It is essential to reflect on the valuable lessons that today’s politicians can learn from the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s exemplary leadership. Awolowo, a visionary and transformative leader, left a lasting legacy of progressive governance, innovative policies, and unwavering commitment to the betterment of Nigeria. Awolowo’s emphasis on reform to drive progress, development, and prosperity for all Nigerians remains as relevant today as it was during his tenure. In honouring Awolowo’s birthday, it is fitting to consider how his principles can guide policymakers in navigating the complexities of modern governance and leading Nigeria towards a brighter and more sustainable future.
Reflecting on the indelible mark he left on Nigeria through his visionary leadership, particularly his groundbreaking free education policy, Awolowo’s legacy continues to resonate with many Nigerians, myself included. Personally, I owe much of who I am today to the opportunities afforded me through this policy. In honour of Awolowo, it is fitting to explore and celebrate his attributes that today’s politicians can emulate for the betterment of our nation.
Awolowo was a visionary leader who played a key role in shaping modern Nigeria. His commitment to the principles of justice, equity, and progress made him a champion of the common man and a symbol of good governance. It is important to reflect on his legacy and the values he stood for. One of the most enduring legacies of Awolowo is education. He believed that education was the key to unlocking the full potential of every individual and building a strong and prosperous nation. Through his free education policy in Western Nigeria, he made education accessible to all, regardless of their socio-economic background. This policy not only transformed the lives of countless individuals but also laid the foundation for the development of the region.
Another attribute of Awolowo that stood out is his integrity and transparency. He was known for his honesty and commitment to serving the people with humility and dedication. His leadership was characterised by accountability and a strong sense of duty towards the people he served. In a time when corruption and self-interest often prevail in politics, Awolowo’s example serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity and ethical leadership. Furthermore, Awolowo was a forward-thinking leader who was not afraid to innovate and pursue bold ideas for the betterment of society. His vision for a modern and progressive Nigeria inspired generations of leaders and continues to shape public discourse and policymaking in the country. His emphasis on infrastructure development, industrialisation, and economic diversification laid the groundwork for Nigeria’s future growth and development.
Awolowo’s impact on Nigerian politics and society spanned from the early days of independent Nigeria to his passing in 1987. Throughout his political career, he consistently demonstrated a commitment to education. This policy revolutionised access to education in the region, leading to a significant increase in literacy rates and the emergence of a more educated workforce. The impact of this policy is still evident today, as many of Nigeria’s most prominent leaders and professionals from the region benefited from this initiative.
As Premier of the Western Region, Awolowo prioritised infrastructure development to support economic growth and social welfare. He oversaw the construction of roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals; improving the quality of life for the people in the region. His focus on building a strong foundation for development left a lasting impact on infrastructure development in Nigeria. He was a proponent of industrialisation as a means to reduce dependence on imported goods and create job opportunities for Nigerians. He established industrial estates and factories in the Western Region, promoting local production and economic growth. His emphasis on economic diversification and industrialisation set a precedent for future leaders to follow.
Throughout his political career, Awolowo demonstrated strong leadership qualities, including courage, foresight, and integrity. He stood against corruption and advocated transparency and accountability in governance. His principled stance on issues such as federalism and fiscal responsibility set him apart as a leader committed to the national interest above personal gain.
In the lead-up to independence, Awolowo was actively involved in the nationalist movement to secure self-governance for Nigeria. As a prominent leader in the Action Group, he advocated greater autonomy and self-determination for the various regions of Nigeria. His efforts contributed to the push for independence from British colonial rule. Awolowo was a strong advocate for regional autonomy and federalism in Nigeria. He believed that the diverse ethnic and cultural groups in the country should have the right to govern themselves and develop according to their own priorities. His vision for a federal system of government laid the groundwork for the federal structure that Nigeria adopted at independence.
