society
From Global Prestige to Local Shame: What Happened to Nigeria’s Dignity on the World Stage?
From Global Prestige to Local Shame: What Happened to Nigeria’s Dignity on the World Stage?
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
In March 1981, President Shehu Shagari of Nigeria arrived at Victoria Train Station in London for a four-day state visit to the United Kingdom. The reception was nothing short of royal splendour; Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Prince Charles, his soon-to-be bride Lady Diana Spencer, Baroness Phillips and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher were all present to welcome him. That singular moment was not just ceremonial pomp; it was a reflection of Nigeria’s prestige, power and promise in the international community.
Fast forward to today and one is forced to ask: What happened to Nigeria? How did we fall from the ranks of globally respected nations to a country whose citizens are routinely profiled, rejected and sometimes outright banned from entering foreign territories? How did we move from RESPECT to RIDICULE, from GRACE to DISGRACE?
A Nation Once Revered. NIGERIA was once the pride of Africa, not just because of our population or natural resources, but because we had LEADERS, SYSTEMS and a GROWING ECONOMY that INSPIRED GLOBAL ADMIRATION. In the 1970s and early 1980s, Nigeria was one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. The NAIRA was STRONGER than the DOLLAR. Our UNIVERSITIES attracted INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS. Our PASSPORTS opened doors. Our LEADERS spoke and the WORLD LISTENED.
President Shehu Shagari’s state visit in 1981 was not an isolated event. It was preceded by international respect for leaders like General Yakubu Gowon, who negotiated Nigeria’s foreign debt with honour; Murtala Mohammed, whose revolutionary speech at the OAU in 1976 shook the Western world and changed Africa’s posture on colonialism; and Olusegun Obasanjo, whose handover to a civilian government in 1979 won international accolades. These were the days when Nigeria led PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS, MEDIATED AFRICAN CONFLICTS and SPOKE BOLDLY on the GLOBAL STAGE.
The Downward Spiral, but all that changed; FIRST SLOWLY, then ALL AT-ONCE. A toxic COCKTAIL of MILITARY COUPS, ENDEMIC CORRUPTION, TRIBALISM, POOR LEADERSHIP and INSTITUTIONAL DECAY dragged Nigeria into the abyss. By the mid-1990s, under the repressive dictatorship of General Sani Abacha, Nigeria had become a PARIAH STATE. Political assassinations, looted billions and human rights violations earned us international sanctions. From being a beacon of African potential, NIGERIA became the very cautionary tale foreign diplomats used in LECTURES on BAD GOVERNANCE.
Today, the average Nigerian passport ranks among the weakest in the world, the naira has lost over 95% of its value since 1981. Unemployment, insecurity, and inflation have skyrocketed. Our universities are underfunded, our hospitals understaffed and our roads resemble scenes from post-apocalyptic films.
What Exactly Changed?
Leadership Quality: The calibre of our leaders has significantly declined. While past leaders were not saints, they were often visionary and patriotic. Today, leadership is often reduced to ethnic calculations, vote-buying, godfatherism and sheer incompetence. As Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba puts it, “Africa is not poor, it is poorly led.” Nigeria is the poster child of that tragic truth.
Corruption as Culture: What used to be isolated cases of greed is now a systemised structure of plunder. From budget padding to contract inflation, stolen funds are hidden in foreign bank accounts while citizens die of preventable diseases. According to Transparency International, Nigeria ranks among the most corrupt countries in the world, hovering around 145 out of 180 countries.
Loss of Institutional Integrity: In the past, the Nigerian Civil Service, judiciary and military were strong institutions. Today, they have been politicised and compromised. Elections are rigged with impunity. Judges are bought. Legislators are puppets of their party leaders. As Chinua Achebe once noted, “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.”
Ethnic and Religious Division: Unlike the unified front we presented in the 70s and 80s, today Nigeria is a fragmented nation. Every issue is filtered through a tribal or religious lens. Meritocracy has been sacrificed on the altar of federal character and political zoning. The result? Mediocrity in governance and national disunity.
Brain Drain: The best Nigerian doctors, engineers, academics and entrepreneurs now live and work abroad. In 2023 alone, over 1,200 Nigerian-trained doctors relocated to the UK. Why? Because Nigeria has become hostile to excellence. A nation that does not reward its brightest minds is digging its own grave.
Echoes from the Past
Consider this: during President Shagari’s 1981 visit, Nigeria had one of the largest foreign reserves in Africa. We were building the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, developing the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja and had the Nigerian Airways as one of Africa’s largest airlines. Today, we can barely generate stable electricity or process a national budget without drama.
