society
Nigeria Held Hostage: Wrestling a Nation Back from the Grip of Greedy Elites
Nigeria Held Hostage: Wrestling a Nation Back from the Grip of Greedy Elites.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
Nigeria is a nation of contradictions though blessed with abundant human and natural resources, yet shackled by POVERTY, CORRUPTION and UNDERDEVELOPMENT. The tragedy of our country is not that we cannot work, but that there are powerful individuals and institutions who do not want Nigeria to work. Their power, wealth and influence are built on the back of our suffering. They thrive in chaos and instability. They profit from inefficiency. They grow fat when the common man starves. They will fight, tooth and nail against any reformer or institution that dares to fix this nation.
The question before us is simple but urgent: HOW LONG SHALL WE, THE CITIZENS, ALLOW A CABAL OF SELFISH ELITES TO HOLD OUR COLLECTIVE DESTINY HOSTAGE?
The Economics of Suffering; Real Numbers Tell the Truth.
As of September 1, 2025, obtaining a standard Nigerian passport (a 32-page booklet with 5-year validity; now costs ₦100,000, while the 64-page version is priced at ₦200,000).
This represents a staggering 100 % increase from August 2024’s prices (previously ₦50,000 and ₦100,000), and what’s more, the minimum wage in Nigeria remains around ₦70,000 per month.
Adding insult to injury, NIN verification now costs ₦5,000 per passport applicant, a fee introduced in April 2023 under the guise of “STREAMLINING” the process; yet in effect, placing another levy on already squeezed citizens.
These realities crystallize the argument: the system is configured to extract maximum value from ordinary Nigerians; while offering insufficient service improvement or international mobility in return. It’s PURE PROFIT for those in power; PURE PAIN for the masses.
Compare this with Ghana, where a standard passport costs about ₦21,000 equivalent or Kenya, where it is less than ₦17,000. Even worse, the Nigerian passport ranks embarrassingly low in global mobility. The 2024 Henley Passport Index ranks it 95th out of 199, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just 45 destinations, mostly small or developing countries. Our passport cannot take us freely to the U.S., the U.K., the E.U. or major Asian economies. WHAT THEN ARE WE PAYING SO MUCH FOR?
This is not just about passports. It is about a system where the government piles burdens on citizens while offering little in return. The elites and political class are insulated; they travel with diplomatic passports, fly private jets and educate their children abroad. Meanwhile, the ordinary Nigerian struggles under a system designed to exploit rather than serve.
The Architecture of Oppression.
We must understand that instability is not an accident in Nigeria; it is engineered. Those who loot the treasury, divert public funds and manipulate the system know that a stable, well-governed Nigeria would strip them of their illicit power.
The late Chinua Achebe, in his timeless book The Trouble with Nigeria, said: “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” Today, that failure has metastasized into a deliberate strategy of the ruling class. They deploy ethnicity, religion and regional divides as tools of distraction. While the masses argue over TRIBE and FAITH, the elites laugh their way to Swiss banks.
It is no wonder the Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka once lamented: “The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.” Nigerians cannot afford silence anymore.
Voices of Reason and Voices of Humor.
Even our comedians (those who make us laugh in the midst of pain) have captured the absurdity of Nigeria’s situation. The popular comedian I Go Die once quipped: “The problem of Nigeria is not witches and wizards from the village, but leaders who do not know their left from their right.”
His colleague Gordons, with his biting satire, declared: “In Nigeria, we do not need prophets to see the future; just watch our leaders and you already know tomorrow will be worse if nothing changes.”
These jokes may sound funny, but they carry the weight of truth. In a society where humor exposes the rot more sharply than government reports, laughter itself becomes a weapon of resistance.
Global Comparisons: Why We Lag Behind?
Let us compare Nigeria with countries that were once at par with us. In the 1960s, Nigeria and Malaysia had similar GDP levels. Today, Malaysia boasts a GDP per capita of over $12,000 (World Bank, 2024), while Nigeria languishes at about $2,200. Why? Because Malaysia built institutions that worked, while Nigeria allowed corruption to hollow out its systems.
