A leader's effectiveness is intrinsically linked to the competence of their team. In governance, admirable personal virtues must translate into tangible institutional performance and positive public impact. This is precisely where former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration ultimately fell short.
One of the most perplexing decisions of his administration, beyond overlooking key individuals who helped secure his presidential victory and failing to leverage their wisdom in forming his government, was his choice to retain nearly 90% of his original cabinet members and advisors in his second term. This occurred despite overwhelming evidence of underperformance from many ministers, even as the "Talakawa" (the poor Northerners who formed his strongest support base) grew increasingly disillusioned.
Consider the egregious example of the school feeding program scandal. A minister allegedly spent billions during the COVID-19 lockdown, a period when children were clearly not attending school. The justification for this expenditure defied logic, yet no accountability or indictment followed. This incident was a microcosm of a larger problem: an administration where good intentions were undermined by poor execution and unchecked loyalty.
Many of Buhari’s close associates, both before and during his funeral, still attest to his personal honesty, integrity, and selflessness. I do not dispute this, and I believe most Nigerians share this view. But in the same breath, not one of these loyalists can convincingly explain how those virtues translated into tangible improvements in the lives of the millions of Talakawa who adored him. His administration became a paradox: a "clean" president presiding over a system that increasingly appeared corrupt, incompetent, or indifferent.
The socioeconomic consequences were stark. More Northern youths are now found in the farms and jungles of the South, desperate for daily sustenance, than before the Buhari administration. Indeed, he had a strong affinity for the poor, but he was, first and foremost, quintessentially an aristocrat.
Furthermore, without adequate explanation—whether socioeconomic or religious—he failed to fund and sustain the over 600 educational institutions built by his predecessor for the Almajiri population. This oversight is particularly striking given that all his adult children received their professional degrees from universities in England, indicating his clear understanding of the value of education. I mention his children's educational journey not with malicious intent, but rather to underscore that the former president recognised the importance of education.
The disconnect ran even deeper. During his first term, Buhari made multiple medical trips to Europe. Yet, under his direct purview, the Aso Rock Clinic, allocated billions of naira annually, allegedly lacked basic medications like Panadol. Nigerians would have remained unaware of this glaring deficiency had his wife, Aisha Buhari, not courageously expressed her frustration publicly. Her revelation exposed a significant absence of internal accountability within the presidency. Was anyone indicted or fired? No.
Even in national security, an area where Buhari was expected to lead decisively, questionable contracts were awarded. A young defense contractor from the Niger Republic reportedly received millions of dollars and pounds to supply weapons to the Nigerian Armed Forces, only to flee to Niamey without fulfilling his contract. When he was declared wanted by the EFCC, he publicly challenged them through his lawyer, questioning why he was declared wanted if they knew his location. The case is still being litigated.
Buhari may have meant well, and he may have been sincere. However, sincerity, when coupled with poor judgment in personnel and a weak grip on governance, is insufficient to effectively lead a nation of over 250 million people. Was he even aware of the dire state of our university education and the helplessness of his Ministers of Education and Labour, that Nigerian students were spending an average of seven years for a four-year degree program?
Leadership demands results, and results are delivered by capable, disciplined teams. If his most trusted subordinates and lieutenants failed the people, then ultimately, President Buhari failed those who loved and believed in him the most. After all, the buck stopped with him.
The Path Forward for the Current Administration
This brings us to the present administration. As I stated at the launch of NELFUND, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must learn from these past mistakes of President Buhari. There is an urgent need for a Monitoring Czar—a high-level, empowered official supported by a small team that constantly travels between federal projects, Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and local government councils. This team must inspect project sites, review financial records, assess compliance with regulatory issues, and ensure that campaign promises are translated into tangible deliverables, not waiting for a crime to be committed or embezzlement of public funds to be reported.
Furthermore, members of the National Assembly are not protected by the immunity provisions enumerated under Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Similarly, constituency projects are not immune from public scrutiny or investigation.
The urgency of such oversight becomes even clearer when considering reports that state governors are now earning significantly more from the Federation Account than during Buhari’s administration. Without robust monitoring, funds are wasted, projects stall, and the populace suffers.
A clear example of this persistent dysfunction is the ongoing situation along the Koko–Ologbo axis of the Benin–Sapele Road. Despite the Sapele to Benin City side of the highway being newly tarred, the road remains inexplicably closed to public use. Travellers are forced to endure long hours navigating swampy terrain and passing through the congested Ologbo village, all due to bureaucratic delays or a lack of oversight. This is precisely the kind of problem a well-functioning monitoring structure would swiftly resolve.
To be fair, not every member of Buhari’s administration was a failure. Former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi deserves commendation for his significant achievements in the railway sector. His efforts stood out in an otherwise underwhelming cabinet. Above all, I must not fail to applaud the departing President for the amazing job he did at the Second Niger Bridge—it's a landmark worthy of celebration.
Anyway, the broader lesson remains: a leader's good character is meaningless if it does not lead to improved lives for citizens. Buhari’s failure wasn’t simply that he didn’t steal, but that he failed to build a team capable of delivering on the promises made. The Talakawa who believed in him, prayed for him, and voted for him en masse expected more, and they deserved better.
The price of this disconnect was eight years of missed opportunities. The present administration cannot afford to repeat the same mistake.
Barr Alex Ehi Aidaghese is the Principal Partner at Alex & Partners (Legal Practice and Consultancy),
Lagos, Nigeria.
July 21, 2025
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