society
Tinubu’s St. Lucia Scholarship Scandal (Tinubu Irresponsible for Offering St. Lucia Students Scholarships While Abuja Schools Are on Strike): A Case of Misplaced Priorities and National Betrayal
Tinubu’s St. Lucia Scholarship Scandal (Tinubu Irresponsible for Offering St. Lucia Students Scholarships While Abuja Schools Are on Strike): A Case of Misplaced Priorities and National Betrayal.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
In what can only be described as a brazen display of political arrogance and shocking detachment from national realities, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has once again stirred outrage across Nigeria. His recent announcement of scholarships for students in St. Lucia during a diplomatic visit, while public schools in Abuja and other parts of Nigeria remain shut due to non payment of salaries, staff strikes and systemic decay, is nothing short of national betrayal.
This shameful act is a glaring testimony of Tinubu’s misplaced priorities, gross Irresponsibility and total disconnect from the plight of the ordinary Nigerian. At a time when Nigerian students are languishing at home due to non-payment of teachers, decaying infrastructure and chronic underfunding of the education sector, Tinubu finds it politically rewarding to parade philanthropy on a foreign stage with Nigerian taxpayers’ money. This is not leadership, it is intellectual vandalism of the highest order.
A Nation in Academic Distress.
Back home, the situation is dire. The University of Abuja is under lock and key, its lecturers protesting unpaid salaries and unfulfilled agreements. Public secondary and primary schools across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have joined the strike. From leaky classrooms to non-functional laboratories, many schools have become deathtraps rather than centers of learning. Students now wander the streets, hawking sachet water and recharge cards, victims of a failed system they never created.
The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) declared an indefinite strike over unpaid wages and poor working conditions. This is happening in the very capital of Africa’s most populous nation. What does it say about leadership when the seat of power is engulfed in academic darkness while its president offers EDUCATIONAL CHARITY to a FOREIGN LAND?
Scholarships for Saint Lucia: A Tone-Deaf Decision.
According to reports, President Tinubu, during his diplomatic trip to Saint Lucia in July 2025, pledged Nigerian-funded scholarships to selected Saint Lucian students who wish to study overseas. While the gesture may have been designed to promote pan-African solidarity and international goodwill, the timing and context are not only inappropriate, they are shameful.
What logic supports such ACTION? Who APPROVED it? And more importantly, who BENEFITS? Nigeria’s own education system is on life support. University students are learning under debilitating conditions; no electricity, no water, broken furniture, outdated syllabi and unpaid lecturers. Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and WAEC results continue to paint a grim picture of educational decay.
Misplaced Priorities Amid Economic Crisis.
This act becomes even more infuriating when placed against the backdrop of Nigeria’s current economic woes. The naira continues to slide, inflation has eroded the average Nigerian’s purchasing power, electricity tariffs have skyrocketed and fuel prices have become unaffordable. Yet, this same government that claims it cannot afford to pay a ₦70,000 minimum wage or equip schools with basic infrastructure somehow has the funds to sponsor foreign students.
Dr. Obadiah Bala, a respected Nigerian economist, said it best: “When a nation with crumbling schools begins to export scholarships, you must question the sanity of its leadership. This is not foreign aid; it’s fiscal lunacy.”
According to a 2024 British Home Office report, Nigeria is now among the top three countries with the highest number of student visa applications. Our own students are fleeing the country en masse to pursue education abroad. This mass exodus of intellectual capital shows just how much faith young Nigerians have lost in the system. So, how does offering scholarships to foreign nationals help?
Charity Begins at Home.
“Charity begins at home,” the age-old adage reminds us. Tinubu’s administration seems to think otherwise, by offering aid to foreign students while Nigerian institutions collapse, Tinubu is effectively prioritizing political optics over the real needs of his people. This is not statesmanship; it is stagecraft masquerading as diplomacy.
As Dr. Ayo Olatunji of the University of Ibadan aptly put it, “Nigerian leaders have a chronic addiction to international showmanship. They chase applause abroad while their citizens choke at home. What Tinubu did in Saint Lucia is a classic betrayal of the Nigerian student.”
In leadership, optics matter; but substance matters more. This was not just bad optics; it was a total abdication of duty. It sends a clear message: Nigerian students do not matter to the President. Their future is disposable.
Public Outcry and the Call for Accountability.
It comes as no surprise that the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) reacted with righteous fury. In a statement issued by its President, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, NANS described the St. Lucia scholarship pledge as “an insult to every Nigerian student who has ever studied without electricity, running water or qualified teachers.” The union has even threatened a nationwide protest if Tinubu does not prioritize domestic educational issues.
This is not a partisan issue. It is a moral one. Leaders must be held accountable when they make decisions that insult the intelligence and dignity of their citizens. The Nigerian people, especially the youth are not fools. They can see the hypocrisy.
_They know when they are being taken for granted._
Diplomatic Showboating vs. National Crisis.