What would past leaders like Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, or even Aminu Kano say if they saw the Nigeria of today? A nation rich in oil, but poor in power supply. A country with over 200 million citizens, but led by a recycled elite class, many of whom have never stood in a queue or used a public hospital.
The Way Forward. The good news is this: Nigeria is not a hopeless country. It requires radical reforms, starting with:
RESTORING ELECTORAL INTEGRITY: Until votes truly count, leaders will never be accountable. Electoral reforms, including the full implementation of electronic voting and independent electoral tribunals, are non-negotiable.
MERIT-BASED LEADERSHIP: We must stop voting based on tribe or religion. Nigeria needs competent, visionary and honest leaders regardless of ethnicity.
PATRIOTIC RE ORIENTATION: Citizens must stop glorifying wealth without origin. Corrupt officials should be shamed not celebrated.
INVEST in EDUCATION and INNOVATION: No nation develops by ignoring its brains. We must fund our universities, support local research and stop brain drain.
INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING: From the police to the judiciary, institutions must be empowered and depoliticised. Justice must be blind not biased.
REBUILD NATIONAL IMAGE: Nigeria needs a strategic global rebranding effort. Just like Rwanda rose from genocide to global admiration, Nigeria can reclaim her lost glory with deliberate diplomacy and economic reforms.
Powerful Voices Speak
Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, former World Bank VP, once stated: “The greatest tragedy in Nigeria is that we have normalised failure. We are not angry enough.” That anger, that righteous indignation, must now fuel a national rebirth. Renowned Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka puts it bluntly: “The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.” Nigerians must stop keeping quiet. From the diaspora to the local village council, we must all rise to demand better.
Final Analysis: Can We Rise Again? Yes, we can, but only if we stop romanticising the past and start reinventing the future. Nostalgia alone won’t save us. We need structural change, leadership overhaul and a citizenry that refuses to be docile. The memory of Shehu Shagari’s glorious visit in 1981 should inspire us, not depress us. It is proof that Nigeria once commanded global respect. And that respect can return, but only if we change course today.
Until then, the world will continue to ask, “WHAT HAPPENED to NIGERIA?” And we, the people, must find the courage to answer truthfully and act decisively.
Written by George Omagbemi Sylvester
Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
society
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE EXTENDS WARM BIRTHDAY FELICITATIONS TO PRESIDENT TINUBU ON 74TH BIRTHDAY
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE EXTENDS WARM BIRTHDAY FELICITATIONS TO PRESIDENT TINUBU ON 74TH BIRTHDAY
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative has extended heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 74th birthday.
In a statement released to the press, the Initiative conveyed warm wishes for the President’s personal well-being and for his continued leadership of the nation. The statement, signed by the Convener, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani, Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, expressed hope that the coming year would bring the President “renewed strength and more wisdom in guiding the nation.”
The statement further noted that the Grand Patron of the Initiative, His Excellency Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, joined in celebrating the milestone. It added, “Wishing Your Excellency continued good health, vitality, and determination as you lead the country towards greater unity and progress.”
The message underscores support for President Tinubu’s administration and its national objectives, marking the birthday as an occasion to reaffirm commitment to the nation’s unity and advancement under his stewardship.
society
Dominion City to Host Global Camp Meeting, “2 Nights of Glory” 2026 in Lagos, Enugu …Calls for Moral Renewal
*Dominion City to Host Global Camp Meeting, “2 Nights of Glory” 2026 in Lagos, Enugu
…Calls for Moral Renewal
Lagos – Dominion City has announced plans to host its annual Global Camp Meeting alongside a special “2 Nights of Glory” gathering in April 2026, with events scheduled to be held simultaneously in Lagos and Enugu.
The week-long programme is expected to draw tens of thousands of participants onsite and millions of virtual attendees from across the globe.
The Global Camp Meeting will run from Wednesday, April 1 to Monday, April 6, featuring daily sessions at 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The “2 Nights of Glory” is slated for Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4 at the Golden Heart Place, Km 22 Lekki-Epe Expressway, beside Lagos Business School, Ajah, Lagos.
Organised by Dominion City, a global church focused on raising transformational leaders, the conference will centre on revival, spiritual renewal, and practical teachings. This year’s theme, “Redigging the Wells of Our Fathers,” underscores a call to return to foundational values and principles.
Speaking ahead of the event, Nobbert Onaga, President, Golden Heart Foundation and Senior Pastor, DC Lagos & Europe, emphasised the need for moral reawakening as a pathway to national transformation. He described the Church as “the pillar and foundation of truth,” noting that the conference aims to confront moral decline and restore core values within society.
“We are going back to foundational truths that established the Church. These truths will help repair societal damage and reposition the Church as a source of hope and light,” Onaga said.
