By Bola Babarinde, South Africa
Across the globe, Nigerians in the Diaspora have consistently demonstrated remarkable resilience, excellence, and an unwavering commitment to the progress of Nigeria. Yet, when it comes to transforming this potential into a unified political and economic force, we repeatedly fall short not due to a lack of ability, but due to a persistent inability to see beyond personal achievements and narrow interests.
The recent coronation of His Royal Highness, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, as the Olubadan of Ibadan, and the remarkable presence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the event, offers an instructive and timely reflection. Their friendship, rooted in mutual respect, shared history, and unwavering loyalty, exemplifies the kind of political foresight and unity that has brought both men to the pinnacle of leadership in Nigeria. This is precisely the kind of vision sorely lacking among many Diaspora leaders today.
Oba Ladoja and President Tinubu served Nigeria as senators and governors during the same period, building a relationship that transcended party lines. When Ladoja was unlawfully removed as governor during the oppressive years of the then-dominant PDP regime, Tinubu, then Governor of Lagos State, stood firmly in defense of democratic values. Their bond was not transactional; it was ideological and enduring. It spanned industries, political platforms, and turbulent times. Decades later, Ladoja now wears the crown as the Olubadan of the great city of Ibadan, while Tinubu stands as the Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Their relationship has not only endured but flourished and therein lies a lesson.
Unfortunately, this type of long-term vision and alliance is not mirrored within the Diaspora community. Instead, we are riddled with internal divisions, splinter groups, and individualism masked as leadership. Too many Diaspora leaders are content with small victories such as access to party secretariats, a mention in a press release, or a handshake at a reception. These moments are celebrated like major milestones while the broader, more impactful mission of collective influence and strategic engagement is abandoned. Access is not influence, and tokenism is not respect.
We consistently complain of marginalization and lack of recognition from home. We lament the failure to include Diaspora voices in national decision-making. While President Tinubu has shown signs of engaging Nigerians abroad more deliberately, many are still unsatisfied and rightly so. But before we continue to point fingers, we must first examine ourselves. How can a fragmented Diaspora community, lacking cohesion and operating in silos, expect to be taken seriously on the national stage?
As we move toward 2027, many of us are preparing to campaign vigorously for President Tinubu’s re-election. Indeed, at the moment, there appears to be no credible alternative who matches his political sagacity and national reach. However, unless we learn from the past and adjust our strategies, we risk repeating the same mistakes by supporting a winning candidate without positioning ourselves as a formidable, unified bloc that deserves recognition and inclusion in governance.
We must remember that influence in politics is not gifted, it is claimed through organization, unity, and strategic positioning. The Diaspora played a role in helping bring about the Buhari administration and supported the movement that helped President Tinubu into office. But it can and should be better. Much better. That improvement begins with unity. Right now, some Diaspora groups align with the party headquarters, others with the Presidency, and many remain disengaged altogether. What could be a force of unity has instead become our greatest weakness, disunity.
What is most unfortunate is that these divisions are often driven not by ideology or regional considerations, but by sheer selfishness, lack of foresight, and the myopic belief that one individual or chapter can go it alone. This mindset is harmful. Politics is a game of numbers and alliances. The more, the merrier. There is absolutely nothing wrong with building relationships with both the party leadership and the Presidency. In fact, we need both. What is wrong is allowing ego and petty rivalries to prevent collaboration and progress. This division is costing us recognition, influence, and respect, not just within the party but in the broader national conversation.
We urgently need to adopt a mindset that embraces unity over isolation. It’s okay to have multiple groups with different areas of focus, but there must be a central, unifying Diaspora body that is credible, inclusive, and structured that ensures collaboration across chapters and regions. Such a platform would help amplify our voice and solidify our influence both at home and abroad.
Today, we are seen as fractured and disorganized. While the rest of the world watches, we risk becoming a caricature of what could have been a brilliant but divided community unable to put its house in order. This should concern every one of us.
The image of President Tinubu and Oba Ladoja, smiling and standing side by side at the coronation, should serve as a powerful reminder. Their story is not about immediate gratification; it is about building trust, maintaining vision, and committing to long-term progress. That is how meaningful leadership is built. That is how influence is sustained.
Sadly, many Diaspora leaders fail to see this. They are fixated on momentary wins, small titles, and fleeting relevance. They cling to local associations as if they are empires, refusing to collaborate or even communicate across boundaries. They fail to carry others along and, in doing so, undermine the very cause they claim to fight for. What works today may not work tomorrow. Positions are temporary. But relationships and strategic alliances, if built well, can endure and bear fruit for generations.
So, as we reflect on the powerful political journey of Tinubu and Ladoja, we must ask ourselves, what legacy are we building in the Diaspora? Are we sowing seeds for future generations, or are we simply clinging to temporary titles and shallow influence? Are we playing the game to win collectively, or are we just content with being noticed individually?
It is time for self-reflection. Time to retrace our steps. Time to pursue a higher calling for the Diaspora and not one based on ego or exclusion, but one grounded in unity, vision, and strategic action.
Let us not allow history to remember us as a divided people who had the chance to reshape Nigeria’s political narrative from abroad but failed due to shortsightedness.
The lesson is clear. It’s time to grow up. Time to unite. Time to lead.