Tinubu’s frequent foreign travels have already come under scrutiny. Since assuming office in 2023, he has visited over 20 countries, including France, UAE, China, Brazil, now Saint Lucia and Saint Helena. Each trip is accompanied by a bloated entourage, grand promises and vague agreements that bring little to no tangible benefit back home. Meanwhile, at home, hospitals are collapsing, schools are empty and workers are protesting. If this is governance, then Nigeria has been reduced to a traveling theatre.
A government that cannot fund education at home has no business offering education abroad. It’s like a man whose children sleep hungry every night but who throws lavish dinners for his neighbors.
Betrayal in Broad Daylight.
Let us not sugarcoat the truth, this is a BETRAYAL. A BETRAYAL of the Nigerian child who walks miles to a dilapidated school. A BETRAYAL of the teacher who hasn’t been paid in months. A BETRAYAL of the parents who make impossible sacrifices just to keep their children in school. And a BETRAYAL of the entire nation that is being dragged backwards by leadership decisions that make no sense.
Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” What do you call a leader who disarms his own nation and arms others? Tinubu’s gesture in Saint Lucia wasn’t diplomacy. It is a slap in the face to every Nigerian student. It is BETRAYAL dressed in agbada.
The Way FORWARD.
It is not too late for President Tinubu to correct this grave mistake. He must immediately withdraw the scholarship pledge to Saint Lucian students and redirect those funds toward revitalizing Nigeria’s education sector. This includes settling all outstanding wages of university and public-school staff, renovating decayed infrastructure and updating the curriculum to meet 21st-century needs.
Furthermore, Tinubu must publicly apologize to Nigerian students, parents and educators for this insensitive and irresponsible decision. Anything short of that would confirm that this government values photo ops over people and international validation over national progress.
All Things Considered: Nigeria Deserves Better.
Nigeria is not a playground for experimental leadership. We cannot afford the luxury of incompetence when millions of young lives are on the line. If President Tinubu cannot place Nigerian students at the center of his development agenda, then he has no moral justification to lead them.
Nigeria deserves better. Our children deserve better. We must keep demanding better.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
Banwo Questions Bwala’s Credibility After Al Jazeera Interview
Public commentator, Dr. Ope Banwo, has criticised Daniel Bwala, the Presidential Spokesperson on Policy Communication for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following a contentious interview on Al Jazeera, describing the appearance as damaging to the credibility of Nigeria’s public communication.
Bwala had appeared on a programme hosted by journalist Mehdi Hasan, where he faced a series of questions about past statements attributed to him. During the exchange, Hasan presented video clips of previous remarks by the government spokesman and asked him to reconcile them with his responses during the interview.
The exchange, which has since circulated widely online, drew attention after Bwala appeared to dispute statements that were subsequently played back during the programme.
Reacting to the development, Banwo said the episode reflected poorly on Nigeria’s representation on international media platforms.
According to him, the availability of digital records and online archives means public officials must be prepared to defend their past statements whenever they appear on global television.
“In the era of instant fact-checking, any public figure going on international television must assume that every previous statement can be easily retrieved,” Banwo said.
He added that the controversy surrounding the interview was particularly troubling because the contradictions presented during the programme were supported with video evidence.
Banwo noted that while political interviews can be confrontational, government representatives should expect tough questioning when appearing before international audiences.
The founder of Naija Lives Matters also expressed concern over Bwala’s reaction during the interview, especially his claim that he was not informed he would be required to defend his personal record.
“A government spokesman should never be surprised by questions about his own public statements,” Banwo said.
During the programme, Bwala also responded to criticism of Nigeria’s governance challenges by arguing that similar problems exist in other parts of the world.
However, Banwo argued that such comparisons do not address the specific issues raised about Nigeria.
According to him, the episode should serve as a reminder of the importance of preparation and credibility when Nigerian officials appear before international media platforms.
The interview has continued to generate reactions across social media and political commentary circles, with observers debating both the conduct of the interview and the implications for Nigeria’s global image.
society
THE IMPERIAL GOLD COIN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF ATLANTIS UNVEILED AS SYMBOL OF SOVEREIGNTY AND HERITAGE
THE IMPERIAL GOLD COIN OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF ATLANTIS UNVEILED AS SYMBOL OF SOVEREIGNTY AND HERITAGE
_[Atlantis City, United Kingdom of Atlantis – March 2026]_ – The United Kingdom of Atlantis proudly announces the introduction of its *Imperial Gold Coin*, a magnificent emblem of sovereignty, authority, and imperial heritage. The exquisite gold coin has been crafted to represent the nation’s regal tradition, economic strength, and the visionary leadership of its monarch.
The centerpiece of the coin features the dignified portrait of *His Imperial Majesty, Professor Solomon Wining*, depicted in full royal regalia. Crowned with a majestic golden crown and adorned with intricately crafted ornaments, the portrait embodies honor, wisdom, and noble leadership befitting a sovereign ruler. The depiction celebrates the monarch’s reign, which is associated with wisdom, development, and the pursuit of justice.
