President Bola Tinubu’s servant-oriented leadership is positioning Nigeria for sustainable growth and inclusive development, Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has said.
Wike made the remarks on Tuesday at the 2026 Annual Distinguished Personality Lecture Series, organised by the Faculty of Social Science, Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja.
The lecture focused on “Exemplary Leadership and Infrastructural Development in Nigeria: Between Dividends of Democracy and Good Governance.”
Highlighting Tinubu’s long-standing commitment to the democratic struggle, Wike said the president’s credentials were established before he assumed office.
He added that Tinubu’s record as Lagos State governor showed an ability to translate vision into measurable outcomes in areas such as internally generated revenue, infrastructure, and institutional reform.
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Wike cited the removal of the fuel subsidy as an early signal of Tinubu’s willingness to take politically difficult but necessary decisions.
He said the reform, though initially unpopular, freed resources for subnational development, helped halt unsustainable debt, and restored market discipline in the energy sector.
“Social media remains a vital instrument for civic participation and economic growth,” he said, “but without guardrails, it can distort national identity and undermine international confidence.”
He further highlighted the administration’s efforts to address structural imbalances through the devolution of development initiatives via zonal and regional commissions, while noting ongoing security reforms and investment in state capacity through training and funding of the armed forces.
“These measures reflect a strategy to reposition Nigeria on a path of reform and responsibility, where leadership bridges democratic authority and developmental outcomes,” Wike said.
The minister stressed that national transformation requires cooperation between leaders and citizens. “Progress is forged where leadership and followership work in synergy. The time for belief is now, and the time for action is now,” he said, calling for responsible citizenship to complement political leadership.
The lecture also featured remarks from the Vice Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, who said the event provides a platform for discourse on the link between leadership and development.
Aminu Gusau, former Coordinating Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and chairman of the event, praised Wike as a public servant whose tenure in the FCT has seen accelerated project delivery and infrastructure improvements. He noted that major roads and urban projects have been completed or rehabilitated since August 2023.
Earlier, Mutiullah Olasupo, Dean of the Faculty of Social Science, described Wike as an icon of democracy and infrastructure development in Nigeria, noting that the lecture would educate the university community and Nigerians on their role in the 2027 general elections and on governance.
