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Former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, marked his 60th birthday on Thursday with a candid reflection on Nigeria’s governance, acknowledging leadership failures and calling for greater accountability.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Fayemi admitted that Nigerian leaders have not delivered on their promises.
He stressed that while incompetence may not always be the issue, systemic obstacles have hindered progress.
Fayemi, who officially launched the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement at an event in Abuja to commemorate his 60th birthday, stated that Nigerian leaders owe the people an apology for failing to fulfil their political promises.
He stressed that an apology does not necessarily indicate incompetence but highlights “structural impediments” that have hindered efforts to provide Nigerians with a better quality of life.
“Oh, clearly, we must apologise to the Nigerian people. We have not succeeded in achieving everything we promised, and that is not just because we were incompetent, but because there were structural impediments that made things more difficult for us. However, we haven’t done enough to improve the lives of Nigerians, and for that, I will not hesitate to apologise,” Fayemi admitted.
His remarks, rare among Nigerian politicians, served as a call for introspection and a challenge to current and future leaders to strive for better governance.
While acknowledging the importance of an apology, he stressed that leadership demands more than just words.
“We can do a lot more. An apology may provide a feel-good factor, but that’s not what we need. We need to get our acts together—all of us who consider ourselves leaders—because if we don’t, the risks we face will outweigh any potential gains.”
Reflecting on his own journey, Fayemi paid homage to political mentors who shaped his ideological perspectives.
“I’ve been extraordinarily fortunate. I have stood on the shoulders of giants. I was brought up by the Enahoros, the Ajases, and the Wole Soyinkas of this world. They lifted me up as a young man when I started this journey.
“My wife and I have, therefore, decided to establish the Amandla Institute because we have a duty to Africa’s youth—to help them become better leaders than I have been.”
Fayemi also spoke candidly about the complexities of governance and the importance of intentional leadership.
While commending President Bola Tinubu’s bold decision-making, he acknowledged the challenges that have come with those policies.
“I think it’s a misnomer to always talk about speaking truth to power. Power knows the truth, but sometimes there are many mediating factors.
“President Bola Tinubu has made many courageous decisions that previous leaders avoided. However, the fallout from those policies, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and foreign exchange convergence, has led to a severe cost-of-living crisis.”
He emphasised that good intentions alone are not enough and urged the government to follow through with clear policy frameworks and effective execution.
“Well-meaning leadership is not enough; intentionality is critical to success. Take the student loans initiative, counter-insurgency efforts, security reforms, and tax policies—these are steps in the right direction, but they must be properly executed.”
Fayemi concluded by highlighting the need for synergy between policy direction and leadership competence.
“Clearly, some elements of good governance exist, but they must align effectively. This is where strong policy frameworks and leadership acumen must go hand-in-hand to change the national narrative. That is where we need to do much more,” he stated.