South Korea, in the 1950s, was poorer than Nigeria. Today, it is a global economic powerhouse, home to giants like Samsung, Hyundai and LG. Meanwhile, Nigeria cannot boast a single globally competitive indigenous brand in technology or manufacturing.
The difference is not fate. It is leadership. It is policy. It is the deliberate choice of leaders who decided to build rather than plunder.
The Way Forward: Wresting Back Nigeria.
If we are serious about change, Nigerians must rise above TRIBALISM, RELIGIOUS SENTIMENT and POLITICAL MANIPULATION. The struggle is not North versus South, Christian versus Muslim or Yoruba versus Igbo or Hausa. The struggle is the PEOPLE versus the PREDATORS.
To wrest Nigeria back from their grip, we must demand accountability at all levels. Citizens must insist on transparency in public spending. Civil society must grow teeth, not just bark. The media must return to FEARLESS JOURNALISM, not BROWN-ENVELOPE COMPROMISE.
Above all, the Nigerian youth (the largest demographic force in the country) must reject apathy. As Martin Luther King Jr. said: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” Silence is no longer an option.
A Call to Courage.
We must recognize that the enemies of progress will not surrender willingly. They will not hand over Nigeria’s destiny with a smile. We must be ready to wrest it back. This does not mean violence, but it does mean courage, persistence and collective action.
The passport issue is symbolic of a larger rot. If we cannot get something as basic as affordable, functional identification right, how can we hope to fix power supply, healthcare, education or security? Fixing Nigeria is possible; if we are willing to confront those who benefit from keeping her broken.
The great Nelson Mandela once reminded us: “Courage is not the absence of fear, it’s inspiring others to move beyond it.” Nigerians must summon that courage now.
Final Word: The Battle for Nigeria’s Soul.
This battle is not just about POLICIES or POLITICS. It is about the soul of our nation. Shall Nigeria remain a playground for greedy elites or shall it rise as a beacon of African pride and prosperity?
The answer lies in our hands. We must refuse to be divided. We must refuse to be silenced. And we must refuse to pay endlessly for passports that cannot even open the doors of opportunity.
To borrow the words of Gordons, “If Nigeria were a person, she would need urgent intensive care.” The time for jokes is over; the time for action is now.
Nigeria can work. Nigeria must work. Firstly, Nigerians must rise together to wrest her back from the grip of those who never wanted her to.
STILL ON DELE MOMODU by Chief Femi Fani-Kayode
I saw Dele Momodu’s response to my article on him & was amused.
I tried to be polite & restrained in that write up & I didn’t realise that it would hurt him so deeply. Yet for that I offer no apology.
I said he sounded tired & worne in his interview with Seun Okinbaloye but from his response today it is clear that he is now completely unhinged.
He has blown his gasket & his reaction is rooted more in emotion than it is in logic.
Frankly I feel sorry for him because it is clear that he is fighting a lost cause, he is badly diminished & he is now a shadow of his former self.
For Bobby Dee the glory days are certainly over & I suspect that by 2027 when Tinubu emerges victorious he will crawl back into the hole that he originally came from.
Perhaps at that time he will go back to taking pictures of former Governor Nyesom Wike, the Adeleke’s & other prominent figures for a living & shining their shoes.
Playing clips of things that I said about President Tinubu 11 years ago when I was in the then opposition & when I led the media section of President Jonathan’s presidential campaign organisation will not help him to get rid of the stench of faeces that he has immersed himself in today & neither does it derogate from the fact that he was speaking rubbish when he said Tinubu is a dictator.
Unlike others I will never deny what I have said in the past about Tinubu or anyone else but at least I had the decency & courage to admit that I was wrong & ever since I left the then opposition and joined the APC in 2021 I have not looked back.
Not only did I fight for Tinubu in 2023 during the presidential campaign but I have remained loyal & committed to him & his cause since then and I have no apology for that either.
Unlike Dele I did not benefit from him for close to 40 years, eat from his plate, collect handouts from him, stay in his house, claim to be his brother and yet refuse to support him in achieving his dream of becoming President.
Bobby Dee’s nose is so far up the posterior of those he is now slaving for that he forgot to mention the fact that every single one of them, at some point or the other in their sorry lives & career, have not only changed political parties several times over but have also opposed Tinubu bitterly & even more vehemently than I ever did only to go back & later re-align with him.
