Nigeria on the Brink: Power-Hungry Leaders Must Wake Up Before the Collapse Is Irreversible

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Today, what matters most is Nigeria the once-great “Giant of Africa” tottering dangerously on the brink of political, economic and social collapse. The warning signs are clear to both citizens and foreign observers: security has imploded, the economy is in free fall and leadership is fixated not on governance, but on power retention and elite capture.

The British-born foreign journalist, David Hundeyin, recently remarked: “What we are witnessing in Nigeria is not misgovernance, it is deliberate state sabotage. You cannot destroy a country this comprehensively by accident.” This chilling diagnosis encapsulates the painful reality of a nation being asphyxiated by its very custodians.

A Nation Under Siege

Nigeria is in a state of war. The Nigerian Security Tracker, a project by the Council on Foreign Relations, reports that over 63,000 people have been killed by Boko Haram, bandits and state security forces since 2011. Under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who took over in 2023 amidst a disputed election and judicial controversy, insecurity has worsened. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, more than 4,000 Nigerians were either killed or abducted across the country, according to SBM Intelligence.

Zamfara, Kaduna, Borno, Plateau and Niger States remain theatres of bloodshed. The armed forces are overstretched, morale is low and intelligence operations are ineffective. The recent attack on a military convoy in Niger State that left 23 soldiers dead underscores the collapse of national defense infrastructure. Worse still, there has been a deafening silence from the presidency, no strategy to reverse the trend; just recycled promises and arrogant posturing.

As Femi Falana (SAN), renowned human rights lawyer, warned in a press briefing:
“We cannot run a country where lives are being lost daily and those in power are more concerned with traveling abroad, awarding themselves privileges and weaponizing poverty against their citizens. This is not governance, it is gangsterism.”

Economic Collapse: From Giant to Beggar
The economic outlook is just as grim. Nigeria’s naira has lost over 70% of its value against the dollar since June 2023, when President Tinubu abruptly removed fuel subsidies and floated the currency without a buffer plan. This triggered hyperinflation, with food prices soaring beyond the reach of the average Nigerian. As of March 2025, inflation stands at 34.1%, while food inflation exceeds 45%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

The World Bank has confirmed that over 133 million Nigerians now live in multidimensional poverty, a devastating indictment of an oil-rich country whose leaders claim to be “reforming” the economy. Meanwhile, over 55% of the federal budget is used to service debt, leaving little room for capital investment or social welfare. Corruption in public finance remains unchecked and no major convictions have been recorded under this administration, despite overwhelming evidence of looting in ministries and parastatals.

Leadership in Disgrace

Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of Nigeria’s decline is the quality of leadership. While the country bleeds, President Tinubu has spent more time outside the country than inside, embarking on over 18 foreign trips in less than a year, according to media tallies. His handlers claim these are for investment drives, yet no tangible result has been seen. Foreign direct investment (FDI) into Nigeria fell to $468 million in 2024, down from over $2.5 billion in 2014, as investors flee a country plagued by policy inconsistency, Insecurity and poor infrastructure.

Instead of leadership, Nigeria is governed by power blocs of ethnic, religious and political cronies. State capture is now institutionalized, with critical institutions like the judiciary and electoral commission operating under executive pressure. The 2023 presidential election was marred by rigging, voter suppression and result tampering confirmed by both local and international observers like the EU Election Mission.

As Professor Chidi Odinkalu, former chairman of Nigeria’s Human Rights Commission, put it:

“Nigeria is not being governed; it is being auctioned. Those in power are only interested in who controls what, who loots what and who silences who. The people are incidental to their power calculus.”

A Time to Choose: Reform or Ruin
It is no longer enough to “pray for Nigeria.” Prayer without purpose is procrastination. Nigeria must undergo an urgent political renaissance driven by citizens, activists, professionals and ethical leaders. There must be a shift from the current political structure based on patronage and tribal loyalty to a meritocratic, transparent and accountable governance model.

First, the president must cut the cost of governance. Over N10 billion was spent on installing solar panels at Aso Rock in 2024 at a time when over 80% of Nigerians lack regular electricity. This kind of reckless spending must end. Secondly, there must be a total overhaul of the security architecture, including better funding, training, and welfare for the armed forces. Third, institutional reforms are needed: the judiciary must be independent, the electoral system digitized and the civil service professionalized.

