Independence to Irrelevance: How Nigeria Is Now Governed in Exile

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

When Nigeria gained independence in 1960, there was a collective sigh of relief and pride. The shackles of colonial domination were cast off, and a new dawn beckoned with promises of self-determination, prosperity, and national dignity. But over six decades later, the hope that once inspired our founding fathers now lies buried under the rubble of poor leadership, foreign dependence, and a shocking lack of direction. Today, the bitter truth is this: Nigeria is no longer governed from Abuja, but from hotel suites and foreign palaces abroad.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is currently in France on what is being described—rather vaguely—as a “working visit,” while his Vice President, Kashim Shettima, is in Senegal for another official engagement. These frequent overseas excursions have become a defining feature of their administration. Far from isolated diplomatic efforts, they now represent a disturbing pattern: the government of Nigeria is effectively run from abroad, disconnected from the people and indifferent to the nation’s crises.

Since assuming office in May 2023, President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima have embarked on nearly 50 trips to over 30 countries, spending a combined total of nearly 200 days outside Nigeria. Countries visited include France (multiple times), the United Kingdom, the United States, Saudi Arabia, India, Qatar, Kenya, South Africa, the Netherlands, and the UAE. While some of these visits were linked to multilateral conferences or investment summits, the opacity surrounding many of the trips—especially those to France and the UK—raises serious questions. Are these truly “working visits,” or are they cleverly disguised medical vacations?

Even if we concede the need for international diplomacy and outreach, the timing, frequency, and sheer disregard for domestic issues are appalling. Nigeria today is a nation in distress. From widespread insecurity—banditry, kidnappings, assassinations—to rampant unemployment, food inflation, and a collapsing naira, the country is bleeding on all fronts. In such a moment of national crisis, one would expect a president to stay grounded, to lead from the front, not from Paris or Dubai.

What is even more infuriating is the repeated justification for these junkets: “securing foreign investment.” But must we travel cap in hand to foreign lands begging for investment? What have these trips yielded in tangible economic value? Where are the factories built, the jobs created, or the capital inflows attributed directly to these travels? Apart from the Obasanjo/Atiku administration—which famously negotiated the Paris Club debt relief and expanded the telecoms and banking sectors—what legacy of foreign investment has any administration after 2007 left behind?

Tinubu’s handlers claim his economic diplomacy is strategic, but the reality on the ground says otherwise. Foreign investors are not flocking to Nigeria. In fact, they are leaving in droves. In the past year alone, major multinational firms like Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline, and Sanofi have either scaled down operations or exited Nigeria entirely. Why? The reasons are glaring: harsh business conditions, unpredictable policies, skyrocketing inflation, over-taxation, and a regulatory environment that chokes innovation.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), capital importation into Nigeria dropped by over 30% in 2023, with many investors citing insecurity, policy inconsistency, and forex instability as major deterrents. No investor wants to commit capital to a nation where there is no power, no infrastructure, and no clear plan.

Instead of chasing foreign capital abroad, why not fix the fundamentals at home? Provide power. Ensure security. Simplify taxation. Uphold the rule of law. These are the things that attract investors—not foreign handshakes and photo ops in European capitals.

Furthermore, no foreign investor will commit to a nation that cannot feed itself. Nigeria’s food crisis is spiraling out of control. Inflation on staple items has crossed 30%, and hunger now stares millions in the face. Yet, farmers cannot access their farmlands due to insecurity. What serious economic policy can ignore food security as a cornerstone of national development?

If Tinubu truly seeks to attract investment, let him start by making the country safe. Investors—local or foreign—thrive in a climate of peace and predictability. No businessman will invest in a country where kidnappers roam free, terrorists ambush highways, and the national grid collapses every other week.

It is also worth noting that Nigeria’s foreign policy has become one of aimless wandering. Where is our national interest in all these trips? What bilateral gains have we negotiated? What trade deals have been signed? What is our Africa policy? Are we leading the continent or being led? A nation of over 200 million people—Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation—should not be a diplomatic drifter without compass or credibility.

The truth is that Nigeria’s leadership under the current APC administration lacks a coherent vision. This is a government that believes in photo-ops more than policy, appearances more than substance. Leadership is not travel. Leadership is staying close to the people, understanding their pain, and crafting bold solutions that inspire hope.

But there is hope. Nigeria has not completely run out of options. One man, who played a significant role in steering Nigeria towards prosperity in the early 2000s, still stands tall with a track record that speaks louder than rhetoric. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri of Adamawa, remains a voice of reason and a repository of experience.

Atiku was instrumental in the economic transformation witnessed during the Obasanjo years—privatizing inefficient public enterprises, attracting foreign investment, and securing international debt forgiveness. He understands governance. He understands economics. And more importantly, he understands the Nigerian people.

While others run from the nation’s problems, Atiku has consistently offered solutions. He has warned against excessive borrowing, called for restructuring, and emphasized the need for economic diversification. He is not a perfect man, but he is a prepared man—prepared to rescue Nigeria from the edge of the abyss.

