The Role of Leadership and Statesmanship in Nigeria’s Development Since Independence
By Henry Adebodun
Nigeria, a country with immense potential and resources, has been plagued by numerous challenges since its independence in 1960. One of the primary reason for these challenges is the lack of effective or better put, proactive leadership and statesmanship in Nigeria’s development, highlighting the impact on the country’s progress and providing recommendations for improvement. The importance of leadership and statesmanship.
Leadership and statesmanship are essential indices for the development and progress of any nation. Proactive leaders provide vision, direction, and guidance, while statesmen and women possess the wisdom, experience, and integrity to make informed decision that benefit the nation. In Nigeria, leadership and statement have been lacking, resulting in a plethora of problems.
Ahlaji Shehu Aliyu Shagari (1979-1983) His administration was marred by corruption, inefficiency, and lack of economic development. Shagari’s government struggled with several debt repayment and failed to implement meaningful reforms that could have propelled the nation forward.
General Sani Abacha (1993-1998) Abacha’s regime was notorious for human rights abuses, suppression of opposition, and massive corruption. His rule saw significant economic decline and international isolation.
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (2010-2015) Jonathan’s administration faced criticism for handling the Boko Haram insurgency, corruption, and economic mismanagement. His government struggled to provide basic services and infrastructure to the general populace.
General Yakubu Gowon (19966-1975) Gowon’s administration oversaw the Nigerian Civil War and subsequent reconstruction efforts. While he played a role in stabilizing the country, his regime was also heavily criticized for authoritarianism and corruption.
General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (1985-1993) Babangida’s rule saw some economic reforms and infrastructure development, but his regime also marked by authoritarianism, corruption, and human rights abuses.
From the foregoing we could see that all the past leaders in Nigeria could not fit in going by the above definition of statemanship.
The impact of leadership and Statemanship on Nigeria’s Developmentally, Economic Stagnation: Nigeria’s economy has been stagnant since independence, with a lack of effective leadership and statemanship contributing to the country’s economic woes.
Secondly, corruption: corruption has been a major problem in Nigeria, with many leaders embezzling public funds and engaging in other forms of corrupt practices, little wonder, the coup d’ tat that led to the incursion of the military into power was as a result of the corrupt practices which the first generation political leaders committed that led the military to take over the power.
Thirdly, Poor Governance: Nigeria’s poor governance has resulted in a lack of basic infrastructure, including durable roads, electricity without interruption, and good healthcare services.
The absent of the later has led to frequent medical leave by the sitting president leaving the country most time without directions. Country of this magnitude has nothing stopping it from solving its own medical issues that could be beneficial to her citizenry.
But, corruption would not allow that to come to limelight. Fourthly, insecurity, Nigeria’s insecurity has been a major problem, with the country facing various security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
Before now movement from any part of the country can be taking without the fear of being kidnapped, but, now even within the same state movement has really been restricted due to the menace of kidnapping.In conclusion, leadership and statesmanship are essential for the development and progress of Nigeria.
Effective leaders provide vision, direction, and guidance, while statemanship and women possess the wisdom, experience, and integrity to make informed decisions that benefits the nation. Nigeria needs to invest in leadership development, institutional reforms, and promoting statesmanship to address its numerous challenges bedeviling them and achieve sustainable development.
