The romanticism around “direct primaries” as a democratic ideal in Nigeria’s political parties has by now faded, if not fully vanished. In the All Progressives Congress, in particular, what was originally promoted as a grassroots revolution in candidate selection has…

In many Nigerian classrooms today, success is still defined by test scores. A “good student” passes examinations, earns distinctions, and progresses without disruption. While academic achievement matters, it raises a more important question: are we preparing young people for life,…

There are moments when development conversations stop sounding like routine government engagements and begin to reflect something more deliberate and structural. The recent rail strategy co-creation sessions organised by the South West Development Commission felt very much like such a…

Recently, the Federal Civil Service Commission began the preparation for the implementation of the FCSC Strategic Plan (2026-2030). When the 10th Commission was inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in December 2023, it was with a marching order that was…

It is strangely amusing how some Nigerians attack themselves on digital platforms and open discussions when fighting for or defending the people they perceive as political messiahs, tribal redeemers and turnaround experts, gloating as new-day nationalists. It is just a…

Most times when people talk about leadership, they focus on skills like vision, charisma, innovation, confidence and strategic thinking. These skills are important. After all, it is almost impossible to find anybody who wants to follow a leader who lacks…

On Sunday 17 May, we flew from Lagos and landed in Lome, the capital of Togo in the West African sub-region for the third edition of Biashara Afrika, the premier continental business forum that brings together African heads of state,…

The GSM story, as cliched as it has become, still merits relevance in exploring an important fact – that the development trajectory of African nations – Nigeria on my mind – does not have to follow that of European or…

The main threat to Nigerian democracy is no longer a lack of understanding of elections but the growing doubt that elections matter. What is often labelled voter apathy is actually a rational response. When citizens believe their votes matter, hope…

In 1993, the country escaped ruination by the skin of its teeth. That would have been a prohibitive price to pay for what the soldiers indelicately called “judicial anarchy”. Whether it will be as lucky in 2027 could be a…

By shifting the focus of governance, resource control, and development from Abuja back to the regional capitals, the desperation to capture the centre diminishes. When regions manage their internal affairs, national politics loses its volatile, do-or-die edge, and the regions…

Though we are in a political season with its characteristic peculiarities, governance in a complex megacity such as Lagos cannot be reduced to rhetorical comparisons or partisan nostalgia. It is an evolving continuum built on the efforts of successive administrations.…

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the economy, Taiwo Oyedele. Is there, thus, a case to argue that as it is presently structured, the Nigerian economy will be better served by reforms that expand its supply-side (including the productivity-enhancing…

“I am calling on the government and people of goodwill to intervene to get me out of my current situation. Kindly help me out of my predicament. I am begging you to treat me with compassion. I am calling on…

When responding to a highly critical issue, one must diligently examine the subject in its entirety, understand the concept, and avoid presenting self-serving interpretations or, at best, a position detached from reality. Therefore, I will not dwell excessively on Mr…