Most importantly, the leaders must stop the obsession with 2027. Instead of jostling for succession, they should focus on salvaging a country on the edge of civil implosion. Power for power’s sake has become the most destructive disease in Nigeria’s political space.

As Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka once declared:
“Only those who are deaf to the cry of humanity can continue to pretend that all is well in Nigeria. This is a nation crying for revolution, if not by blood, then by conscience.”

Citizens Must Rise
While blame rests squarely on those in power, the citizens cannot afford to remain spectators. Silence is complicity. Nigerians must demand accountability at every level: local, state and federal. Civil society must intensify advocacy, the media must remain bold, and the judiciary must regain its spine.

Young Nigerians in particular, have a role to play. The #EndSARS protest of 2020 was a powerful reminder of people power. That movement was not a failure it was a rehearsal. Another reckoning is coming and this time, it must be total, peaceful and sustained. Civic education, voter registration, peaceful protest and citizen journalism are tools the people must wield.

A Final Warning
Nigeria is tottering. Foreign analysts see it. Local observers live it. The warning lights are flashing red. If urgent, people-focused and ethical leadership is not activated, Nigeria could slip into a failed state status becoming a refugee-producing zone and a threat to regional stability.

The burden is heavy, but the time is now. There is still a narrow window to rescue Nigeria from the abyss. Our leaders must shed their obsession with power and embrace the responsibility of service. Governance is not a coronation; it is a contract. If they cannot fulfill it, they must step aside or be pushed aside by history.

As Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said:
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”

Let us not be neutral.
Let us rise.
Let us speak.
Let us act.
Nigeria is bleeding, but it is not yet dead; there is still time barely.

Hungry Wages, Silenced Voices: Nigerian Workers Mark May Day in Anguish, Not Celebration

As Nigerian workers join millions worldwide to mark International Workers’ Day today, 1 May 2025, the air is heavy with disillusionment rather than celebration.

With the theme “Reclaiming the Civic Space Amid Economic Hardship,” this year’s commemoration starkly captures the desperation of a labour force grappling with historic inflation, mass layoffs, wage stagnation, and government indifference.

Across Nigeria, workers say they are not just fighting for fair pay—they are fighting to survive.

A Minimum Wage That Feels Meaningless

Despite the federal government’s 2024 approval of a N70,000 minimum wage, most workers have yet to benefit. BudgIT data reveals that only 13 states have implemented the policy as of April 2025, while millions of public and private sector workers continue to earn below N40,000 monthly.

“I teach in a government primary school in Oyo State and still earn N33,000,” said Adewale Johnson, a father of three. “Even food prices have doubled. What do they expect us to survive on?”

His concern is echoed nationwide as workers watch their purchasing power disintegrate. In March, the National Bureau of Statistics recorded headline inflation at 33.2%, with food inflation soaring to 40.01%.

A February 2025 survey by SBM Intelligence found that 78% of workers earning N70,000 or less could not meet basic monthly needs such as food and transportation.

“Even where the minimum wage is paid, it is no longer enough,” said Comrade Oyinkansola Olasanoye, former Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC). “This is not just about salaries—it is about dignity, justice, and survival.”

Olasanoye decried the crumbling public services that force workers to spend their meagre earnings on private education, healthcare, and housing.

“A raise means nothing when workers must fend for themselves in every area of life,” she said. “It’s a vicious cycle that deepens poverty.”

She also warned that democratic freedoms were under threat: “Union leaders are blackmailed, voices are silenced, and civic space is shrinking. Reclaiming it is non-negotiable.”

Mass Layoffs and Job Insecurity

In addition to poor wages, mass retrenchments have further destabilized the workforce. A joint report by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and TUC revealed that over 500,000 formal jobs were lost in 2024 due to economic downturns, currency instability, and falling consumer demand.

Sectors worst hit include manufacturing, oil and gas, banking, fintech, and logistics.

“In 2024, we had 120 staff. Today, we are down to 35,” said Chinyere Ofor, an HR manager at a Lagos-based manufacturing firm. “Operating costs have tripled.”

NLC Lagos Chairperson Funmi Sessi painted an even bleaker picture: “Accommodation, transportation, healthcare, feeding—everything is getting worse. And the government is not doing enough to intervene.”

Sessi accused successive governments of failing Nigerian workers and warned the current administration not to repeat the cycle of neglect. “The suffering is too much. Nigerians are groaning. Workers are tired. Leaders must act—now.”

