THE BURDEN OF LEADERSHIP: NIGERIA AT A CROSSROADS
Jerry Adesewo
Leadership is not about status or privilege—it is about solving problems. The Bible shows us repeatedly that leaders who influence history do so not because of their titles but because they confront challenges and provide solutions. Nowhere is this truth more evident than in the life of Moses. His journey from an exiled shepherd to the deliverer of Israel provides a timeless lesson on the making of great leaders.
THE MAKING OF A LEADER
The preparation of a leader takes time. God did not raise Moses in a day but through a process that involved both privilege and hardship. The Bible states in Exodus 3:1-4, “Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.”
Unlike what we are witnessing today, with most of our ‘leaders’, Moses was not idle when God called him. He was working. This is significant because God does not call the lazy. He calls those who are already engaged, those who have demonstrated responsibility in small things. Similarly, Nigeria has been blessed with many leaders, but how many of them were truly prepared for the enormous task of governing a complex nation?R
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When Olusegun ObasanjoOlusegun Obasanjo emerged as Nigeria’s civilian president in 1999, he did not come from obscurity. He had served as a military leader, endured the trials of imprisonment under Abacha, and emerged with a renewed perspective. His experience—both in governance and in suffering—prepared him for leadership. However, the same cannot be said for all who have occupied Nigeria’s highest office. Many were thrust into leadership without the necessary preparation, and the results have been disastrous.
THE EMOTIONAL CONNECTION TO SERVICE
A true leader carries a burden for his people. Hebrews 11:24-27 tells us that “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.” Before God called him, Moses was already deeply troubled by the oppression of his people.
This emotional connection to the plight of the masses is what separates transformational leaders from career politicians. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, and Ahmadu Bello were not mere politicians; they were burdened with a vision for Nigeria. They saw the country’s problems and took deliberate steps to address them. Awolowo, for instance, pioneered free education in the Western Region, a legacy that still impacts lives today. His leadership was not about himself but about solving real problems.
Sadly, Nigeria has also had leaders who were emotionally disconnected from the suffering of their people. When protests erupt over insecurity, unemployment, or economic hardship, some leaders respond with indifference, dismissing the concerns of the citizens. A leader who does not feel the pain of his people cannot truly serve them.
MENTORSHIP AND WISE COUNSEL
No great leader operates in isolation. Even Moses had mentors. Exodus 18:17-24 records how his father-in-law, Jethro, advised him to delegate responsibilities to capable men. Moses listened and adjusted his leadership approach.
Nigeria’s history has shown that leaders who embrace wise counsel tend to perform better. When Goodluck Jonathan assumed the presidency after the passing of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, he sought the guidance of experienced political figures. However, many Nigerian leaders surround themselves with sycophants—advisors who tell them what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear.
Take, for instance, Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure. Despite his military background, his administration struggled with economic challenges and security concerns. One of the major criticisms was that he relied too much on a close circle of trusted aides rather than casting a wider net for competent hands. Leadership requires humility to seek and accept counsel.
OVERCOMING WEAKNESSES
Moses was not perfect. When God called him, he immediately gave excuses. Exodus 3:11 records his first protest: “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He doubted his own abilities, but God assured him, “I will certainly be with you” (Exodus 3:12).
Many Nigerian leaders struggle with self-doubt. They fear public rejection and hesitate to make tough decisions. But leadership is not about being fearless—it is about acting despite fear. Dora Akunyili, as the Director-General of NAFDAC, faced death threats from counterfeit drug cartels, but she pressed on because she knew that saving lives was more important than protecting herself.
Moses also feared that the people would not listen to him. In Exodus 4:1, he said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice.” God responded by giving him signs and wonders to perform. Similarly, many Nigerian leaders hesitate to implement bold reforms because they fear backlash. But transformational leaders push forward, knowing that history will judge them not by the popularity of their decisions but by their impact.
A CHALLENGE TO PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU
Nigeria stands at a crossroads. The nation’s problems—ranging from economic instability to insecurity—are well known. The question is, will President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rise to the occasion, or will he succumb to the usual cycle of leadership excuses? A few if his decisions show the kind of deliberateness expected of a transformational leader, but the genuineness of his intentions is what still give Nigerians concerns.
Like Moses, Tinubu has come to leadership at a critical moment. The people are crying for deliverance from hardship, just as the Israelites cried out in Egypt. Will he, like Moses, accept the burden of leadership and act decisively? Will he surround himself with competent problem-solvers, or will he fill his government with political loyalists?
Nigeria does not need another leader who merely occupies Aso Rock; it needs a problem solver. Tinubu must recognize that leadership is a divine assignment, one that requires him to dig deep, embrace wise counsel, and make tough decisions even when they are unpopular.
Just as Moses had Aaron and Joshua to support him, Tinubu must ensure that his administration is populated by people of integrity, competence, and vision. Nigeria cannot afford another wasted opportunity. The time for excuses is over. The time for true leadership has come.
CONCLUSION
Leadership is not a title; it is a responsibility. Moses could have stayed in Midian tending sheep, but he chose to answer the call. Today, Nigeria needs leaders who will stop making excuses and start solving problems. President Tinubu has a chance to change the narrative. The question remains: will he rise to the challenge, or will he be remembered as just another name in Nigeria’s long list of missed opportunities?
The future of Nigeria depends on problem solvers. May those in power heed the lessons of Moses and embrace the true essence of leadership.