Nigerian lawyer, author, and political activist Dele Farotimi has called for a national recommitment to the rule of law and citizen-driven accountability as solutions to Nigeria’s worsening governance crisis.
Farotimi made the call while speaking at the Africa Leadership Group’s Nigeria Leadership Series in Lagos, hosted by Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, where he spoke on the theme “Overcoming the Challenges of Poor Governance.”
The outspoken activist, who also serves as National Organizing Secretary of Afenifere, said Nigeria’s leadership and governance failures are rooted in the absence of justice and consequences for wrongdoing.
“One of the first things that has to be done if you want to save this country is to subject it to the rule of law. There must be consequences for actions,” Farotimi said.
He criticized the government’s handling of corruption cases, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy without accountability for funds previously stolen through subsidy scams.
“People must pay for their crimes,” he said. “It cannot be that we cancel the subsidy regime because of corruption, yet no one is punished, and the poor continue to suffer.”
Farotimi also decried rising insecurity and hunger across the country, linking them to the failure of governance and economic mismanagement.
He urged Nigerians to unite beyond ethnic and religious lines, embrace education, and organize collective action to bring about real change.
“Until we sit down and agree that we don’t want to be this way and act on it, nothing will change,” he said.
“If we don’t act now, 2027 will be no different from 2023.”
The activist stressed that Nigeria’s middle class must reclaim its role in shaping public opinion and demanding reforms.
“We need to educate the people and organize them to act. Without action, there will be no change,” Farotimi added.
He concluded by urging citizens to resist despair and take responsibility for shaping a just and accountable society.
