By Remi Johnson
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Nyesom Wike, has praised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership style, describing it as the type of strategic leadership Nigeria needs to build a safe, inclusive, and prosperous nation.
Wike Stated this at ile – Ife when he delivered the 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture at Obafemi Awolowo University, titled “The Nigeria of our Dreams.
Wike highlighted President Tinubu’s governance as a clear departure from the nation’s longstanding leadership failures.
According to him, Tinubu has demonstrated the courage, vision, and commitment necessary to reposition Nigeria on the path of growth and development.
He noted that the over-centralisation of power and resources, a major flaw in Nigeria’s federal system, is now being systematically addressed under Tinubu’s administration.
“The overwhelming cry of over-centralisation of power and resources at the national level and the attendant abuse of the doctrine of federalism is being systematically addressed.
“This is being addressed through the creation of zonal/regional commissions empowered to devolve developmental impetus to the respective zones and regions, so that power can truly return to the people,” Wike Said.
Wike, aligning with Chinua Achebe’s critique of Nigerian leadership, emphasized that the country’s greatest setback has always been the failure of leadership.
“Our leaders have emerged through self-serving conspiracies that have little or nothing to do with national interests and development. This has been the case in both military and civilian contexts,” he added.
However, Wike argued that Tinubu stands out as a different kind of leader, one who embodies resilience, vision, and the will to act decisively. “Nigeria needs a leader that is prepared to lead with sound character… someone who believes in the infinite possibilities that the Nigerian nation exemplifies,” he said.
He further described Tinubu as a bold reformer, citing the removal of fuel subsidy on his first day in office as a landmark decision that previous administrations lacked the courage to implement.
According to Wike, this move has started yielding benefits, such as increased revenue for states and a gradual market stabilization in fuel prices.
On national security, Wike acknowledged improvements driven by better funding and capacity-building of security forces by Tinubu.
Wike also lauded Tinubu’s approval for the recruitment of forest guards, which he said would prevent terrorists and bandits from finding safe havens across the country.
“Let me make bold at this juncture to state that today, in our country, we have a leader in the person of Tinubu.
“Put simply, the era of banditry and terrorism would soon come to an end.
He has shown great capacity for engendering development… and has demonstrated a rare courage,” Wike said
In his remarks, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented by Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, described Wike as a straightforward politician with commendable leadership experience, particularly in his transformation of the FCT.
Also, the Royal father of tge day, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, commended Wike’s fearless political stance, describing him as an “upright politician” who speaks truthfully regardless of public opinion. “Hate him; like him – what will be will be,”
On his part, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Adebayo Bamire, lauded the timeliness of the lecture theme. “It calls us to interrogate the structures that uphold democracy… and the strategies that can unlock Nigeria’s development potential,” he said.