As Nigeria grapples with persistent challenges in governance and public trust, leading voices converged at the 9th Anniversary Lecture of the South West Guild of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) in Ibadan on Wednesday. The event, held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, served as a critical platform for journalists, academics, and industry leaders to dissect the nation’s political landscape and propose pathways for a more accountable and responsive future, particularly in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.The anniversary lecture, initially slated to feature Professor Adeolu Akande, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), a distinguished Nigerian journalist, editor, scholar, and lecturer, saw his insights delivered by his representative, Dr. Idowu Johnson. Johnson’s address, presented from both academic and general perspectives, laid bare the deep-seated issues hindering good governance in Nigeria.
He emphasized that understanding the “nature and character of the Nigerian state” is paramount, asserting that the state has been “captured by the bourgeoisie,” making genuine governance, legitimacy, and leadership difficult to achieve.Johnson highlighted the pervasive disappointment among Nigerian citizens regarding the state of governance, noting a continuous decline over the past six decades. He pointed to a severe lack of trust in both leaders and the political system, stemming from unfulfilled expectations. Good governance, he stressed, is synonymous with effective governmental performance, characterized by indices such as participation, equality, transparency, accountability, efficiency, and openness.
Crucially, he argued, “no good governance without effective political leaders,” a quality he believes has been sorely lacking, leading to a crisis of leadership.Delving into citizens’ basic expectations, Johnson lamented the inability of the government to provide fundamental necessities like food, clothing, and shelter for the average Nigerian. He drew a stark contrast with the 1960s and 70s, when a modest income could comfortably cover rent and allow for personal development. Today, he noted, service delivery, particularly in social welfare and education, has deteriorated significantly. He cited the drastic increase in PhD school fees at the University of Ibadan from 19,000 Naira in 2003 to 270,000-300,000 Naira currently, while an assistant lecturer’s salary has barely increased, making education inaccessible for many.
Similarly, he reminisced about a robust primary healthcare system in Lagos State during his childhood, where medical attention was readily available and comprehensive, a far cry from the current state of healthcare infrastructure. The nation’s infrastructure, especially roads, is in disrepair, contributing to insecurity as a lack of basic opportunities pushes people towards criminal activities.Johnson identified several key barriers to good governance, with corruption, embezzlement, and maladministration at the forefront. He criticized the lack of accountability for past corrupt leaders, suggesting that the absence of punishment emboldens others. “Nobody has been punished,” he asserted, highlighting how those who “destroy the Nigerian economy” often brainwash the populace.
Election manipulation, rigging, and money politics were also cited as significant impediments. He posed a rhetorical question to the journalists present: “Why can’t you fight for a governorship position? Why can’t you fight for a presidential position?” The answer, he contended, lies in the exorbitant financial requirements, with a governorship race demanding at least 50 billion Naira, effectively ceding control to the wealthy elite.The abuse of law, where the rich and powerful evade justice, and ethno-religious politics, which exploit Nigeria’s deeply religious but often unspiritual populace, further exacerbate the governance crisis.
Johnson lamented the proliferation of churches that fail to provide tangible benefits like job opportunities. Political exclusion and marginalization of youth and women, coupled with unregulated campaign finance, where “moneybags” dictate the political landscape, were also highlighted. He decried the prevalence of “irrelevant projects with huge financial implications” that drain public funds without yielding meaningful development, contrasting them with impactful projects from previous eras, such as the 100 million dollar laboratory equipment donated by Professor Akibola Ogunpola as Commissioner of Education in Lagos State.To break these barriers and pave the way for the 2027 elections, Johnson proposed several crucial lessons. Electoral reform, particularly the electronic transmission of results, is paramount to restore public confidence, which was severely eroded in the 2023 elections due to perceived inconsistencies.
He called for “political will” from leaders to confront corruption and recover stolen funds, drawing a comparison with Asian countries where, despite autocratic tendencies, stolen money was at least reinvested domestically.Citizen participation and transparency in government are vital, requiring extensive public engagement and information dissemination. Institutional reform is also critical, as existing institutions like the EFCC and ICPC, though strong in principle, are “very, very weak” in practice. He challenged these institutions to prosecute corrupt politicians and recover stolen wealth to instill fear and respect for the law.
Furthermore, he advocated for citizens’ orientation towards political participation, issue-based campaigns that focus on tangible solutions rather than empty promises, and the development of clear party ideologies among political parties. Youth mobilization and the inclusion of women in the political process, alongside responsible journalism that holds power accountable, were also emphasized. Finally, he stressed the importance of electing candidates knowledgeable in economic policies and shunning ethnic and religious politics, while strengthening civil society organizations to serve as effective watchdogs.Earlier in his welcome address, Pastor Bisi Oladele, President of the South West Guild of Online Publishers (SWEGOP), outlined the guild’s mission to transform into a powerful professional association that innovates digital journalism in Southwest Nigeria.
He emphasized SWEGOP’s commitment to promoting professionalism, self-regulating online news publishing, defending press freedom, and promoting good governance by holding the government accountable and educating citizens on their rights and obligations. Oladele highlighted the guild’s ethical charter and its dedication to empowering members through training. He explained that the choice of the lecture’s topic and guest lecturer was informed by the need to bridge the “wide gap” of distrust between Nigerian citizens and the government, seeking insights from a speaker with diverse experience in journalism, academia, law, and government.Adding to the discourse, former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, a media icon, underscored the crucial role of online publishers in information dissemination, especially given the limitations of traditional media. He urged online publishers to prioritize timely and accurate news coverage, political education for voters, and amplifying diverse voices, including those of minority groups and opposition parties.
Dr. Farounbi stressed the responsibility of online publishers in combating misinformation through fact-checking and promoting media literacy. He called upon them to serve as watchdogs for accountability, investigating corruption and abuse of office while maintaining objectivity, neutrality, and impartiality. He also emphasized the importance of engaging youth through social media to foster greater participation in the democratic process and break the cycle of recycling the same political figures. Dr. Farounbi concluded by urging online publishers to track campaign promises, counter hate speech, and advocate for issue-based campaigns to promote peace and national unity.Mr. Awowole Brown, representing Alhaji Aliko Dangote, conveyed the Dangote Group’s congratulations to SWEGOP on its 9th anniversary, acknowledging the valuable partnership between the conglomerate and the Guild of Online Publishers. He lauded the media’s resilience despite economic challenges, recognizing the significant contributions of journalists who often receive little in return. Brown affirmed the Dangote Group’s continued support for online media, acknowledging their growing influence despite being sometimes labeled as “internet infestations.”
