The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, has described Nigeria’s post-independence presidents as “accidental leaders” with the exception of the current President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking at the 4th Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture in Abuja, the cleric reflected on the country’s leadership history, lamenting its unprepared leaders and the ongoing challenges facing Nigeria despite Tinubu’s apparent readiness to govern.
The memorial lecture, themed “Leaders of Tomorrow: Creating Lasting Change In A Complex World,” honored the late Amaka Ndoma-Egba, wife of former Senate Leader Senator Ndoma Egba, who tragically passed away in an auto crash in 2020. The event, held at Start-Rite Schools, featured the inauguration of a legacy building by Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu.
A History of “Accidental” Leadership
Bishop Kukah traced Nigeria’s leadership trajectory, noting that most of the country’s presidents ascended to power under unforeseen circumstances:
- Muhammadu Buhari succeeded Tinubu’s predecessor but “had already given up.”
- Goodluck Jonathan assumed office unexpectedly after serving as deputy governor and later vice president.
- Umaru Musa Yar’Adua intended to return to teaching at Ahmadu Bello University before becoming president.
- Olusegun Obasanjo transitioned from prison to power.
- Ernest Shonekan left his corporate role to become head of state.
- Sani Abacha’s rule ended abruptly due to his untimely death.
In contrast, Kukah acknowledged Tinubu’s deliberate preparation for leadership but expressed concern over the nation’s persistent struggles.
The Crisis of Governance
Kukah attributed Nigeria’s leadership failures to a lack of knowledge, capacity, and preparation among its leaders. He criticized the governance culture where personal relationships often determine appointments over merit, perpetuating inefficiency and nepotism.
“The fundamental to governance is knowledge,” Kukah asserted, emphasizing that true leadership requires clear goals, boldness, courage, and patriotism.
Democracy Beyond Infrastructure
The Bishop argued that democracy’s benefits go beyond physical infrastructure, such as roads and railways, citing historical examples like Adolf Hitler’s Germany and apartheid South Africa, which boasted impressive infrastructure despite authoritarian rule. Instead, he stressed that democracy expands the “frontiers of human imagination” and delivers intangible societal benefits.
Kukah acknowledged Nigerians’ dissatisfaction with democracy’s progress but urged patience. “We are insatiable,” he said. “We will never be in a perfect place because perfect places don’t exist.” He encouraged citizens to focus on achieving minimum conditions of effective leadership rather than seeking perfection.
Drug Abuse and the Youth
Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Buba Marwa, who chaired the event, highlighted drug abuse as Nigeria’s most pressing challenge. He shared shocking discoveries of drug cartels exploiting blind individuals as couriers.
Marwa described an incident where a blind man unwittingly transported a large consignment of cannabis from Lagos to Kano. Upon investigation, the NDLEA uncovered a network of blind drug peddlers. “The challenge of drug use is where I have channelled my energy today, especially in the lives of young people,” he said, urging stakeholders to invest in youth development.
Honoring Amaka Ndoma-Egba
The late Amaka Ndoma-Egba was celebrated as a visionary educator who founded Start-Rite Schools to equip students with essential life skills. Her legacy continues to inspire initiatives aimed at empowering future leaders.
In closing, the lecture underscored the urgent need for transformative leadership in Nigeria and the pivotal role of the younger generation in shaping the nation’s future.
