Oyewole O. Sarumi Ph.D. Faculty, ICLED Business School, Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria
Nigeria, the “Giant of Africa,” a nation blessed with abundant natural resources and a vibrant people, grapples with a paradox. Despite its vast potential, the country struggles with poverty, corruption, and infrastructural deficiencies.
This piece delves beyond simplistic narratives, acknowledging the shortcomings of both leadership and citizenry.
We will explore the complex interplay between these two forces, arguing that true national progress hinges on a collective awakening – a paradigm shift in both leadership style and citizen responsibility.
Challenges of Leadership: A Vision Eclipsed
Nigeria’s leadership narrative is often painted as one of self-interest and a lack of strategic vision. Leaders, entrusted with the nation’s destiny, can become mired in short-termism, prioritizing personal gain over long-term development. This stifles innovation and discourages investment in critical sectors like education and infrastructure.
The absence of a clear, unifying vision further exacerbates the problem. Without a shared national goal that inspires and motivates the populace, citizens struggle to see a path toward a better future. This breeds apathy, cynicism, and a sense of powerlessness that undermines national development.
For the avoidance of doubt, I belong to the school of thought that holds the view that what we have in Africa and particularly in Nigeria is not Leadership, but Dealership. Why? Leadership thinks about the next generation and creates enabling legacies for the attainment of vision, desires, and aspirations by the citizens.
However, the dealership thinks about the next elections and creates a disenabled environment where people are commoditized for political gains. Also, such ‘dealers’ weaponise ignorance by making education expensive and unaffordable to all. They weaponize poverty so that citizens become timid, subservient, and droopy to fight for their rights. They weaponize religion and ethnicity so that the citizens are fragmented and highly divided to frustrate any ‘gang up’ against the ruling ‘dealers’ ever. Period! Can you see the above picture in the land?
Effective leadership sets the national agenda, fosters a vision for the future, and inspires citizens to contribute.
Examples of leaders in history
History provides numerous examples. Singapore’s transformation under Lee Kuan Yew, and Rwanda’s post-genocide reconstruction under Paul Kagame, demonstrate the power of visionary leadership to steer national development. I am not unaware of the incongruencies that may result in the governance of over 200m people compared to 12m of Rwandans, and the longevity of both leadership in Singapore then, and Rwanda today. There’s a school of thought in leadership that opines that if leadership is stable for a long time, it crystallises into developmental projects that catapult such nations forward to greater heights. (more on this in another article).
In Nigeria’s context, leadership failures have manifested in several ways:
* Lack of Strategic Vision: The absence of a clear, long-term vision for the nation hinders progress. Short-sighted policies and a focus on immediate gains often overshadow long-term development goals.
– Ineffective Policy Implementation: Even with good policies, poor implementation due to corruption, incompetence, or a lack of political will stall progress.
– Erosion of Trust: A perception of widespread corruption and a disconnect between leaders and citizens breeds apathy and undermines trust in governance.
– Policy Formulation and Implementation: Inadequate policies or a disconnect between policy and execution can lead to stagnation. Flawed economic strategies or poorly implemented social programs can exacerbate existing problems.
– Institutional Decay: Weak institutions, and strong personalities plagued by corruption and inefficiency, hinder progress. An erosion of the rule of law discourages investment and innovation.
Failures of Citizenship: Apathy and the Bystander Effect
The narrative cannot solely focus on leadership failings. A segment of the Nigerian citizenry exhibits a worrying lack of engagement in the national project. This manifests in several ways:
Endemic Corruption: A tolerance for petty bribery and a “get rich quick” mentality permeate some segments of society. This undermines trust in institutions and creates a vicious cycle that discourages genuine progress.
Apathy and Voter Lethargy: While frustrations with the status quo exist, they often don’t translate into active citizenship. Low voter turnout and a lack of engagement in holding leaders accountable weaken the democratic process.
Tribalism and Ethnocentrism: National unity is fractured by prioritizing narrow ethnic or religious allegiances over the broader Nigerian identity. This stifles collaborative efforts for national development.
* Passive Citizenship: Apathy and a culture of “waiting for the government” hinder progress. Active citizenship, demanding accountability and participating in democratic processes, is crucial.
– Societal Ills: Corruption is not solely a leadership issue. Bribery, a culture of entitlement, and a lack of adherence to the rule of law are societal problems demanding collective action.
– Mediocrity and Lack of Innovation: A tolerance for mediocrity across various sectors – education, healthcare, infrastructure – stifles progress. Citizens must demand excellence while encouraging a culture of innovation.
A Shared Awakening: Reimagining Leadership and Citizenship
The path forward requires a collective awakening, a paradigm shift in both leadership and citizenship.
Leadership Redefined:
Servant Leadership: Leaders must transition from self-serving power brokers to servant leaders. They must prioritize the collective good, nurturing transparency, accountability, and a commitment to long-term development. Servant leaders don’t leave larger than the people they serve. Rather, they sacrifice for the betterment of the people.
Visionary Direction:** A clear and inspiring national vision is crucial. Leaders must articulate a compelling future that unites Nigerians across ethnic and religious divides, fostering a sense of shared purpose.
Investing in the People: Education, healthcare, and infrastructure development are not luxuries; they are the bedrock of a thriving nation. Leaders must prioritize these investments to empower the citizenry and unlock Nigeria’s true potential.
Active Citizenship
Demanding Accountability: Citizens must become active participants in the democratic process. Holding leaders accountable through voting, public discourse, and peaceful protests is essential.
Promoting National Cohesion: Nigerians must transcend tribal and religious affiliations, embracing a shared national identity. This fosters unity and collective action towards national goals.
Embracing Ethical Values: A culture of integrity and a rejection of corruption is vital. Citizens must hold themselves and each other accountable for ethical behavior.
Conclusion: A Nation Reimaged
Nigeria’s challenges are complex, but not insurmountable. By advancing a new narrative – one of visionary leadership, that punishes corruption, obeys the rule of law, and is complemented by active and engaged citizenry – Nigeria can unlock its true potential. This requires a collective commitment to self-reflection, a willingness to confront shortcomings, (probably consider restructuring of the country), and a shared vision for a brighter future. When both leaders and citizens embrace their respective roles, Nigeria can truly transform from a paradox of potential to a beacon of progress and prosperity on the African continent.