Tinubu pledges Awolowo-style reforms at 2026 Memorial Lecture

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By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday assured Nigerians of the current administration’s commitment to comprehensive reforms and long-term national development, saying the government’s agenda reflects the visionary leadership style of late nationalist Obafemi Awolowo.

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Tinubu made the remarks during the 2026 Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Lecture, organised by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation at Efunyela Hall, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State. He was represented by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziq Salako.

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The annual lecture, themed “Politics as Future-Making: Awolowo and Leadership as Theory of Action,” drew governors, traditional rulers, lawmakers, and civil society leaders, including Dapo Abiodun, Seyi Makinde, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, and Aare Gani Adams.

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Salako described Awolowo as a rare statesman whose visionary policies in education, healthcare, and infrastructure transformed the old Western Region and continue to influence development in the South-West. He highlighted Awolowo’s introduction of free universal primary education in 1955 and the construction of over 2,000 kilometres of roads, noting the enduring impact of these initiatives.

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President Tinubu said his administration’s economic and structural reforms had begun stabilising the economy, citing a GDP growth rate of 4.23 per cent in Q2 2025, improved foreign reserves, and a lower debt-service-to-revenue ratio. He urged citizens to support ongoing reforms to sustain economic recovery and growth.

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Former Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku hailed Awolowo as one of Nigeria’s founding fathers, describing him as “the best President Nigeria never had.” He cautioned against excessive focus on the 2027 general elections and stressed the need to address insecurity in parts of Zamfara, Niger, Plateau, Benue, and Sokoto states.

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Delivering the lecture, Professor Wale Adebanwi attributed Nigeria’s leadership challenges to structural issues in state composition, political economy, and elite formation. He said Awolowo’s approach to politics, grounded in long-term planning and evidence-based policy, offered lessons for contemporary leaders.

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In a goodwill message, Senator Gbenga Daniel urged young Nigerians to engage Awolowo’s ideas critically, noting that the late leader treated governance as a disciplined intellectual enterprise. He highlighted Awolowo’s policies, such as free primary education and Africa’s first regional television station, as examples of visionary ideas translated into development outcomes.

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Earlier, the Executive Director of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation, Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, announced the Obafemi Awolowo Future Leaders Fellowship, a mentorship and leadership training initiative for young Africans aged 20 to 35, aimed at nurturing ethical, visionary leaders inspired by Awolowo’s principles of public service and social justice.

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The foundation also plans to introduce sector-based awards recognising individuals demonstrating excellence and integrity in their fields.

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