Nigeria’s Tragedy of Leadership: Why Bad Governance Refuses to Die. (NIGERIA BLEEDS NOT FROM POVERTY BUT FROM LEADERSHIP FAILURE)

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Sahara Weekly

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and one of its richest in natural resources, stands today as a paradox: WEALTHY in RESOURCES but IMPOVERISHED in GOVERNANCE. Despite having the continent’s largest economy, abundant crude oil reserves and an intelligent youth population, Nigeria remains crippled by bad governance. The reasons are not HIDDEN; they are VISIBLE, REPEATABLE and PREDICTABLE. Yet, like a nation cursed, Nigeria continues to recycle the same patterns of leadership failure.

The question is simple: Why does bad governance persist in Nigeria despite DECADES of INDEPENDENCE, ABUNDANT TALENT and ENORMOUS OPPORTUNITIES? The answer lies in seven critical realities, each a dagger stabbing at the nation’s future.

1. BLIND LOYALTY and FEAR of CORRECTION.

In most functioning democracies, advisers, ministers and cabinet members serve as checks on executive excesses. In Nigeria, SYCOPHANCY has replaced CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM. Ministers and aides often see themselves not as public servants but as errand boys for the president, governor or local chairman.

The fear of losing political appointments silences voices of truth. Instead of correcting a leader’s mistakes, they applaud them, even when such errors drive the nation deeper into crisis. This culture of blind loyalty perpetuates incompetence.

The late Chinua Achebe, Nigeria’s literary giant, captured it aptly: “THE TROUBLE WITH NIGERIA IS SIMPLY AND SQUARELY A FAILURE OF LEADERSHIP.” Leaders are surrounded by praise singers who lack the courage to tell them hard truths. Without correction, misgovernance festers unchecked.

2. CORRUPTION and SELF-INTEREST.

Corruption remains Nigeria’s biggest albatross. From the first republic till today, it has swallowed billions of dollars meant for hospitals, schools, roads and electricity. Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perception Index ranked Nigeria 145th out of 180 countries, a dismal position for Africa’s so-called giant.

Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton once said in Abuja: “The failure of governance in Nigeria is the failure of leadership at every level, and it is fueled by corruption.”

Public office in Nigeria is often treated as a private investment. Politicians view elections as an opportunity to recoup campaign funds and amass wealth. This greed diverts resources from national development into personal pockets. Little wonder why Nigeria, despite earning over $1 trillion from oil exports since the 1970s, still suffers epileptic electricity supply and crumbling infrastructure.

3. WEAK INSTITUTIONS.

Strong institutions (not strong men) sustain democracies. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s judiciary, legislature and anti-corruption agencies are weak, compromised and often controlled by the executive.

The judiciary, meant to be the last hope of the common man, is widely perceived as corrupt. Election tribunals have become markets where judgments are allegedly bought by the highest bidder. Legislators, instead of holding the executive accountable, often bow in submission for political survival or “CONSTITUENCY PROJECTS” padded with corruption.

Political scientist Larry Diamond once warned: “Where institutions are weak, democracy cannot thrive.” Nigeria is living proof of that. Without impartial institutions, leaders operate unchecked, deepening cycles of abuse of power.

4. TRIBALISM, RELIGION and NEPOTISM.

Nigeria’s diversity should be a blessing, but in the hands of selfish leaders, it has become a curse. Appointments are not based on MERIT but on TRIBE, RELIGION and NEPOTISM. This culture sidelines competent technocrats while promoting mediocrity.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration (2015–2023) was widely criticized for EXCESSIVE NEPOTISM, with key security and economic positions allegedly dominated by one section of the country. Such lopsidedness fuels resentment, deepens ethnic mistrust and kills the spirit of nationalism.

As former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan once said: “Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.” Where leaders choose LOYALTY over COMPETENCE, PROGRESS is IMPOSSIBLE.

5. LACK of CITIZEN PARTICIPATION.

A passive citizenry sustains bad governance. In Nigeria, millions of citizens complain in private but fail to challenge corruption in public. Protests are rare and when they occur, they are often hijacked or crushed by state security forces.

During the #EndSARS protests of 2020, Nigerian youths demonstrated the power of collective action against police brutality. The brutal military crackdown at Lekki Toll Gate sent a chilling message: RESISTANCE comes with DEADLY CONSEQUENCES. Since then, citizen participation has weakened and many Nigerians now suffer in silence.

Political theorist Edmund Burke’s timeless warning comes alive: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Silence is Complicity and in Nigeria, it emboldens corrupt leaders.

6. POOR LEADERSHIP VISION.

Great nations are built on visionary leadership. Lee Kuan Yew transformed Singapore from a swamp into a global hub. Rwanda, under Paul Kagame, rose from genocide to become Africa’s model of governance. Nigeria’s leaders lack such foresight.

Nigerian politics is not driven by ideology or policy but by SURVIVAL, PATRONAGE and SHORT-TERM GAINS. Most leaders think only of the next election, not the next generation. Long-term planning is abandoned for QUICK-FIX POPULISM.

The late Nelson Mandela once said: “Visionary leadership means setting out a future that may not be popular but is necessary for progress.” Unfortunately, Nigerian leaders prefer POPULARITY over PROGRESS.

7. POVERTY and IGNORANCE.

Perhaps the most dangerous weapon sustaining bad governance is poverty. With over 133 million Nigerians living in multidimensional poverty (NBS 2022), politicians easily exploit the masses with food, cash or hollow promises during elections.

Hungry citizens rarely vote based on policy; they vote based on survival. A bag of rice, a few thousand naira or a temporary job is enough to buy loyalty. Poverty erodes critical thinking and weakens resistance against corrupt leaders.

Ignorance compounds the problem. Many citizens are unaware of their constitutional rights or the true responsibilities of government. Instead of demanding accountability, they worship politicians as benefactors. This ignorance is what keeps bad governance alive.

The Way Forward: CAN NIGERIA BREAK THE CYCLE?

Nigeria’s story need not remain a tragedy. Change is possible, but it requires COURAGE, VISION and SACRIFICE. First, institutions must be strengthened to checkmate leaders’ excesses. Second, MERIT (not ethnicity or religion) must drive appointments. Third, civic education must awaken citizens to their power. Finally, poverty alleviation must become central to governance, because a hungry population cannot defend democracy.

As former U.S. President Barack Obama once declared during his visit to Ghana: “Africa doesn’t need strong men. It needs strong institutions.” Nigeria must heed this call if it is to escape its endless dance with bad governance.

Final Thoughts.

Bad governance in Nigeria is not accidental; it is SYSTEMIC, DELIBERATE and SUSTAINED by CORRUPTION, WEAK INSTITUTIONS, TRIBALISM, POVERTY and CITIZEN APATHY. Until these cancers are addressed, Nigeria will continue to bleed, despite its enormous potential.

The destiny of over 200 million people cannot be left in the hands of selfish leaders and corrupt institutions. Citizens must rise, demand accountability and reject mediocrity. Otherwise, as Achebe warned decades ago, the trouble with Nigeria will remain SIMPLY and SQUARELY a FAILURE of LEADERSHIP.