Oyelaran-Olayinka Lambasts Nigerian Leaders for Prioritising Personal Welfare to Development

Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Senior Special Adviser to the President of the African Development Bank on Industrialization, has lambasted Nigerian leaders for prioritizing personal power and interests over the country’s development.

Speaking at a forum in Abuja, Oyelaran-Oyeyinka expressed his disappointment and frustration with the current state of affairs in Nigeria, where he believes that the pursuit of power and wealth has taken precedence over the welfare and progress of the nation.

“It is unfortunate that our leaders have consistently prioritized their personal interests and quest for power over the development of our great nation.

“This has led to a situation where our country is richly endowed with natural resources, yet our people remain poor and struggling to make ends meet,”Oyelaran-Oyeyinka said.

Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, a renowned expert in industrialization and economic development, noted that Nigeria’s failure to diversify its economy and invest in critical sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, and human capital has hindered the country’s ability to achieve sustainable growth and development.

“We have a leadership that is more focused on accumulating power and wealth than on building a prosperous and stable nation. This has resulted in a lack of vision, poor policy implementation, and a general lack of accountability, which have all contributed to our current economic woes,” he regretted.

The AfDB adviser called on Nigerian leaders to re-examine their priorities and put the interests of the nation and its people above their personal ambitions. He emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in the country’s leadership, where development and the welfare of citizens become the primary focus.

“Nigeria has the potential to become a great nation, but this can only be achieved if our leaders are willing to put the interests of the country first,” Oyelaran-Oyeyinka said, adding, “We need leaders who are visionary, selfless, and committed to the development of our nation, not just those who are interested in accumulating power and wealth.”