By Egede Lawrence
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is a country brimming with potential. Yet, decades of mismanagement, political self-interest, and systemic corruption have left millions of citizens feeling abandoned by those sworn to serve them. At the heart of this crisis lies a disturbing truth: politics in Nigeria often rewards personal enrichment far more than public service.
Across the country, ordinary Nigerians face a daily struggle for survival. From unreliable power supply and dilapidated roads to inaccessible healthcare and failing educational systems, the signs of governmental neglect are everywhere. Yet, while these problems persist, many politicians continue to leave office wealthier than they entered it, a stark testament to the prioritization of personal gain over the welfare of the people.
Politics: Service or Self-Enrichment?
At its core, politics should be a means to serve the people. Leaders are expected to listen to the masses, address their needs, and improve the conditions of everyday life. In Nigeria, however, politics has often strayed from this ideal.
Appointments to key offices are frequently determined not by competence or integrity, but by loyalty to the ruling party or personal connections. Public resources are channeled toward projects that enrich a select few, rather than benefiting society at large. This has created a government that is perceived as serving itself, rather than the people it represents.
Consider the trajectory of many Nigerian politicians: they campaign with promises of progress, seek votes with vigor, and engage communities with apparent concern. Yet, once in power, many fail to maintain that connection. Public funds are diverted, oversight is weak, and the ordinary citizen feels invisible. The disconnect between electoral promises and governance has left many Nigerians disillusioned, apathetic, and frustrated.
The Rise of Political Wealth
The narrative of wealth accumulation in Nigerian politics is impossible to ignore. Leaders leave office with fortunes built on public resources, while the citizens who voted them into power continue to struggle. It is not inherently wrong for public servants to prosper from their careers, but the troubling trend is the disproportionate enrichment that comes at the expense of national development and social welfare.
A look across local, state and federal governments reveals the scope of this disparity. Schools remain underfunded, hospitals lack basic equipment, and roads crumble, yet politicians’ wealth grows. The stark contrast between the lives of those in office and the lives of ordinary citizens has fueled widespread cynicism. Many Nigerians now question the purpose of elections altogether, perceiving them as mechanisms for personal gain rather than instruments for meaningful change.
When Politics Becomes Partisan Loyalty
Partisan loyalty often dictates political appointments and decision-making in Nigeria. This means that public offices may be filled with individuals more concerned with advancing party interests than addressing citizens’ needs. Policies can become tools for consolidating power rather than improving society.
The consequences are clear. Citizens feel excluded from decision-making processes, their concerns ignored, and their needs deprioritized. A culture of favoritism takes root, where services are allocated based on loyalty rather than merit or necessity. This undermines the very foundation of governance and erodes public trust, creating a cycle where disengagement and disenchantment flourish.
The Human Cost of Political Apathy
The effects of self-serving politics are not abstract but they are deeply human. Millions of Nigerians endure preventable hardships every day because resources are mismanaged or diverted. Businesses fail due to inconsistent policies and lack of infrastructure. Families struggle to afford healthcare. Students contend with poorly funded schools. Communities are left without clean water, electricity, or safe roads.
These consequences extend beyond inconvenience; they impact life expectancy, economic mobility, and the overall well-being of the nation. When citizens perceive leaders as prioritizing personal gain over service, trust erodes, participation wanes, and democracy itself is weakened. The “wealth over service” culture has tangible, devastating impacts on the nation’s development.
The Spiritual and Moral Dimension
Beyond politics and economics, there is a moral dimension to this crisis.
Leadership in Nigeria is often seen through a lens of personal ambition rather than collective responsibility. Politicians may engage in performative acts of charity or visibility, giving the appearance of service, but the underlying motivation often remains self-interest.
This disconnect between perception and reality has spiritual and psychological consequences. Citizens feel abandoned, disempowered, and cynical. The act of voting becomes a ritual devoid of real impact, as the cycle of personal enrichment continues. Those in power often see themselves as untouchable, reinforcing a culture where ethical lapses are tolerated and accountability is scarce.
Stories from the Ground
To understand the depth of this issue, one must speak with ordinary Nigerians. In Lagos, residents recount years of traffic congestion, power outages, and bureaucratic inefficiency, while noticing little improvement despite repeated promises. In the North, farmers struggle with poor roads that prevent crops from reaching markets, despite government schemes touted as “transformative.” In the South-East, students attend underfunded schools with inadequate facilities, while leaders enjoy opulent lifestyles.
These experiences reflect a broader pattern: citizens witness wealth accumulation at the top and hardship at the bottom. The contrast fuels anger, apathy, and disengagement, raising the question: what is the point of government if it fails to serve those it represents?
Rebuilding Trust: A National Imperative
The solution lies not in rhetoric but in genuine accountability, service, and empathy. Leaders must prioritize policies that directly improve the lives of citizens, address systemic corruption, and ensure equitable distribution of resources. Transparency in governance is critical, as is fostering a political culture that values merit, integrity, and service over personal gain.
Equally important is citizen engagement. Nigerians must continue to demand accountability, participate in civic processes, and challenge systems that perpetuate inequality. A government that listens, responds, and prioritizes the welfare of the people can gradually restore trust, inspire participation, and ensure that politics serves its intended purpose: the common good.
Lessons for the Next Generation
Young Nigerians must understand the stakes. Politics is not merely a game of elections and party loyalty; it is a responsibility to serve society and improve human life. By recognizing the gap between wealth accumulation and public service, future leaders can strive to create a culture of ethical governance.
Education, civic engagement, and moral leadership are key. Citizens must insist that leaders be judged not by their wealth, attire, or charisma, but by tangible improvements in public welfare. This shift in expectation can reshape the political landscape, restoring integrity, fairness, and meaningful service.
Wealth Should Never Eclipse Service
The disturbing reality of Nigerian politics today is clear: personal enrichment often overshadows public service. This imbalance has consequences for trust, governance, and national development. Citizens struggle while leaders prosper, and political apathy grows.
Yet there is hope. By acknowledging this reality, confronting corruption, and prioritizing the needs of the people, Nigeria can begin to rebuild a culture of responsible leadership. Wealth and power should never be the measure of success in public office service, empathy, and genuine impact must be.
Only then can the ordinary Nigerian feel heard, valued, and represented. Only then can politics fulfill its true purpose: serving the people, not oneself.
