbalance explains why Africa remains economically enslaved despite political sovereignty. Without economic liberation and institutional autonomy, political freedom is a mirage.
The Regional Breakdown: West, Central and East Africa’s Failures.
The uneven development across Africa reflects the different degrees of dysfunction in its regions.
West Africa: plagued by COUPS, TERRORISM and ECONOMIC INSTABILITY. From Mali to Niger and Burkina Faso, military takeovers reflect citizens’ frustration with civilian incompetence. Nigeria, despite being the regional giant, faces WIDESPREAD INSECURITY, INFLATION and GOVERNANCE COLLAPSE.
Central Africa: dominated by DYNASTIC RULERS like Biya (Cameroon), Nguesso (Congo) and Obiang (Equatorial Guinea). These regimes suppress dissent, rig elections and loot state coffers with impunity.
East Africa: projected as stable but largely AUTOCRATIC. Museveni’s Uganda and Kagame’s Rwanda showcase controlled democracies where opposition is tolerated only in theory.
According to the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance (2024), the West, Central and East African blocs score the lowest in rule of law, participation and accountability. Citizens’ rights are routinely violated and media freedom is heavily restricted.
The cost of this failure is staggering. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimates that Africa loses $88 billion annually to illicit financial flows, mostly driven by corruption and capital flight; money that could have built schools, hospitals, industries and done good for its nations.
The Second Liberation: A Call to Conscience.
Africa’s first liberation freed it from colonial rule. The second must free it from corrupt elites and intellectual laziness. Change will not come through foreign aid or borrowed policies but through citizens’ awakening and institutional reform.
The new generation must rise beyond ethnicity and partisan loyalties. Youth must understand that democracy is not about voting every four years but about holding power accountable every day. Civil societies, journalists and reform-minded leaders must form coalitions that challenge the old order.
As Nelson Mandela declared, “Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great; you can be that great generation.” That call is urgent now more than ever. Africa cannot continue to romanticize its potential while squandering its future.
Final Word: The Courage to Lead.
Africa’s tragedy is not a curse from the gods; but a self-inflicted wound. The continent’s leaders have consistently failed to build nations beyond their tribes and ambitions. Until leadership becomes a duty, not a privilege (until institutions become stronger than individuals) Africa will remain a giant crawling on its knees.
History has shown that no nation develops by accident. LEADERSHIP, ACCOUNTABILITY and VISION are the engines of progress. From Singapore under Lee Kuan Yew to South Korea under Park Chung-hee, nations have transformed through discipline and purpose. Africa must learn this lesson or remain a byword for failure.
As George Omagbemi Sylvester concludes,
“Africa is not cursed; it is simply cursed by those who rule it. Until the throne becomes a place of service and not self-worship, our liberation remains incomplete.”
Meet the Young Entrepreneur-Actor, Awe Peter Oluwafemi, Owner of Boldness Lounge
The Nigerian entertainment industry continues to welcome fresh and passionate talents, and one of the latest names making waves is Awe Peter Oluwafemi, popularly known as Fmboldness. The fast-rising actor and entrepreneur from Ewu-Ekiti, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State, is already carving a niche for himself in Nollywood.
Fmboldness officially began his acting journey on October 3rd, 2024, under the mentorship of respected filmmaker Kayode Adebayo, fondly called Kay Alubarika. Interestingly, his introduction into the industry came through Azeez Tijani Cinematography, who connected him to Alubarika, opening the door to what is fast becoming a promising career.
Beyond acting, Awe Peter is also the proud owner of Boldness Lounge, a popular relaxation spot that reflects his vision, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. His venture into the hospitality sector demonstrates his belief in hard work, innovation, and providing value in multiple industries.
A graduate of life and persistence, Awe Peter’s educational journey began at St. Boniface Primary School in Ewu-Ekiti, after which he attended Ben Folarin College, Ado-Ekiti, before completing his secondary school education at Notre Dame Grammar School, Usi-Ekiti. In 2005, he was given an admission to study Mass Communication at the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, Lagos.
In addition to his acting and lounge business, Fmboldness also runs a transportation company, further showcasing his versatility and drive as a young Nigerian entrepreneur committed to growth and community development.
Speaking about his journey, Awe Peter described his experience in Nollywood as “an exciting adventure filled with learning, passion, and purpose.” He credited his boss, Kayode Adebayo, for guiding him and helping him discover his potential as a performer.
“Acting has always been my dream. I thank God for the opportunity and for meeting the right people like Alubarika and Azeez Tijani who believed in me,” he said.
With his determination, humility, and bold vision, Awe Peter Oluwafemi (Fmboldness) is definitely one of the new faces to watch out for in the movie industry. His story is one of talent, ambition, and boldness, a true reflection of his name. After proving himself in numerous movies he has featured in since the day he joined, Awe is definitely a resourcesful actor to watch out for in 2026.
society
Bloodlines of Theft: Corruption in Nigeria from the 1960s to Today; Who Will Break the Chain?