The golden coin itself signifies *prosperity, stability, and the enduring legacy* of the Atlantis Kingdom. Gold, historically a universal symbol of power, wealth, and permanence, reflects the strength and vision of the kingdom’s leadership and its aspirations for lasting greatness.
Encircling the royal portrait is the carefully engraved inscription *“United Kingdom of Atlantis”*, reinforcing the state’s identity any the authority of its sovereign ruler. The lower rim of the coin prominently displays the name *Solomon Wining*, commemorating the monarch whose leadership is linked to noble governance and national advancement.
The phrase *“Gold Coin”* highlights not only the currency’s intrinsic value but also its symbolic significance as a representation of the kingdom’s economic structure and royal treasury. Beyond its aesthetic elegance, the coin serves as a *mark of sovereignty*, a seal of authority, and a reminder of the royal institution governing the United Kingdom of Atlantis.
The Imperial Gold Coin represents:
– *Unity* among citizens,
– *Loyalty* to the crown,
– A vision of a kingdom built upon *justice, prosperity, and noble leadership*.
Every detail—from the engraved crown to the polished golden surface—makes the coin a timeless emblem of imperial prestige and national pride. It stands as both a symbol of wealth and a monument to the legacy of royal leadership, reminding all who behold it of the enduring power and majesty of the United Kingdom of Atlantis.
The United Kingdom of Atlantis is a sovereign nation dedicated to upholding traditions of regal governance, cultural heritage, and economic prosperity, guided by the wisdom of its imperial leadership.
_Notes to Editors_:
The Imperial Gold Coin is intended for commemorative and symbolic purposes, representing the nation’s imperial heritage and royal authority.
Ajadi Visits Ibadan Chief Imam, Receives Blessings
The leading gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the Grand Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Imam Abdul Ganiy Abubakir Agbotomokekere, at his Oja’ba residence in Ibadan, where discussions centred on leadership, integrity, and the role of prayers in governance.
Ajadi, who described the revered Islamic cleric as a spiritual pillar in Oyo State, said his visit was to seek prayers and wise counsel as he continues consultations ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
While addressing the Chief Imam, Ajadi commended his consistent prayers for Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria, noting that religious leaders remain critical stakeholders in nation building.
“I have come to seek your prayers and spiritual blessings because of your important role in promoting peace, unity and moral guidance in our society,” Ajadi said.
“I also want to appreciate your continuous prayers for the progress of Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole. My prayer is that Almighty Allah will continue to grant you sound health and long life to witness many more Ramadan seasons on earth.”
Speaking further, the PDP gubernatorial aspirant emphasised the need for leadership driven by compassion, fairness and accountability, stressing that his political aspiration is rooted in service to the people.
“My ambition is not just about occupying an office but about serving the people with sincerity and fear of God. We must continue to encourage politics that will bring development and improve the welfare of our people,” he added.
While speaking with journalists after the visit, Ajadi also assured the people of Oyo State and Nigerians at large that the internal crisis and political tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been brought under control by the grace of God. He expressed optimism that the party would emerge victorious in all elective positions in the 2027 general elections.
In his response, Sheikh Agbotomokekere advised the governorship hopeful to remain focused on the principles of good governance, warning against corrupt practices often associated with politics.
The respected Islamic scholar noted that while politics is practised differently by individuals, only leaders with integrity and fear of God can truly deliver the dividends of democracy.
“Politics is practised by different kinds of people. Some play politics in a corrupt way, while others practise it with sincerity. My prayer is that you will be among those who will practise democracy in the right way if you become governor,” the Chief Imam said.
He reminded the aspirant that human ambition can only be fulfilled by divine approval, stressing that ultimate power belongs to God.
“Whoever is seeking a position should know that only Allah can make such an ambition come true. Whether a person becomes famous or remains unknown is also by the will of Allah,” he said.
Offering prayers for the politician, the cleric added: “Many people may be struggling for a position meant for one person, and it is only God who knows the rightful person. I pray that Almighty Allah will make you the chosen one among all the contenders.”
Using a football analogy to further illustrate his point, the cleric advised Ajadi to be wary of political distractions and misleading influences.
“On the football field, sometimes spectators believe they understand the game more than the players themselves. I pray that you will not be misled by so-called political gurus and that God will guide your steps aright,” he said.
Sheikh Agbotomokekere, the 18th Chief Imam of Ibadanland, is widely respected across South-Western Nigeria for his scholarship, spiritual leadership and advocacy for peaceful coexistence among religious and political groups.
Observers say the visit forms part of Ajadi’s ongoing consultations with key stakeholders, traditional rulers and religious leaders as political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the next electoral cycle in Oyo State.
The cleric offered special prayers for peace in Oyo State, successful leadership, and continued unity among the people despite political and religious differences.
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