Also speaking, Shola Olapade, Senior Pastor of Dominion City Headquarters, highlighted the Church’s role in addressing ethical and cultural challenges, particularly among young people. He added that the programme would go beyond spiritual teachings to include sessions on artificial intelligence, innovation, business, media, arts, and career development.
“We are equipping people not just spiritually, but with relevant 21st-century skills to thrive in today’s world,” Olapade noted.
The conference will feature teachings and ministrations from a lineup of international ministers, including Dr. David Ogbueli, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Andres Bisonni, Pastor Randy Mitchell, Apostle Ikechukwu Peter Nnajiofor, Dr. Ferdinand Nweke, Apostle Ben Hanyani Ndobe, Evangelist Dan Scott, and Dr. Chiefo Ejiofobiri.
Music ministrations will also be led by notable gospel artists such as Grace Idowu, Rhema Onuoha, Once More Six, David Nkennor, Anthony Kani, and GUC.
Organisers disclosed that over 30,000 participants are expected to attend in person, with free transportation provided from designated locations across Lagos to ease access. In addition, free medical services will be offered daily, building on previous outreaches that benefited over 1,700 people.
To ensure safety and order, more than 200 traffic marshals will be deployed in collaboration with relevant authorities.
Beyond its spiritual impact, organisers project that the event will stimulate local economic activity across hospitality, transportation, and retail sectors.
The Global Camp Meeting remains a key platform for spiritual impartation, leadership development, and societal transformation, aligning with Dominion City’s mission to equip believers to influence their communities positively.
Participation is open to the public, with registration available online for both physical and virtual attendance. //END.//
*PHOTO CAPTIONS:*
L-R: Dr. Godwin Efobi, Head, Medical Team, Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ); Pastor Shola Olapade, Senior Pastor, DCHQ; Pastor Nobbert Onaga, President, Golden Heart Foundation and Senior Pastor, DC Lagos & Europe; Pastor Chuks Anochie, Head of Security and Traffic Control, Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Camp Meeting 2026; Pastor Josh Tim Vaduchi, Head of Event & Programmes, DCHQ, during the press briefing of the forthcoming Global Camp Meeting, held the weekend of 2026 at the Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Lagos.
L-R: Pastor Chuks Anochie, Head of Security and Traffic Control, Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Camp Meeting 2026; Pastor Shola Olapade, Senior Pastor, DCHQ; Pastor Nobbert Onaga, President, Golden Heart Foundation and Senior Pastor, DC Lagos & Europe; Dr. Godwin Efobi, Head, Medical Team, DCHQ; and Pastor Josh Tim Vaduchi, Head of Event & Programmes, during the press briefing of the forthcoming Global Camp Meeting, held over the weekend in 2026 at the Dominion City Headquarters (DCHQ), Lagos.
society
Oloworo of Oworosoki Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Saliu, Felicitates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 74
Oloworo of Oworosoki Kingdom, Oba Babatunde Saliu, Felicitates President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 74
By Adeyemi Obadimu
The Oloworo of Oworosoki Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Saliu, Elebo II, has extended warm felicitations to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the occasion of his 74th birthday.
In a goodwill message issued from his palace, the revered monarch described President Tinubu as a visionary statesman, a courageous reformer, and an indefatigable democrat whose lifelong commitment to nation-building continues to shape Nigeria’s progress.
Oba Babatunde Saliu praised the President’s unwavering dedication to public service, noting that his leadership has ushered in a new phase of economic reform, infrastructural renewal, and institutional strengthening across the country.
According to the monarch, the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda has begun yielding tangible relief and renewed confidence among citizens, reflecting his determination to reposition Nigeria for sustainable growth and prosperity.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated exceptional resilience, strategic foresight, and a deep love for Nigeria. His administration’s bold initiatives are laying the foundation for long-term national transformation. At 74, he remains steadfast in his resolve to build a stronger, more united, and economically vibrant nation,” the monarch stated.
Oba Babatunde further commended the President’s legacy of leadership, describing him as a bridge-builder, a mentor to many leaders, and a symbol of democratic stability. He acknowledged the President’s decades of sacrifice and contribution to the advancement of democracy in Nigeria.
On behalf of the Oworosoki Kingdom, the royal father prayed for divine wisdom, sound health, and renewed strength for the President to successfully complete the noble reforms and developmental strides he has embarked upon for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“As Your Excellency marks 74 remarkable years, we pray that Almighty God grants you long life, continued wisdom, and the fortitude to steer our great nation toward greater heights. May your days be filled with strength and grace as you continue to serve Nigeria with distinction,” Oba Babatunde Saliu added.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu clocks 74 as a leader whose enduring influence, bold reforms, and steadfast patriotism remain central to Nigeria’s ongoing journey of national renewal.
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