It is time Nigerians looked beyond propaganda and tribal loyalty. We must rise and demand accountability, dignity, and real leadership. The presidency is not a retirement home or a travel agency. It is the most sacred responsibility in the land. Let us not continue in silence as our nation is governed remotely by absentee leaders more concerned with their comfort than our future.

Let us support leaders who live among us, feel our pain, and are willing to make the hard choices needed to reposition our country. Let us support Atiku Abubakar and others like him in their effort to recover, rebuild, and reimagine Nigeria. Our country deserves more than foreign pity—it deserves true leadership.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

George Omagbemi Sylvester writes from Johannesburg, South Africa.

Power to Poison: How Toxic Politics Is Destroying Nigeria’s Democracy and Future

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Nigeria’s political landscape in 2025 is best described as a battlefield of corruption, impunity, and institutional decay. Toxic politics has infested all arms of government—from the executive to the legislature and the judiciary—crippling national development and eroding public trust. Power is no longer a tool for service; it has become a weapon for suppression, self-enrichment, and systemic injustice. As the nation grapples with economic stagnation and widespread insecurity, the conduct of its political elite continues to alienate the populace and entrench hopelessness.

Executive Overreach: A Democracy Under Siege

In March 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stunned the nation by declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, Nigeria’s oil-producing heartland. The federal government suspended the duly elected governor, deputy governor, and all members of the state assembly, citing uncontained pipeline vandalism and militant activities. In their place, a retired vice admiral was appointed to oversee the state’s affairs for six months.

This executive action, seen by many as a constitutional overreach, drew swift condemnation from legal experts, civil society, and opposition leaders. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) described the act as “a dangerous usurpation of democratic authority and a slide toward authoritarianism.” Legal analysts warned that allowing the president to unilaterally suspend elected officials under vague security pretenses sets a terrifying precedent—one where democracy can be dismantled on a whim.

The international community, including the African Union and ECOWAS, expressed concern over the erosion of Nigeria’s federal structure. While Tinubu’s administration defended its move as necessary to restore order, many see it as a political maneuver to neutralize dissent in a state known for opposition leanings.

The Rot in the Legislature: Corruption, Sexism, and Retribution
Toxicity in the legislative arm was on full display when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment and political intimidation. Rather than addressing the serious allegations, the Senate retaliated by suspending her for six months over unrelated claims of “disruptive behavior.” The timing of the suspension raised widespread suspicion, and critics described it as a blatant abuse of parliamentary power.

The suspension ignited protests across the country under the slogan “We Are All Natasha.” Women’s groups and human rights organizations condemned the Senate’s action as misogynistic and retaliatory, exposing the entrenched patriarchy within Nigeria’s highest lawmaking body. Despite boasting over 100 senators, only about 8% are women, a glaring statistic that reflects the systemic barriers to female political participation.

Meanwhile, numerous legislators continue to face allegations of budget padding, contract inflation, and illegal constituency project allocations—yet few have been held accountable. The legislature has become a sanctuary for corrupt elites, shielded by procedural immunity and partisan loyalty.

Judiciary on Trial: Corruption, Compromise, and Complicity
The judiciary, theoretically the last hope of the common man, has not been spared. In 2024, the National Judicial Council (NJC) sanctioned multiple judges—two were compulsorily retired for falsifying their ages, and two others suspended for bribery-related offenses. But these internal corrective measures have failed to cleanse the judiciary of its deep-seated corruption.

A damning report by the National Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in late 2024 ranked the judiciary as Nigeria’s most corrupt institution. Judges were found to be the highest recipients of bribes, surpassing police officers and tax officials.

This perception is damaging not just for the judiciary but for the rule of law itself. Lengthy trial procedures, endless adjournments, and politically influenced verdicts have become the norm. In several high-profile corruption cases, suspects walked free due to “lack of evidence,” despite overwhelming public documentation and media investigations.

The Patience Jonathan Saga: Power, Privilege, and Injustice
In a disturbing episode that underscores Nigeria’s elite impunity, former First Lady Patience Jonathan reportedly had several of her aides imprisoned for six years over allegations of stealing her jewelry—items that, according to investigative reports, were themselves acquired from looted public funds.

These aides, held without fair trial or substantive evidence, were denied basic legal rights. It was only after a protracted legal battle and pressure from human rights organizations that the truth began to emerge: not only were the allegations fabricated, but the items in question were part of illicitly acquired assets linked to public funds looted during her husband’s administration.

This saga is not just a tale of personal vendetta—it is a chilling reminder of how power in Nigeria is often weaponized against the powerless. The victims were collateral damage in a broader culture of impunity, where the elite operate above the law while ordinary citizens suffer the consequences of their greed and abuse.

Economic Cost of Corruption: A Nation Bleeding
Nigeria’s economic woes are inseparable from its political corruption. The Anti-Corruption Agencies of Nigeria estimate that over $18 billion is lost annually to graft and financial crimes—an amount equivalent to nearly 4% of Nigeria’s GDP in 2022. The impact is felt across every sector: failing hospitals, underfunded schools, collapsed infrastructure, and rising poverty.

