In today’s Nigeria, governance has become a circus of self-promotion. From the Presidency to local government councils, our leaders seem more obsessed with applause than actual service delivery. Fix a road? Cue the cameras. Distribute palliatives? Call the media. It’s as though performing basic duties funded by taxpayers is some extraordinary favor.
Take President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent rhetoric on economic reforms. While Nigerians are grappling with soaring food prices, fuel hikes, and job losses, the administration celebrates token initiatives like cash transfers and buses for transport unions as though these band-aid solutions erase the suffering of millions. Where is the actual progress?
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos is another prime example. While road projects like the Lekki-Epe Expressway are essential, the PR overdrive surrounding them turns governance into a reality show. Are we supposed to forget that these projects are funded by taxpayers and not from anyone’s pocket? Meanwhile, Lagosians still endure flooding and housing deficits that rarely make headlines.
In Kano, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s recent palliative distribution showcased him handing out bags of rice as though he had solved hunger. Similarly, in Borno State, Governor Babagana Zulum commissioned boreholes with media fanfare, ignoring the fact that many communities still lack access to basic healthcare. These are routine responsibilities, not groundbreaking accomplishments.
Even the legislative arm isn’t innocent. Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s announcement of “holiday allowance” for senators sparked outrage. While the public is enduring economic hardship, lawmakers are shamelessly awarding themselves perks and spinning it as normal procedure.
The trend extends to local governments, where chairpersons commission painted walls, rickety school benches, and cheap bridges with over-the-top ceremonies. Social media floods with photos, hashtags, and exaggerated claims. Meanwhile, residents are left without quality healthcare, functioning schools, or proper sanitation.
What’s even more galling is the appropriation of tragedies for clout. During recent flood disasters, we saw leaders wading into floodwaters with photographers in tow—dramatic optics without lasting solutions. It’s all smoke and mirrors, a distraction from the systemic failures they refuse to address.
Leadership in Nigeria has been reduced to a PR stunt, where leaders demand praise for simply doing their jobs. But Nigerians are waking up. We see through the theatrics. We know what true leadership looks like—results, not rhetoric; progress, not performance.
Enough of the showboating. Fix the hospitals. Build quality schools. Provide stable electricity. Secure the nation. And do it without expecting standing ovations.
Nigerians, the power is in our hands. Stop celebrating mediocrity. Hold your leaders accountable. Public office is not a stage for self-glorification—it’s a platform for service. Demand better!