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 elections.
The anniversary lecture, initially slated to feature Professor Adeolu Akande OON, a distinguished Nigerian journalist, editor, scholar, and lecturer, saw his insights delivered by his representative, Dr. Idowu Johnson of the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan.
Johnson’s address, presented from both academic and general perspectives, laid bare the deep-seated issues hindering good governance in Nigeria. He emphasised 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, characterised by indices such as participation, equality, transparency, accountability, efficiency, and openness. Crucially, he argued, there can be “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 in 2003 to between ₦270,000 and ₦300,000 currently, while the salary of an assistant lecturer has barely increased, making education inaccessible for many.
Similarly, Johnson 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 criticised the lack of accountability of 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.
Johnson also cited election manipulation, rigging, and money politics as significant impediments. He posed a rhetorical question to the journalists present at SWEGOP 9th Anniversary/Award Lecture: “Why can’t you fight for a governorship position? Why can’t you fight for a presidential position?” The impediment, he contended, lies in the exorbitant financial requirements, with a governorship race demanding, at least, ₦50 billion, 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 marginalisation 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 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, Dr Johnson proposed several crucial lessons. According to him, electoral reforms, particularly the electronic transmission of results, is paramount to restore public confidence, which was severely eroded in the 2023 elections due to perceived inconsistencies.
Johnson 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.
He strongly advocated citizen participation and transparency in government, declaring that the two are vital, requiring extensive public engagement and information dissemination.
He called for a critical institutional reform, noting that existing institutions like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (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, Johnson called 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.
He emphasised youth mobilisation and the inclusion of women in the political process, alongside responsible journalism that holds power accountable.
Finally, Dr Johnson stressed the importance of electing candidates knowledgeable in economic policies and shunning ethnic and religious politics, while strengthening civil society organisations to serve as effective watchdogs.
Adding to the discourse, former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, a media icon and seasoned administrator, underscored the crucial role of online publishers in information dissemination, especially given the limitations of traditional media.
Dr Farounbi urged online publishers to prioritise timely and accurate news coverage, political education for voters, and amplifying diverse voices, including those of minority groups and opposition parties. He 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 emphasised 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 Chairman of Dangote Group’s congratulations to SWEGOP on its 9th Anniversary. He acknowledged the valuable partnership between the conglomerate and the Guild of Online Publishers.
Brown lauded the resilience of the media, despite economic challenges, recognising the significant contributions of journalists who often receive little in return. He affirmed the Dangote Group’s continued support for online media, acknowledging their growing influence, despite being sometimes labeled as “internet infestations.”
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 South-West Nigeria.
Oladele emphasised the commitment of SWEGOP 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.
He highlighted the ethical charter of SWEGOP 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.