She also called on citizens to play their part: “We need to stop exploiting one another. If you sell something for triple its value, you’re contributing to the hardship.”

Precarious Work and Legal Vacuum

According to the International Labour Organization’s 2024 report, more than 65% of Nigerian workers are in precarious or informal jobs with no legal protection or job security. Experts say Nigeria’s Labour Act of 2004 is outdated and poorly enforced.

Dr. Kehinde Omotosho, a labour rights analyst, noted, “Most companies face no consequences for violating labour laws. Workers can’t afford legal battles, and enforcement is weak.”

Only 28% of Nigerian workers have signed employment contracts, a 2023 report by the Centre for Labour Studies found, exposing millions to abuse and exploitation.

Pension Crisis Adds to Worker Despair

Even for retirees, the future remains uncertain. The National Pension Commission (PenCom) reports over N15 billion in unpaid pensions as of Q4 2024.

“I retired in 2021 and have yet to receive a single naira,” said Bashir Musa, a former local government health officer in Bauchi. “They say my file is still ‘processing’.”

The situation is even more dire in the informal sector, where over 40 million Nigerians remain excluded from formal pension schemes. PenCom’s Micro Pension Plan, launched to cover informal workers, has only enrolled 100,000 individuals by early 2025.

A Call for National Unity

Despite the grim realities, labour leaders are urging workers and citizens alike to resist despair.

“The TUC is not passive. They are strategic,” said Olasanoye. “But they need support. This is not just their fight—it’s all of ours.”

As Nigeria’s working class marks this symbolic day, one thing is clear: the cries from the shop floors, classrooms, clinics, and construction sites are no longer just for fair wages—they are a demand for justice, dignity, and a future worth working for.

MAJOR GENERAL IBRAHIM: A VISIONARY LEADER FOR NIGERIA’S FUTURE MILITARY

… As he take over as 33rd Commandant of the Nigerian Defense Academy

In a pivotal moment for the Nigerian military, Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim has officially taken over as the 33rd Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in Kaduna. His appointment follows nearly two years of leadership by Major General JO Ochai and underscores Major General Ibrahim’s extensive experience and unwavering commitment to military education, training, and operations within the Nigerian Army.

A native of Kaduna and originally from Borno State, Major General Ibrahim’s career has been marked by significant achievements since his commissioning on September 19, 1992, as part of the 39 Regular Combatant Course. Known for his calm demeanor and impressive stature, he has earned the reputation of a “soldier’s soldier” throughout his distinguished military journey.

Major General Ibrahim holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History from the Nigerian Defence Academy, a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from Ahmadu Bello University, and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan. As a fellow of the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, he engages in high-level discussions with military leaders globally and is a respected participant at the US-led Africa Land Forces Summits, further enhancing his credentials as a leader in military education.

His extensive military training includes participation in various operational courses and key leadership roles, including Platoon Commander, Company Commander, and Operations Officer, as well as serving as the Deputy Nigerian Contingent Commander in peacekeeping missions under the United Nations. Major General Ibrahim’s operational experience encompasses critical missions in Liberia, Sudan, and Nigeria, showcasing his capability in both domestic and international military operations.

Notably, he played a crucial role in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan and served as the longest-ever Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force against Boko Haram in Chad. His leadership during operations such as Lake Sanity and Sharan Fagge has been instrumental in restoring peace and security in the Lake Chad Basin region.

As he steps into his new role at the NDA, Major General Ibrahim is expected to leverage his wealth of experience to enhance cadet training and education, preparing them to tackle the challenges of modern asymmetric warfare. Military analysts express confidence in his ability to address current concerns regarding discipline within the institution.

Major General Ibrahim’s accolades include the Grand Service Star (GSS), Distinguished Service Star (DSS), and the prestigious national honor of Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) awarded by the Nigerian government in 2023. His contributions to peace and security have also earned him recognition from the Chadian government.

Married with children, Major General Ibrahim is known for his interests in current affairs, horse riding, reading, and sports, particularly football, badminton, and table tennis. He is also actively involved in charitable work, supporting the less privileged in society.

The Nigerian Defence Academy community and military stakeholders eagerly anticipate Major General Ibrahim’s leadership as he embarks on this critical role in shaping the future of Nigeria’s military leadership. With pressing challenges ahead, there is a collective hope that he will hit the ground running to foster discipline and excellence within the academy.