The Tinubu In Everyone: A Call To Be The Nigeria We Want To See

When discussions about Nigeria’s progress arise, attention often shifts almost immediately to the President. Every policy, every economic challenge, every infrastructural gap and every national success is interpreted through the lens of the occupant of Aso Rock. Whether one supports or criticises President Bola Tinubu, one truth remains constant: no president can single-handedly build the Nigeria of our dreams. Beyond the Tinubu in Aso Rock is the Tinubu in every Nigerian—the individual capacity to influence society through daily decisions and personal responsibility.

This is not an argument to excuse government failures. Governments exist to provide leadership, security, infrastructure and an enabling environment for citizens. They must be held accountable for these responsibilities. However, national development cannot be outsourced entirely to political leaders while citizens neglect their own civic obligations. The Nigeria we desire demands responsible governance and responsible citizenship.

Every Nigerian occupies a position of influence, however small. The lecturer shapes future professionals. The teacher moulds young minds. The trader determines whether honesty survives in the marketplace. The artisan chooses between quality workmanship and shortcuts. The journalist decides whether to promote truth or sensationalism. The religious leader influences the moral compass of thousands. Parents raise the next generation of citizens. In every sphere, there is a “Tinubu”—someone with authority, responsibility and the power to make choices that affect others.

Many Nigerians rightly condemn corruption in public office while engaging in smaller forms of dishonesty in everyday life. Some demand transparency from government but evade taxes, offer bribes to bypass procedures or exploit every available loophole for personal gain. Others lament poor work ethics in public institutions while arriving late at work, neglecting assigned duties or treating public property as nobody’s property. National character is not merely a reflection of leadership; leadership is often a reflection of national character.

History shows that enduring nations are built not only by visionary leaders but also by conscientious citizens. Roads are kept clean because citizens refuse to litter them. Public facilities remain functional because users treat them with care. Institutions become strong because workers perform their duties with integrity. Elections improve because citizens vote responsibly and reject inducements. A nation’s greatness is ultimately the cumulative product of millions of individual choices.

The phrase “the Tinubu in everyone” therefore invites self-examination rather than political praise or criticism. If each Nigerian were entrusted with the authority currently vested in the President, how differently would we govern? Would we resist the temptations that accompany power? Would we prioritise the common good above personal interests? These uncomfortable questions remind us that leadership begins long before one occupies public office.

Perhaps the transformation Nigeria seeks will begin when citizens stop seeing governance as something that belongs exclusively to elected officials. Every queue respected, every contract honestly executed, every student who rejects examination malpractice, every motorist who obeys traffic regulations, every employer who pays fair wages and every public servant who refuses to demand bribes contributes to nation-building. These acts may appear insignificant in isolation, but collectively they shape the culture of a nation.

Nigeria certainly needs visionary political leadership. Yet it equally needs visionary citizenship. The future we seek will emerge when accountability flows in both directions—from leaders to citizens and from citizens to themselves. The Nigeria we want to see cannot be built solely by the Tinubu in Aso Rock. It must also be built by the Tinubu in every home, office, classroom, marketplace and community. The journey to a better nation begins not only with changing leaders but also with becoming better citizens ourselves.

(c) 2026 Ganiu Bamgbose writes from Lagos.