A Wake-Up Call to Public Servants: Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s Bold Stand for Nigeria’s Revival

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

At a time when Nigeria’s public service is plagued by inefficiency, lethargy, and endemic corruption, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has sounded an urgent clarion call to public servants: return to diligence, patriotism, and unwavering commitment to national development. His message, though direct and seemingly simple, strikes at the very heart of Nigeria’s governance crisis and poses a fundamental question to every civil servant: What is your contribution to the rebirth of Nigeria?

Governor Oborevwori’s charge comes at a critical juncture in Nigeria’s history. The nation is on the brink of socio-economic collapse—crippled by mass unemployment, a failing naira, staggering debt levels, and institutional decay. In the face of this reality, Oborevwori’s words serve not just as a political speech, but as a necessary moral awakening. He dares to demand from public servants what Nigeria has lacked for far too long: accountability, productivity, and an ethic of service.

“The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” – Ralph Nader

Public servants, as the machinery of governance, are expected to be the vanguard of national transformation. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, many have become the very clog in the wheel of progress. From the highest federal agencies to the most remote local councils, stories abound of dereliction of duty, inflated contracts, ghost workers, absenteeism, and outright theft of public funds.

Governor Oborevwori rightly emphasized that without a dedicated, ethical, and service-oriented public service, no government policy, no matter how visionary, can yield fruit. Echoing this, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan once noted, “Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.” And good governance cannot exist where public servants are more committed to personal enrichment than public service.

The Nigerian civil service, once regarded as one of the most professional in Africa during the post-independence era, has deteriorated to a bastion of inefficiency. A World Bank report in 2023 estimated that Nigeria loses over $18 billion annually to public sector inefficiencies and corruption. These are not just numbers—they represent schools not built, hospitals without medicine, roads abandoned mid-construction, and millions of dreams deferred.

In light of this, Governor Oborevwori’s statement is not a routine call to duty; it is a rallying cry for national redemption. “We must reawaken the consciousness of public servants to understand that they are not just employees, but stewards of national hope,” he stated.

“Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation.” – Margaret Chase Smith

Nigeria is in dire need of such dedication. For decades, leadership has been reduced to a feeding trough for the political elite and their cronies in the bureaucracy. Meritocracy has been sacrificed on the altar of nepotism. Promotions are often based not on performance, but on connections and bribes. This cancer has metastasized across all levels of government.

The call for diligence must go beyond rhetoric. There must be a deliberate and structured overhaul of the public service system. Recruitment should be based strictly on competence. Training must be prioritized, and performance should be objectively measured. Those who fail to meet standards should be sanctioned without fear or favour.

President John F. Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” In Nigeria today, too many public servants are still asking what they can steal from their country. This mindset must change, and change fast. Governor Oborevwori’s words should be amplified across all states and ministries.

His administration in Delta State has shown promising signs. The state has recorded improvements in internally generated revenue, infrastructural development, and youth empowerment programs. These successes are not accidental—they are the result of focused leadership and a growing insistence on performance-driven governance.

“A nation is not defined by its borders or the boundaries of its land, but by the collective spirit of its people.” – Barack Obama

Nigeria’s greatness will never come from oil reserves or abundant landmass. It will come from Nigerians who are willing to build rather than loot; to serve rather than exploit; to lead with integrity rather than deceive with slogans. The public service is the engine room of this transformation.

Public servants must also embrace innovation and transparency. In an era of digital governance and open data, Nigeria cannot afford to operate a 21st-century economy with a 19th-century bureaucracy. Oborevwori’s call must be followed by practical measures: e-governance platforms, performance-based incentives, public service audits, and whistleblower protections.

Nations like Rwanda and Singapore rose from instability to prosperity not through divine luck, but through visionary leadership and a professional, efficient civil service. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, aptly observed, “Africa’s story has been written by others; we need to own our problems and solutions and write our own story.” Nigeria must do the same—and it starts with the stewards of the state: public servants.

The Nigerian public deserves better. The citizens have endured years of broken promises, collapsing infrastructure, power outages, and unpaid pensions. They deserve a civil service that works for them—not against them. As citizens struggle with inflation and insecurity, it is unconscionable for government employees to remain indifferent or complicit.

Diligence must be revived as a national virtue. Patriotism must no longer be reserved for Independence Day speeches—it must be lived out daily in government offices, in the accuracy of data entry, the timeliness of memos, the fairness of policy implementation, and the integrity of budget execution.

Governor Oborevwori has lit a torch. It is now the duty of every true Nigerian public servant to carry it forward. Let every government worker ask themselves: If Nigeria’s success depended on my daily performance, what kind of nation would we have?