Even before independence, Awolowo championed social welfare programmes and policies that prioritised the well-being of the people. His advocacy for affordable housing, healthcare, and education reflected his commitment to improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians. These initiatives set a precedent for future social welfare programmes in Nigeria. Awolowo’s political ideology, which emphasised progressivism, social justice, and economic development, was a driving force in pre-independence Nigerian politics. He focused on policies that promoted economic growth, social equity, and self-reliance, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and prosperous society.
He was a vocal critic of British colonial rule in Nigeria and advocated self-governance. He played a key role in mobilising support for the nationalist movement and challenging the colonial administration’s oppressive policies. His leadership helped galvanise support for independence and set the stage for Nigeria’s transition to self-rule.
If Awolowo were alive today, he would likely employ a mix of economic, social, psychological, and technological strategies to address contemporary challenges and drive development in Nigeria. Given the current overdependence on oil revenue in Nigeria, Awolowo might advocate diversification of the economy, promoting sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and services to reduce vulnerability to fluctuations in oil prices. Chief Awolowo could prioritise support for small and medium-sized enterprises by providing access to funding, business development services, and market linkages to stimulate entrepreneurship and create jobs.
In line with global trends, Awolowo might prioritise sustainable development initiatives, such as promoting renewable energy, green technologies, and environmentally friendly practices to address climate change and ensure long-term economic viability. He could prioritise investments in education, healthcare, and skills training to enhance human capital development and empower the workforce with the necessary tools to compete in a knowledge-based economy.
In addressing poverty and inequality, Awolowo might advocate social welfare programmes that provide a safety net for vulnerable populations, including cash transfers, healthcare subsidies, and social security measures. He would likely champion gender equality and social inclusion by promoting policies that empower women, youths, and marginalised groups to participate fully in economic and social development.
Chief Awolowo might emphasise the importance of fostering a sense of national identity and unity among diverse ethnic and cultural groups by promoting inclusive dialogue, tolerance, and understanding to overcome historical divisions and promote social cohesion. He could stress the values of leadership, integrity, and visionary governance as key attributes for inspiring confidence, trust, and accountability in public institutions and leaders. He would likely call for reforms to diversify the economy, strengthen key sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, attract foreign investment, and create more opportunities for job creation and wealth generation.
Awolowo would likely call for reforms to improve the quality of education, increase access to education for all citizens, enhance skills training and vocational education, and promote lifelong learning to empower the workforce and drive economic growth. Chief Awolowo believed in providing quality healthcare for all citizens. He would likely call for reforms to strengthen the healthcare system, improve access to affordable healthcare services, invest in healthcare infrastructure and technology, and prioritise preventive care and public health initiatives to improve health outcomes and reduce disease burden.
Awolowo emphasised ethical leadership, transparency, and accountability in governance. He would likely call for reforms to promote good governance, uphold the rule of law, fight corruption, ensure transparency in public administration, and strengthen institutions to deliver services efficiently and effectively for the benefit of all citizens.
Expanding on the reform concept further, Awolowo might also focus on environmental sustainability. Chief Awolowo would likely prioritise environmental protection and sustainable development. He might advocate reforms to address environmental degradation, promote renewable energy and green technologies, implement climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, protect natural resources, and foster sustainable practices in agriculture, industry, and urban planning to ensure a healthy environment for current and future generations.
Chief Awolowo, a visionary leader, would likely recognise the transformative power of digital technology. He might call for reforms to drive digital innovation, expand broadband internet access, promote e-governance and digital services, enhance cybersecurity, and foster a digital economy to unlock new opportunities for growth, efficiency, and inclusion in the digital age.
Overall, today’s politicians can draw inspiration from Awolowo’s legacy by embracing visionary leadership, ethical governance, people-centred policies, education and human capital development, unity and nation-building, innovation and adaptability, courage and resilience. By embodying these values and lessons, politicians can contribute to building a just, prosperous, and inclusive society for all.
- Prof. Ademola authored this piece