The growing wave of insurgency, terrorism, and political instability in our nation did not begin overnight. These are symptoms of decades of corrupt and selfish leadership, particularly among those who have used religion and ethnicity as tools of manipulation. Over the years, many leaders have twisted sacred beliefs to serve personal ambitions, keeping the poor, uneducated majority in ignorance and subjugation.
No human being is born knowledgeable; we all learn from our parents, communities, and the environment around us. When a society deliberately denies its people access to knowledge, truth, and opportunities for growth, it creates a fertile ground for chaos. In such an environment, the youth become easy targets for indoctrination, banditry, and terrorism. They grow up in confusion, without guidance or hope, and soon turn to crime as both an escape and an expression of anger against the system that failed them.
Across the country, the decay of moral and social values is evident, though it manifests differently. In the South, some young people have turned to cybercrime and ritual practices, while in the North, many are drawn into violent extremism. Both are reflections of the same moral sickness, an absence of genuine values and good leadership. These crises did not arise in isolation; they are the direct result of a broken system and a leadership that has failed to nurture love, empathy, and justice.
The most important thing missing in our national life today is love. True love for one another, genuine empathy for the poor, and honest concern for the progress of all citizens. Every religion, whether Islam or Christianity preaches love, compassion, and humility, yet we have turned religion into a weapon of division and oppression. Consider countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, nations that share the same Islamic faith as the northern part of Nigeria. They have embraced education, science, and modern development to uplift their citizens, while many of our people still wallow in poverty, disease, and misery. The difference lies not in religion but in leadership, love, and vision.
Our leaders must always remember that life is temporary. We bring nothing into this world, and we shall take nothing out of it. All the wealth, power, and luxury end six feet below the ground. What remains is legacy, the memory of how we treated those who trusted us with power. Why can’t our leaders use the nation’s abundant resources to provide good education, quality healthcare, decent housing, and an environment where every citizen can thrive? Why do we depend on foreign nations, our competitors and exploiters for survival and healing? Is it not a form of insanity that our leaders travel for hours abroad to seek medical care while our hospitals at home decay? If only we invested in our own system, our people would have access to healthcare within minutes, not days. The Yoruba say, “Oun ti alaimokan fi se ara lo po ju,” meaning, “What the ignorant use to harm themselves is too much.” Indeed, our ignorance and self-hate have become our greatest undoing.
If the mood of the people were honestly gauged today, many would likely call for a change of leadership not necessarily because they understand the consequences, but because trust between the rulers and the ruled has been broken. Sadly, corruption has become a national disease; many of those who criticize today’s leaders would likely do the same if given the chance. This moral decay is widespread, but the burden of change still rests heavily on those in positions of authority. Leaders must earn respect through service, not demand it through fear. They must replace greed with humility, arrogance with empathy, and selfishness with service.
History shows that no military coup can succeed without some form of public acceptance. Coup plotters always study the mood of the nation before acting. A government that truly serves its people, one that enjoys genuine popularity, cannot easily be overthrown. Therefore, wise leaders must strive to maintain their popularity through good governance, not propaganda or empty promises. Oppression, arrogance, and the open display of wealth in the face of mass poverty are dangerous provocations that weaken national unity and invite instability.
It is time for our leaders to rediscover the virtues of love, compassion, and humility. They must see every citizen as an equal partner in nation-building, not as servants or subjects. When people have access to education, food, healthcare, and justice, there will be less room for crime, agitation, and rebellion. The fertile ground for recruiting bandits, insurgents, and extremists will dry up, replaced by a new generation of hopeful, productive citizens.
We must all understand that there is no safer, richer, or more peaceful place for anyone than the home we build together in love and fairness. Leaders should act now, not because they fear revolt, but because it is right. Love must replace greed, and empathy must take the place of wickedness if our fragile nationhood is to survive and flourish.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Long live our shared humanity.
Bola Babarinde, South Africa.