“The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.” – Plato

Let the message ring from Abuja to Asaba, from Kano to Calabar: public service is not a privilege to be abused; it is a sacred trust. Governor Oborevwori has reminded us of that trust. The question now is—will the Nigerian public servant rise to the occasion, or continue to dig the grave of a nation gasping for rebirth?

The world is watching. History is waiting. Nigeria cannot afford another decade of bureaucratic betrayal.

DSO Or Die Trying: Why Nigeria Must Ditch The Past And Embrace A Digital Future By Tajudeen Adepetu

Background

In 2006, Nigeria joined the global mandate led by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to migrate from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting. The goal was clear: improve broadcast quality, free up spectrum, enable more channels, and unlock economic opportunities across the creative and tech industries.

By 2015, the Nigerian government approved a White Paper to guide the Digital Switch Over (DSO), with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) leading implementation. But what was meant to be a bold leap forward has since stalled—crippled by bureaucracy, outdated policy, resistance from entrenched interests, and a lack of political will.

Now, nearly two decades after that global mandate, Nigeria is still stuck in limbo—while other countries have fully embraced the digital broadcasting era. This isn’t just embarrassing. It’s economically dangerous.

It’s time for a hard reset. The DSO must move forward—not on nostalgia, but on today’s realities and tomorrow’s possibilities.

Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over (DSO): Time to Stop the Stalemate and Move Forward

Let’s be honest—Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over (DSO) project was meant to be a game-changer. It had the potential to transform our broadcast sector, boost content distribution, create new jobs, and elevate the viewer experience. But that dream has stalled. Why? We’re trying to build the future using the tools—and thinking—of the past.

It’s 2025. We can’t run a marathon with shackles from 2015.

The Rules Are Outdated. The Game Has Changed.

The DSO was guided by a White Paper written in 2015. That’s almost a lifetime ago in tech years. The world has moved. Back then, DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) was the star. Today, it’s DTH, OTT, streaming, and hybrid systems. We’re now living in an era where your mobile phone is your TV, your radio, and your cinema—rolled into one.

Yet Nigeria’s policy framework is still wired to old specs—forcing us to use outdated Set-Top Boxes, sidelining broadband integration, and ignoring global best practices.

This is more than inefficient—it’s self-sabotage.

The Real Risk? Getting Left Behind

If we don’t update our policies now, we risk building a digital infrastructure that’s obsolete before it’s even live. Millions of dollars will go down the drain. Creators and broadcasters will be stuck in tech that can’t compete. The global content economy will leave us behind.

Why should we be held hostage by outdated decisions when new opportunities are knocking?

Let the NBC Do Its Job

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) is the body legally charged with steering this transition. So let them steer. Give them the power to modernize policy. Let them engage meaningfully with stakeholders. Shield them from bureaucratic drama and political landmines.

The NBC is not the enemy. Obstructing it doesn’t protect progress—it kills it.

Enough with the Infighting

Some are resisting the new DSO path because of old investments. That’s understandable—but it’s not sustainable. Legacy systems should never outweigh national growth. We need fresh strategies, not stale grudges. We need stakeholders who build, not bicker.

Let’s Talk About Set-Top Boxes

Here’s the truth: The DTT-only boxes being pushed are outdated. They’re limiting. They cut users off from richer, smarter content experiences. Today’s consumer wants flexibility—TV, internet, streaming, all in one device. Anything less is a disservice to both audience and industry.

We need hybrid STBs that reflect current tech realities. Anything else is a dead end.

What Needs to Happen—Now

Rip up the 2015 playbook. It’s done. It no longer fits the world we live in. Update the White Paper and align with today’s digital ecosystem.

Back the NBC—fully. Stop the noise. Give them the room and support to lead effectively.

Think forward, not backward. This is about future growth—not preserving outdated systems.

End the sabotage. We can’t keep slowing down the train over old battles. Progress doesn’t wait.

Talk like builders, not gatekeepers. Every stakeholder must commit to solutions, not gridlocks.

Final Word

This is not just a switch from analog to digital—it’s a test of Nigeria’s readiness to embrace the future. And right now, we’re flunking that test.

We don’t need another delay. We need bold leadership, policy courage, and a unified industry mindset. The NBC’s direction is right. They deserve our full support.

Let’s stop dragging our feet. Let’s stop arguing over yesterday’s hardware. Let’s build a digital broadcast system that actually works—for now and for the future.

Nigeria is home to Africa’s most influential creatives—filmmakers, musicians, content producers, and digital storytellers who shape global pop culture and drive billion-dollar industries.

