ABUJA, Nigeria — Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, marked his 60th birthday on Thursday, February 7, 2025 with a rare moment of political candour, acknowledging the failures of Nigerian leadership and calling for greater accountability in governance.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Dr Fayemi admitted that leaders have not lived up to their promises, stressing that while incompetence is not always to blame, systemic obstacles have impeded progress.
‘We Owe Nigerians an Apology’
“Oh, clearly, we must apologise to the Nigerian people,” Fayemi stated.
“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,” he added.
His remarks, unusual among Nigerian politicians, served as a call for introspection and a challenge to both current and future leaders to prioritise effective governance over rhetoric.
Fayemi underscored that an apology alone is insufficient, adding that leadership demands decisive action.
“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.”
Launch of Leadership Institute
As part of his birthday celebrations, Fayemi officially launched the Amandla Institute for Policy and Leadership Advancement in Abuja.
The institute, he said, is designed to equip young African leaders with the tools needed for effective governance.
“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,” he reflected.
“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.”
On Tinubu’s Leadership and Policy Challenges
Fayemi also spoke candidly about the challenges of governance, commending President Bola Tinubu for making tough decisions while acknowledging the hardships they have caused.
“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 cautioned that well-intended policies must be accompanied by clear 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 with a call 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 said.
