Nigeria‘s political culture is facing a profound identity crisis. Once revered as the “Giant of Africa” for its moral leadership, respect for elders, and deep sense of national pride, the country now finds itself grappling with a dangerous shift; one that prioritizes personality worship over true patriotism and competence. The core values that once shaped Nigeria’s political evolution are being eroded by a rising wave of loyalty to charisma, wealth, and fame rather than to vision, merit, and character.
In the days of our founding fathers, political leadership was rooted in service, principle, and integrity. Leaders were measured by their moral compass and their commitment to national development, not by their celebrity or connections. Unfortunately, the present-day political scene tells a different story; one where leadership is too often reduced to a contest of popularity, tribal loyalty, and personal gain.
Gone are the days when ministers were appointed based on expertise. Nigeria once had health ministers who were medical professionals, education ministers who were academic leaders, and finance ministers with globally recognized qualifications. Today, connections frequently outweigh credentials. It’s no longer about what you bring to the table, but who brought you to the table.
This decline in values is not just a failure of leadership; it is a failure of citizenship. True citizen patriotism demands loyalty to national values, prioritization of the public good, and a commitment to building a stronger Nigeria. It rejects ethnicity, tribalism, and selfish interest. However, the rise of personality followership, where politicians are idolized not for their ideas but for their image, threatens to sabotage any hope of long-term development.
This growing trend has already led to damaging outcomes. Consider the appointment of the late Dora Akunyili, a globally celebrated pharmacist who transformed NAFDAC and brought honor to Nigeria. Instead of leveraging her medical background by placing her in the Ministry of Health, political sentiments saw her diverted to the Ministry of Information, an ill-fitting role that wasted her core competencies. Similarly, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, one of the world’s most respected finance experts, was twice dismissed due to political pressure, despite her globally acclaimed achievements. She eventually returned under President Goodluck Jonathan and proved once again that merit must trump mediocrity.
Under the Buhari administration, the problem deepened. Key appointments disproportionately favored the Hausa-Fulani ethnic group, fueling allegations of tribalism and exclusion. Despite eight years in office, development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) stagnated, until Nyesom Wike, controversial but effective, took over and delivered visible infrastructure within two years. It was a telling contrast that further underscored the damage caused by politically motivated appointments over performance-based ones.
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Even more troubling is the increasing rate of political defections, where politicians jump ship from opposition to ruling parties without any ideological clarity. These moves are not driven by principle or national interest, they are fueled by personal ambition, greed, and survival instincts. Party platforms, once built on vision and ideology, are now mere vehicles for power, hollowed out by opportunists.
This is the defining challenge of our time: Nigeria is no longer led by ideas, but by images. We idolize individuals while neglecting institutions. We celebrate access, not action. We cheer for political gladiators without questioning their values or contributions.
For Nigeria to reclaim its lost glory, we must urgently shift the national conversation. The future belongs to a Nigeria where competence overrides connections, where values outweigh volume, and where citizens demand performance, not personality. Patriotism must no longer be an abstract idea; it must become a daily commitment to truth, fairness, and collective progress.
Until then, the dream of a prosperous and equitable Nigeria will remain out of reach, not because we lack resources, but because we have misplaced our values.