From Nollywood to Afrobeats, Nigerian talent is setting the pace. Yet, the outdated handling of the Digital Switch Over is a disservice to this ecosystem. By clinging to obsolete policies and technologies, we’re choking distribution channels, limiting access to local content, and blocking the full monetization potential of creative work. In a country bursting with world-class talent, failing to provide a modern broadcast infrastructure isn’t just shortsighted—it’s sabotage.

Nigeria deserves better. And the time to act is now.

Opinion by Tajuddeen Adepetu
Broadcaster, Media-Tech Entrepreneur, CEO of Group8, Nigeria’s leading broadcast network: Owners of OnTV, Soundcity, Spice,Televista and a host of others

Trump’s Tariff Trap: Why U.S. Trade Policy Spells Trouble for Nigerian Exports

As President Donald Trump continues to champion protectionist trade policies, global markets are already bracing for impact. While much of the attention has been focused on China, Mexico, and the European Union, one less examined—but profoundly affected—victim of Trump’s aggressive tariff agenda is Nigeria.

Africa’s largest economy, already burdened by inflation, forex volatility, and limited industrial capacity, now faces an additional challenge: declining export access to one of its most important trade partners.

Trump’s Tariff Plan: A Snapshot

Trump has repeatedly promised to impose a 10% universal tariff on all imports if re-elected, and a 60% tariff on Chinese goods, with broader plans to reshape global trade dynamics under an “America First” banner. The move is touted as a way to protect U.S. industries, reduce reliance on foreign goods, and strengthen domestic jobs.

But trade economists warn that such a policy will create ripple effects across emerging economies, especially those like Nigeria that rely on trade openness to boost growth and foreign exchange inflow.

Nigerian Exports at Risk

Although the U.S. is not Nigeria’s largest export destination (India and the EU currently lead), it remains a strategic trade partner, especially for:

• Crude oil and petroleum products

• Agricultural exports (cocoa, sesame seeds, rubber, etc.)

• Solid minerals and metals

In 2023, Nigeria exported goods worth over $3 billion to the United States, much of which was eligible for duty-free access under AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act). But Trump’s tariff model could jeopardize AGOA’s continuity or undermine its benefits, directly impacting Nigeria’s ability to compete in American markets.

“Tariffs will make Nigerian goods more expensive to U.S. buyers, reducing demand and hurting our exporters,” says Dr. Tola Adebayo, a Lagos-based international trade analyst.

The Oil Factor: A Double-Edged Sword

Crude oil forms the bulk of Nigerian exports, including to the U.S. But Trump’s energy policy, which favors U.S. fossil fuel expansion, could lower U.S. oil imports, shrinking Nigeria’s already narrow export window.

Add to that the rising competition from Latin American and Middle Eastern oil producers, and Nigerian crude could lose market share, particularly if tariffs distort existing trade flows.

“Even if oil isn’t directly tariffed, retaliatory policies or shifts in demand can affect us indirectly,” said Ngozi Obi-Ani, a trade and energy policy expert.

Manufacturing and Agro-Processing in Jeopardy

Nigeria’s non-oil exports—especially agricultural products like cocoa, cashew, and sesame—are slowly gaining traction in U.S. markets. But these products are highly price-sensitive. A sudden tariff will make Nigerian commodities less competitive, especially when rivals like Vietnam, Brazil, and Indonesia maintain cheaper access.

Moreover, U.S. tariffs could disrupt supply chains for Nigerian manufacturers dependent on U.S. machinery, parts, or technology, further stalling local industrialization efforts.

Impact on Employment and Forex Earnings

The knock-on effect of reduced exports is lower foreign exchange earnings, which Nigeria sorely needs to stabilize its naira and meet import obligations. It also threatens thousands of jobs in export-linked sectors, from agriculture and logistics to oil and gas.

“With youth unemployment already above 40%, a slump in export-driven sectors could worsen the crisis,” warns Folashade Yusuf, economist at the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

A Call for Strategic Diversification

Analysts argue that Trump’s trade policies underscore the urgent need for Nigeria to diversify its export base, improve intra-African trade through the AfCFTA, and forge stronger ties with Asia and Europe.

“The world is shifting from globalization to regionalization. Nigeria must adapt quickly, build industrial capacity, and reduce dependence on traditional markets like the U.S.,” Adebayo stressed.

Conclusion: Nigeria Must Brace for Impact

Whether or not Trump returns to the White House, his tariff doctrine has already reignited protectionist sentiments in global trade. For Nigeria, the implications are clear: the need to strengthen competitiveness, diversify partners, and rethink trade policy is more urgent than ever.

Failure to act now may not just weaken Nigeria’s export economy—it could cost the nation its place at the global trade table.