Bloodlines of Theft: Corruption in Nigeria from the 1960s to Today; Who Will Break the Chain?
George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
“They stole our future; then taught our children to do the same.”
From the ashes of colonial rule in 1960, Nigeria rose with immense promise, a land blessed with crude-oil, talent and a population hungry for progress. Yet, six decades later, corruption has eaten into the very fabric of the nation like a hereditary disease. It has become so deeply woven into the country’s political, economic and social DNA that many now describe it as something that “flows in our blood and veins.” From the corridors of power to the back alleys of bureaucracy, from the military barracks to the village councils, corruption is not just an act, it is a way of life.
The tragedy is not only that Nigeria’s leaders steal, but that they do so without FEAR or SHAME. Chinua Achebe lamented in The Trouble with Nigeria (1983): “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.”
That failure began in the 1960s. Independence came with hope, but also with political greed. The First Republic, barely six years old, collapsed in 1966 under the weight of ELECTORAL FRAUD, NEPOTISM and TRIBAL POLITICS.
When the military seized power, many Nigerians thought corruption would be crushed with the iron discipline of soldiers. Instead, the khaki rulers perfected it. They replaced the ballot box with the barrel of the gun and turned the national treasury into a private vault.
During the oil boom of the 1970s, when Nigeria’s crude production skyrocketed, billions of petrodollars flowed into the country. Instead of electricity, roads, refineries and schools, we got abandoned projects, phantom companies and padded budgets. The saying “OIL BOOM, OIL DOOM” was born. A 1980 World Bank report on Nigeria’s public spending revealed billions unaccounted for; proof that the boom enriched only the connected few.
Then came the 1990s, the darkest chapter in Nigeria’s corruption history, epitomized by the regime of General Sani Abacha (1993–1998). His government institutionalized looting on a global scale. The Nigerian government, through investigations and international collaboration, confirmed that more than $5 billion was siphoned into secret Swiss accounts and foreign investments. The so-called “ABACHA LOOT” has been repatriated in tranches from Switzerland, the U.S. and the U.K. yet much of it has been RE-STOLEN or UNACCOUNTED for, a vicious cycle that mirrors the very rot it sought to correct.
Nigeria among the most corrupt nations in the world, scoring between 20–27 out of 100 on its Corruption Perception Index (CPI) over the past decade. This is not a rating of shame; but a mirror of our collective moral decay.
From 1999, when Nigeria returned to democracy, through the administrations of Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan, Buhari and now Bola Ahmed Tinubu, corruption has remained a common denominator.
When Nigeria discovered oil in commercial quantity in Oloibiri in 1956, it should have guaranteed prosperity. Instead, it became a curse. A handful of elites cornered oil licenses, inflated contracts and built empires abroad. Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka once said:
“The Nigerian tragedy is not the absence of riches but the presence of thieves in power.”
The sad reality is that the system rewards corruption and punishes honesty. The elite steal to get richer, and the poor cheer them on and aspire to replace them. A civil servant earning ₦150,000 monthly drives a ₦50 million SUV, yet no one asks questions. A governor misappropriates billions and becomes a senator after leaving office. The common man, meanwhile, cannot afford a loaf of bread or a sachet of water.
The tragedy is worsened by moral fatigue. Many Nigerians now believe that corruption is normal due to a SURVIVAL STRATEGY. The taxi driver gives bribes to policemen, the trader inflates invoices, the student cheats/pays their way in exams and the pastor manipulates offerings. This cultural acceptance of wrongdoing is what has made corruption so resilient.
Comedian Gordons once joked bitterly during a stand-up show:
“In Nigeria, corruption has a driver’s license. Even if you catch it, the police will tell you to release it because it’s their oga.”
Even I Go Dye, another popular comedian, used his platform to challenge the people directly, saying:
“We can’t fight corruption by clapping for the corrupt. The day Nigerians stop laughing at thieves, the thieves will stop smiling.”
Their jokes sting because they reflect truth. Comedy has become one of the last weapons for telling the bitter truth in a society where truth itself is endangered.
How did we get here and what truly can be done?
1. Rebuild Institutions, Not Just Arrest Individuals.
Corruption thrives where systems fail. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) were created to fight graft, but they are often politicized. Real reform means granting them operational independence, free from presidential or partisan control. Trials of corrupt politicians must be swift, public and conclusive. The message must be clear: if you steal from Nigerians, you will lose your freedom, your wealth and your name.
2. Strengthen Civic Accountability.
Corruption will not die in silence. Citizens must demand transparency. Every Nigerian project (from roads to hospitals) should have an online record accessible to the public. Civil society and investigative journalists must be protected and encouraged. As Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala once said,
“No one can fight corruption for Nigerians except Nigerians. Everyone has to be committed from the top to the bottom to fight it.”
3. Reform Campaign Financing.
Politics in Nigeria is the most expensive in Africa. When candidates spend billions to win elections, they must recover their “INVESTMENT” once in office. We must regulate political spending, make campaign donations transparent and ban anonymous contributions.