I do not begrudge them or blame them for that because that is the nature of politics all over the world.
There are no permanent friends or enemies but only permanent interests and in my view it is in the interest of Nigeria that Tinubu continues the reforms that he started in 2023 after he was elected President.
It is also my view that Nigeria must never fall into the hands of the conglomeration of court jesters, sorry clowns & motely crew of insufferable jokers that Dele is now speaking, slaving & fronting for.
I will still be gentle with my old friend because I have a soft spot for him but if he ever crosses the line with me again I will stop being so restrained.
He does not have the stomach for a real fight because he is vain and thin-skinned. He also has an over- inflated opinion of himself and a huge ego.
These are weaknesses in this game and not strengths and as we get closer to the presidential campaign he will learn this the hard way.
Meanwhile he should stay in his lane otherwise I will give him plenty to write about.
For him to compare Tinubu to Abacha was wrong and if he was anything like the dictator that Dele claims he is both Dele and those he speaks for today would either be dead or in jail.
He should count himself lucky that our President is a democrat and not a monster.
Dele’s lies, duplicity & shameless perfidy have finally been exposed & are as obvious & glaring as his very large stomach.
I advise him to do some press ups & go jogging because unlike before I will no longer remain silent as he & his friends throw mud at our President.
Game on!
(FFK)
society
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship
OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture: Sheikh Jamiu Asanbe Urges Muslims to Avoid Showboating in Worship.
The Chief Imam of Agelete Central Mosque, Ikoyi Lagos, Alhaji Jamiu Asanbe, has urged Muslims to remain sincere in their acts of worship and avoid the temptation of seeking public praise for good deeds.
The respected Islamic scholar gave this admonition while delivering a lecture at the OWUTU FM 2026 Ramadan Lecture, held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, in Lagos.
Speaking on the importance of sincerity in Islam, Sheikh Asanbe cautioned Muslim faithful against what he described as “showboating” — the practice of performing charitable acts or religious duties merely to gain recognition or admiration from others.
According to him, every act of worship in Islam must be done purely for the sake of Almighty Allah.
He explained that while acts such as prayer, fasting, and charity are fundamental pillars of faith, their true value lies in the intention behind them.
The cleric therefore encouraged Muslims to remain genuine in their devotion and avoid mixing their faith with the desire for worldly praise or attention.
Sheikh Asanbe also reminded the faithful that the holy month of Ramadan presents a unique opportunity for spiritual renewal. He urged believers to increase acts of generosity, particularly by supporting the needy, vulnerable members of society, and orphans.
Earlier in her remarks, the Convener of the Ramadan Lecture and CEO of OWUTU FM, Hajia Adejoke Muyibat Balogun, encouraged attendees to use the sacred month as a time for reflection, self-improvement, and community development.
She described the lecture theme as carefully selected to promote spirituality, strengthen faith, and encourage peaceful coexistence within the community.
Balogun expressed appreciation to the numerous guests and supporters who attended the event, noting that their presence reflected the strong bond within the community.
She further reaffirmed OWUTU FM’s commitment to sustaining the annual Ramadan Lecture, praying for Allah’s continued guidance and mercy in the years ahead.
The 2026 edition of the Ramadan Lecture attracted dignitaries and representatives from various organisations including Uzamot Communications, Okutex Fabrics, and the Yeye Asiwaju of Ojota Kingdom.
The event also featured engaging activities such as a quiz competition, where winners were presented with gifts. In the spirit of Ramadan, iftar meals were shared with guests, reinforcing the values of unity, generosity, and compassion that define the holy month.
Through initiatives like this, OWUTU FM continues to play a vital role in promoting faith-based dialogue, community engagement, and social harmony.
Tinubu Abroad, Nigeria in Chaos: The Spectacle of Elite Excess
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
“Government officials queue to bid him farewell as he departs, only to rush ahead and line up again to welcome him at his destination; a stark display of misaligned priorities in Nigerian leadership.”
Wednesday, March18, 2026
In a spectacle that has plunged Nigeria’s political class into fresh ignominy, a long line of federal ministers, governors, senators and political hangers‑on queued outside a London hotel this week to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR upon his arrival in the United Kingdom for a two‑day state visit.
