In a stirring speech delivered in Lagos on April 24, 2025, during the 60th birthday celebration of Mr. Seye Kehinde, publisher of City People Magazine, former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, made a case for optimism in Nigeria’s future. His address, titled “Why I Remain Optimistic About Nigeria,” was designed to inspire hope, unity, and a belief in the nation’s ability to rise above its current woes.

Fashola praised Nigeria’s cultural heritage, the entrepreneurial drive of its citizens, and the indomitable spirit of resilience as the foundational pillars upon which the nation’s renewal must stand. He called on Nigerians to reject despair and embrace a forward-looking, hopeful mindset.

While such sentiments are valuable, especially in an era where national morale continues to erode, they also risk sounding hollow without a simultaneous confrontation of Nigeria’s harsh realities. Fashola’s speech, though heartfelt, failed to adequately address the root problems that have stifled the country’s progress—chief among them, the leadership deficit and systemic corruption that have crippled governance across all levels.

The Elephant in the Room: A Crisis of Leadership

Fashola’s optimism does not address the most glaring issue affecting Nigeria’s trajectory—a persistent failure in leadership. Despite vast human and natural resources, Nigeria has failed to harness its potential due to decades of governance marred by incompetence, greed, and lack of vision. From local government councils to the national assembly, the political elite have, more often than not, failed to deliver inclusive development or sustainable economic transformation.

The result is a Nigeria that remains one of the most unequal societies globally, where the gulf between a corrupt political class and a suffering populace continues to widen. Public infrastructure is decrepit. The education and healthcare systems remain underfunded and mismanaged. Electricity supply is erratic, insecurity is rife, and the youth are increasingly disillusioned, with many risking their lives through irregular migration in search of hope elsewhere.

If Nigeria has remained stagnant, it is not for lack of resources or resilience, but for the repeated betrayals by those entrusted with governance.

Corruption: The Core Saboteur of National Progress

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of Fashola’s speech was the casual mention of corruption, which he referenced only by quoting a non-binding constitutional clause. In a country where corruption has not only sabotaged development but has also cost countless lives through failing infrastructure, embezzled health budgets, and underfunded security systems, this omission is significant.

Fashola failed to dwell on the chronic lack of accountability among public officeholders. For instance, since 1999, the National Assembly has repeatedly failed to pass critical laws that would enable public scrutiny of asset declarations. This legislative inertia protects the corrupt and signals a lack of seriousness in confronting graft.

According to recent findings, including those from NOI-Polls, over 80% of Nigerians believe corruption has worsened in the last year. A majority—748 respondents, more than 52%—rated Nigeria as “extremely corrupt.” Even more troubling, 88% of respondents believe religious organisations, once seen as the last moral fortresses, are now tainted by corruption. Over 90% expressed disappointment with public service efficiency and transparency.

These statistics tell a different story from Fashola’s hopeful narrative. They reveal a country still reeling from the consequences of institutional rot and systemic theft of public wealth.

Patriotism and the Myth of Blind Optimism

While patriotism is essential in nation-building, equating it with blind loyalty and cheerleading in the face of national decay is deeply problematic. Fashola’s message may have sought to uplift, but true patriotism involves holding the nation accountable, demanding reforms, and refusing to normalize the status quo.

Nigeria does not suffer from a lack of patriotic citizens. Its people have repeatedly shown love for country through resilience, sacrifice, and calls for justice. However, the same cannot be said with confidence about its political leadership. A leadership that fails to build functioning institutions, that protects corrupt officials, and that continues to tolerate massive inequality cannot expect a population to remain hopeful indefinitely.

A Global Comparison: How Other Nations Pulled Ahead

Nigeria’s trajectory becomes even more disappointing when compared with nations like Malaysia, India, Indonesia, and South Korea, who began their post-colonial journeys at similar times. Unlike Nigeria, these nations have made significant progress in human development, infrastructure, and institutional stability.

This divergence stems largely from visionary leadership, investment in education and infrastructure, and low tolerance for corruption. Their leaders implemented reforms that fostered inclusive growth, strengthened public institutions, and attracted both domestic and foreign investments.

In contrast, Nigeria’s mismanagement of its oil wealth, coupled with cyclical leadership failures, has made progress painfully elusive.

Corruption and the Hollowing Out of Institutions

The 2024 corruption perception survey, involving 1,426 respondents across all six geopolitical zones, highlights a grim picture. It shows a nation increasingly skeptical of its institutions. The findings, published in a book titled Nigeria Corruption Perception Data, reveal that:

• Over 80% believe corruption has either worsened or remains unchanged.

• The most implicated sectors include the police, the National Assembly, and various public institutions.

• Encounters with corruption are common across public and private sectors, with even religious institutions not spared.

These figures indicate that corruption has not only become widespread but is also deeply embedded in Nigerian society, cutting across all sectors and significantly undermining national development.

Nigeria’s Skewed Wealth Distribution: The Billionaire-Poverty Paradox

Another damning indicator of Nigeria’s systemic corruption is the paradox of having numerous billionaires—many with undisclosed wealth—while over 130 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty. This wealth disparity has its roots in policies that favor the elite, including the arbitrary allocation of oil blocks, inflation of government contracts, and deliberate weakening of oversight mechanisms.

Nigeria’s public wealth has been repeatedly converted into private gain, undermining the foundations of a functional state. This economic injustice not only breeds resentment but also fuels insecurity, brain drain, and widespread disenchantment.

A Call for Truth, Reforms, and People-Centred Leadership

While speeches like Fashola’s may offer a temporary balm, they do not address the long-term disease. Nigeria does not need more rhetoric—it needs:

• Radical transparency in governance.

• Independent, well-funded anti-corruption agencies with real prosecutorial power.

• Civic education and engagement to empower citizens.

• Legislative reform, especially around asset declaration, whistleblower protections, and electoral financing.

• A redefinition of patriotism that focuses on progress, not propaganda.

Most crucially, Nigeria needs visionary leadership capable of institution-building, responsive to citizens’ needs, and committed to reversing the trend of decay. Without these, hope will continue to feel like a cruel illusion for millions of suffering Nigerians.

Conclusion: Beyond Beautiful Aspirations

Nigeria’s problems are not rooted in a lack of optimism or patriotism among its people. Instead, they lie in a system that rewards mediocrity, protects the corrupt, and sidelines reformers. Fashola’s call for hope, though noble in tone, falls short without a corresponding demand for accountability and truth.

True national rebirth must begin with an honest reckoning. It must prioritize the lived realities of Nigerians, not the comfort of political elites. Only then can the country begin to climb out of the pit of underdevelopment and truly become the “giant of Africa” it has long claimed to be.