Tinubu’s Polytechnic in Abuja: A Legacy or a New Low in Governance? – Written by Comrade Ufezime Nelson Ubi

The recent approval of a polytechnic in Abuja, named after Mr. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has sparked significant controversy and public outrage. Naming a national institution after oneself while still in office raises critical ethical questions and highlights the troubling dynamics of leadership and governance in Nigeria.

This act reflects a self-serving agenda that undermines the principles of democracy and public accountability. Naming a public institution after oneself while holding the highest office in the land sends a clear message: personal legacy is prioritized over national progress. This move disregards the millions of Nigerians who desperately need real, transformative leadership and underscores the systemic flaws in governance that enable such decisions to flourish unchecked.

The timing of this development is especially concerning. Nigeria is facing numerous crises, including a crumbling education system, poor infrastructure, and economic hardship. Public universities and polytechnics are underfunded, and the education sector is regularly disrupted by strikes. Instead of addressing these pressing challenges, the focus appears to be on promoting personal glory.

This decision also reeks of corruption and misuse of power. It begs the question: what funds are being allocated to this polytechnic? Are public resources being redirected to fuel the president’s personal ambitions? Transparency is paramount, and Nigerians deserve to know the full story behind the financing and approval of this institution.

Moreover, this situation highlights a deeper cultural problem within Nigeria’s political elite—a preoccupation with immortalizing themselves through projects, structures, and monuments while neglecting the needs of the people they were elected to serve. Leadership should be about service, not self-promotion. Public officeholders should focus on policies that uplift the masses, not on building institutions that bear their names.

A leader’s legacy is not defined by the number of buildings or institutions named after them but by the tangible impact of their policies on the lives of ordinary citizens. What Nigerians need are investments in existing institutions, not the creation of new ones for personal glorification. Imagine the difference it would make if the resources spent on this polytechnic were directed toward revitalizing public universities, funding scholarships, or improving the welfare of lecturers and students.

This situation also exposes the need for systemic reform. Decisions like these emphasize the urgent need for accountability and transparency in governance. Public officials should not have the power to name institutions after themselves while in office, as this constitutes a clear conflict of interest.

This is why the #RevolutionNow movement remains as relevant as ever. It is a call for Nigerians to demand better leadership—leaders who prioritize national interests over personal ambition, who understand that their role is to serve, not to aggrandize themselves.

The naming of this polytechnic after Mr. Tinubu is more than just a symbolic gesture; it is a reflection of the deep-seated issues plaguing Nigeria’s governance. It is a reminder that the fight for accountability, justice, and transparency in leadership is far from over. Nigerians must remain vigilant, holding their leaders to the highest standards and demanding a governance system that puts the people first.

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