4. Create Economic Incentives for Honesty.
When civil servants are underpaid and undervalued, corruption becomes tempting. Pay must reflect responsibility. Digital payroll systems should be enforced across all government agencies to close loopholes. Reward honesty publicly and shame theft openly.
5. Cultural Reorientation.
We must teach integrity from the home to the classroom. A society that worships wealth without questioning its source will continue to breed thieves. Media, entertainment and religious leaders must champion integrity as a national value.
6. Follow the Money; Even Abroad.
The Western banks that house looted funds must be pressured to disclose and return stolen assets. Nigeria must strengthen its financial intelligence units to trace offshore transactions. The Abacha case proves that stolen wealth leaves a trail, we only need political will to follow it.
7. Empower the Judiciary.
Without an independent judiciary, anti-corruption is dead on arrival. Judges must be selected on merit, protected from political influence and held to the highest ethical standards.
The biggest lie ever told to Nigerians is that CORRUPTION IS UNSTOPPABLE and that it is PART OF OUR BLOOD. No, it is not GENETIC; it is a CULTURE. And like every culture, it can be unlearned. It begins with leadership, but it ends with us. Every bribe we pay, every rigged vote we tolerate, every silence in the face of theft, these are the nails we drive into our own coffin as a nation.
As the late Kenyan scholar Prof. Patrick Lumumba aptly said,
“Africa is poor because her leaders are thieves.”
Nigeria must decide whether it will remain part of that tragedy or rise as the exception.
Our children deserve more than this endless cycle of looting and lamentation. Corruption has stolen our future, but it does not have to own our destiny. The cure will not come from London or Washington; it will come from a generation of Nigerians who refuse to bow to thieves, who will name corruption for what it is: treason against the people.
Let this be the call to citizens, journalists, teachers and even comedians to make corruption socially unacceptable again. The elites may steal our gold, but they cannot steal our conscience unless we hand it to them.
And if CORRUPTION truly flows in our veins, then let INTEGRITY be the blood transfusion that saves Nigeria.
Rasheed Ayinde Adekunle : The Ibadan-Born Icon Who Redefined Fuji Music
Mayor Rasheed Ayinde Adekunle, also known as (Merenge) is a legendary and veteran Nigerian Fuji musician born on july 23rd 1963, He is known for revolutionizing Fuji music by incorporating modern sounds into the melody-which helped disseminate it across Fuji music audiences.
His professional career began in 1980, after he left his boss band and established his own music band, he was once a back up artist under late Ayinde majester Apanpa , his first musical album recorded and released in 1983 titled Owo( Money) under the record label of Alhaji Kamaldeen Oluyole records and while the second album was released in 1985 and third in 1986, he embraced Alhaji wasiu Talazo” Fuji style in 1984 after they met in 1983 in Ibadan .Rasheed Ayinde was born and brought up in Ibadan, he attended progressive day school Aladorin isale osi Ibadan, the same school attended by the Olubadan of Ibadan his imperial majesty Oba ( Senator) Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja( Arusa1) and Senator Sarafadeen Abiodun was his class mate in the same school.He is also a respected cultural ambassador and he has received so many recognitions, chieftancy title and awards.
Early life and career
Born in 1963 in Ibadan by late Alhaji&Alh Liadi Olalere of Ile Alaja, Ita Okoro, isale Osi Ibadan.
He showed a passion for music at age tender age, he has been so fantastic ever since then.
He started from “Were” while he was 13years of age with his twin brother to awake Muslims during Ramadan period, he joined late Ayinde Majester Apanpa at very tender age’ while he’s still in secondary school, he attended Baptist secondary Oke Ado Ibadan but he couldn’t finish his studies due to financial constraints.
He was once a “motor boy” with the likes late NURTW boss Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde Fele before he ventured into music.
He joined the band of Ayinde majester Apanpa around 1978.
Musical career and impact
His first album was released in 1983 named Owo( Money),another one in 1985,Owo 2(money power) was released in 1986 and he has released over 40albums up till date.
Early 1990’s he created a new Fuji music style/ genre known as “Merenge” a lively style of musical genre, known as energetic, two beats rhythm which combines African and European influences, this music is characterized by simple side to side hip dance and solo classical genres. This innovation was introduced by Rasheed Ayinde Adekunle into Fuji music and it was embraced and emulated my many Fuji musical artists across the nation.
He had his first music travel tour in 1988 to France 🇫🇷 ( Paris), as the first amongst his contemporaries and the first Ibadan based Fuji musical artist to travel overseas to perform and ever since then, he has toured almost all the continents in the world, Africa, Asia,Europe, Uk, North America etc.
He’s known for known for signature blend in Fuji music,he’s considered as the master of his genre and he has several numerous accolades both home and abroad.
He’s known for his signature name OGO-IBADAN” he’s married and blessed successfully children. Mayor Rasheed Ayinde is known for his leadership style,humility, humbleness, integrity and professionalism.
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