Not only did these government officials send off Mr. Tinubu as he departed Nigeria (a ritual in itself excessive given the scale of pressing national crises) they rushed ahead to London to line the halls of his hotel, applauding and greeting him like conquering heroes arriving on foreign shores. This is how Nigeria’s elites now comport themselves while millions of citizens endure ever‑deepening hardship.
A Travesty of Priorities
Tinubu’s visit to the UK, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, is officially billed as an effort to deepen trade relations, attract investment and strengthen bilateral cooperation between Britain and Africa’s most populous nation. While those diplomatic objectives in theory could benefit Nigeria, the optics of an entire political class fawning over a president abroad are unbearably grim against the backdrop of domestic suffering.
According to recent economic analysis, despite macroeconomic adjustments such as ending fuel subsidies and floating the naira, more than 60% of Nigerians still live in poverty and daily hardships are rampant. Security remains a grave concern with violence and banditry destabilising large swathes of the country. Instead of addressing these crises with urgency, Nigeria’s leadership appears fascinated with photo‑ops overseas.
“A System of Self‑Centred Elites”
Critics within Nigeria have not minced words. Political observers describe the spectacle as a display of self‑centred politics divorced from the realities facing ordinary citizens. One observer on social platforms summed up the broader sentiment: “Tinubu represents a system of self‑centred elites (elite consensus over popular will) and this is exactly the performative politics that lines like these embody.”
Dr. Godfrey Mwakikagile, a respected African scholar on post‑colonial governance, has long warned that bad leadership and lack of accountability are Africa’s greatest challenges. “Power in many African states is too centralised and concentrated in the hands of elites who use it to perpetuate themselves at the expense of the public good,” Mwakikagile recently argued; a critique that resonates all the more when ministers fly abroad not to pursue tangible policy but to line up like admirers.
The Cost of Foreign Pageantry
This isn’t the first time Tinubu’s foreign engagements have attracted scrutiny. His administration’s frequent travels (often with large entourages) have drawn criticism for prioritising optics over outcomes, especially when Nigeria’s economy contracts and its people struggle with food inflation and insecurity.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has been among the most vocal domestic critics of these priorities, noting that Tinubu’s extensive foreign travel (including to the UK) distracts from urgent national needs and has become a “matter of grave concern.” Obi insists that such actions reveal a leadership more interested in global visibility than domestic wellbeing.
Nigeria Jagajaga!
The phrase “Nigeria jagajaga” (loosely translated as Nigeria being in disarray) has never felt more apt. A nation where ministers greet presidents in plush foreign suites while citizens queue for food and services is a country deeply out of balance.
Instead of being welcomed like dignitaries abroad, ministers and governors should be at home addressing the root causes of Nigeria’s struggles: insecurity that displaces communities and kills livelihoods, an economy that leaves the majority impoverished despite reforms, and the persistent failings of governance that erode public trust.
What Nigerians Deserve
President Tinubu and his entourage should be judged not by the number of ministers who lined up to greet him in London, but by the lives changed back in Nigeria.
As scholars like Mwakikagile and critics like Obi remind us, political leadership must be accountable and grounded in service, not spectacle. Nigeria’s leaders owe the people more than applause at international hotels; they owe them safety, economic opportunity, and genuine progress.
If this nation is ever to break free from the cycle of “jagajaga,” then those in power must demonstrate sincerity, not pageantry; action, not admiration. The lines outside a London hotel are not a testament to leadership; they are a testament to where Nigeria’s priorities have tragically come to rest.
-
society6 months agoReligion: Africa’s Oldest Weapon of Enslavement and the Forgotten Truth
-
news3 months agoWHO REALLY OWNS MONIEPOINT? The $290 Million Deal That Sold Nigeria’s Top Fintech to Foreign Interests
-
society6 months ago“You Are Never Without Help” – Pastor Gebhardt Berndt Inspires Hope Through Empower Church (Video)
-
society7 months agoWho is Chief Kestin Pondi? Niger Delta’s “People’s Chief” Winning Hearts With Hundreds of Millions in Generosity