Wike Says Tinubu Is the Kind of Leader Nigeria’s Been Waiting For

At a lecture that sounded more like a heartfelt plea for better leadership, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, didn’t hold back. Speaking at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Wike laid it all out: Nigeria’s biggest problem isn’t its people, its resources, or even the global economy, it’s the people in charge.

Wike didn’t sugarcoat it. He echoed a sentiment that’s been around for decades, that Nigeria keeps falling short because bad leadership keeps dragging it down. He nodded to author Chinua Achebe’s famous take on this, agreeing that poor leadership is at the root of so many of the country’s struggles.

But Wike wasn’t just there to complain. He believes there’s finally a shift and he thinks President Bola Tinubu is leading it. In his view, Tinubu isn’t just another politician talking big. Wike sees him as the kind of leader who’s ready to make the tough calls, face down backlash, and actually get things done, even if it ruffles feathers.

He pointed to Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidies on day one in office. A move past presidents talked about but never had the guts to pull off. Wike believes that kind of bold action, no matter how painful at first, is what real leadership looks like. And now, he says, we’re seeing the ripple effects: states have more money to spend, national debt isn’t ballooning like before, and fuel prices are slowly responding to real market forces.

Wike also praised Tinubu’s push to decentralize power. Instead of keeping everything locked up in Abuja, there’s now more effort to return decision-making and resources to regions and communities. It’s a quiet but serious attempt to strengthen federalism in a country that’s often struggled to practice what it preaches.

On security, Wike said there’s been real movement too, more funding, better training for security forces, and even plans to roll out forest guards nationwide. The idea? Cut off bandits and terrorists before they can find safe zones to operate from. Wike’s confident this could mark the beginning of the end for the violence that’s haunted many parts of the country for years.

Throughout his speech, Wike made it clear: if Nigeria’s going to become the country people dream about, it needs strong, fearless, hands-on leadership, not photo ops and fancy speeches. And for now, he believes Tinubu is delivering just that.

Others at the event seemed to agree. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, through his deputy, called Wike a straight-shooter and praised his work transforming the FCT. The university’s Vice-Chancellor called the topic of the lecture timely and much-needed, especially at a point when people are questioning the very direction the country is headed.

Even the Ooni of Ife gave Wike a nod of respect, calling him bold and unafraid to speak uncomfortable truths whether you love him or not.

So, is this the turning point Nigeria’s been waiting for? Wike clearly thinks so. Time and results will tell.