Notable scandals like the Malabu Oil deal, the $2.1 billion arms deal under former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki, and Diezani Alison-Madueke’s luxury asset seizures in the UK and US have become symbols of elite plunder. In 2025, the U.S. repatriated $52.88 million in assets linked to Alison-Madueke, including high-end real estate and a luxury yacht. While such recoveries are welcome, they are mere drops in an ocean of stolen wealth.

Anti-Corruption Battles: Justice or Just Optics?
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) boasts over 1,000 convictions, but critics argue that many are token victories. The agency is frequently accused of being a political tool—swift to prosecute opposition figures but slow to act against allies of the ruling party.

Institutional weaknesses plague anti-corruption efforts. The EFCC and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) are underfunded, politically manipulated, and struggle with outdated laws. Most corruption trials stretch for years, with wealthy defendants exploiting legal loopholes and endless adjournments.

The Way Forward: Reforms or Ruin
To break the cycle of toxic politics, Nigeria must pursue deep institutional reforms. These include:

Judicial Independence: Secure tenure and adequate funding for judges, alongside digital case management systems to prevent manipulation and delay.

Legislative Accountability: Open parliament sessions, public access to legislative votes, and stringent asset declarations.

Executive Restraint: Clear constitutional limits on presidential powers, with stronger checks from state governments and civil society.

Civic Engagement: Mass civic education and support for independent media to foster public awareness and accountability.

International Partnerships: Continued collaboration with global agencies for asset tracking, prosecution, and repatriation.

Nigeria can draw lessons from countries like Botswana and Rwanda, which have significantly reduced corruption through technology-driven governance, transparent budgeting, and rigorous law enforcement.

A Nation at the Crossroads
Nigeria’s political class has turned public office into a theatre of toxic ambition and moral bankruptcy. The executive abuses power, the legislature is riddled with corruption, and the judiciary is compromised. This triad of dysfunction not only sabotages national progress but endangers the very fabric of the democratic state.

Only a united citizenry, armed with truth, vigilance, and civic action, can reclaim Nigeria from the grip of political decay. The time to act is now—before the last remnants of justice, equity, and accountability are completely extinguished.

Tinubu Moves to Fill Foreign Missions: Fani-Kayode, Pedro Among Nominees Undergoing DSS Vetting

The Federal Government has commenced a crucial vetting exercise for potential ambassadors to fill Nigeria’s 109 diplomatic missions, comprising 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates across the globe.

Sources close to the presidency confirmed that the process is already underway, with high-profile nominees such as former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode and former Lagos Deputy Governor Femi Pedro among those undergoing security screening.

Rather than a centralized assessment, nominees are reportedly being directed to the nearest offices of the Department of State Services (DSS) for background checks and verification of personal, academic, and work histories.

“They’re already doing security checks with DSS. When they have cleared security checks, we will release the list. Only those who have been cleared are announced,” a senior presidency official disclosed on condition of anonymity.

According to the source, the list of final nominees is expected before the end of April.

Diplomacy on Hold: Missions Still Without Ambassadors Since 2023

Since September 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has operated Nigeria’s foreign policy—framed around the 4Ds: Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora—without ambassadors. This followed a sweeping recall of over 83 envoys during a reassessment of Nigeria’s diplomatic strategy.

Although sources said the President reviewed nominations during the 2023 December holidays, insiders revealed that the release of the final list was stalled in January 2024 due to severe funding constraints.

$1bn Gap: Infrastructure, Overheads Cripple Foreign Service

The absence of a consolidated ambassadorial list has been largely attributed to a staggering $1 billion financial shortfall, needed to settle accumulated foreign service arrears, overheads, dilapidated embassy infrastructure, and obsolete vehicles.

“Most of those embassies, almost 90 per cent, are rundown. Either the residence is uninhabitable or the office has no power or running water. Some ambassadors don’t even have serviceable vehicles,” one top official said.

Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar echoed the same sentiment at a previous briefing, stating,

“There is no point sending out ambassadors if you do not have the funds for them to even travel to their designated countries. One needs funding to run these missions effectively.”

Who’s on the List? Insiders Spill on Big Names and Big Surprises

While the full list remains tightly under wraps, sources confirmed several notable nominees, including:

• Femi Fani-Kayode – Former Minister of Aviation

• Femi Pedro – Ex-Deputy Governor of Lagos State

• Fola Adeola – Founder of Guaranty Trust Bank

There were also unconfirmed reports of former presidential aide Reno Omokri being on the list, but credible presidency sources dismissed this.

“Reno is not on the list. But FFK is there,” a source clarified.

Why the Vetting Matters

Officials stress that the vetting process is essential to prevent future diplomatic embarrassments and ensure Nigeria’s global representation remains credible.

“This is about protecting the image of the country. Every nominee is undergoing background checks to make sure they’re fit to represent Nigeria on the world stage,” a source noted.

Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, also emphasized the need for diligence.

“Ambassadorial appointments involve both career and political nominees. Every name has to be carefully vetted before transmission to the National Assembly.”

With the clock ticking and diplomatic gaps still unfilled, all eyes are on the presidency as the nation awaits the official rollout of ambassadors to reposition Nigeria on the global stage.