As Dr. Yemi Farounbi approaches his 80th birthday, he reflects on Nigeria’s journey, revealing the blend of hope, frustration, and missed opportunities that have shaped the nation. In a candid interview, the former Nigerian ambassador shares his experiences and observations, lamenting the lost potential of a country once poised to lead Africa in political and economic development.
Dr. Farounbi’s reflections on Nigeria’s trajectory depict a nation that offered much hope but consistently missed opportunities for progress. When Nigeria gained independence, it was seen as a beacon for Africa's development. However, he observes that the country’s failure to harness its diversity for collective growth has been a major setback. He recalls Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe’s vision of using Nigeria’s ethnic strengths for development, yet laments how, over time, these differences were suppressed rather than celebrated, leading to a homogenized, struggling populace.
According to Farounbi, Nigeria's early years were filled with potential. Ethnic groups like the Igbos, Yorubas, and Fulanis were known for their industry, self-sufficiency, and resourcefulness. Yet today, Nigerians, once proud and industrious, are reduced to poverty and dependency, lining up for basic staples like rice and cassava. Hunger does not have tribal marks, he says, capturing the shared suffering across ethnic divides.
Farounbi discusses how Nigeria’s decline began in the 1960s, when political manipulation and military intervention took root. He points to the 1966 coup, Operation Wet e, and the subsequent civil war as moments when Nigeria’s path veered off course. Instead of leveraging its resources for growth, the country, particularly after the civil war, squandered opportunities like oil wealth, unlike Malaysia and Indonesia, which diversified their economies.
The military, Farounbi believes, further deepened Nigeria’s troubles. The mass retirement of civil servants under General Murtala Mohammed altered the civil service’s fabric, leading to a culture of greed and corruption. Obasanjo’s centralized federalism and the forced imposition of a presidential system are cited as additional missteps, contributing to Nigeria’s over-centralization and weakening of democratic institutions.
Farounbi draws a clear line between Nigeria’s flawed political recruitment process and its deteriorating governance. He recalls how, in earlier years, merit determined political appointments and academic scholarships. As a student, he had access to national leaders, and university scholarships were awarded based on performance. However, the political monetization that began in the 1980s shifted focus from merit to wealth, where only the rich could afford to run for office. This has excluded the best and brightest from leadership positions, resulting in a mental poverty among today's political elite.
He criticizes the current political system, where alliances are based solely on the desire for power rather than ideological differences. The formation of the PDP in 1999 and later the APC were not driven by visions for Nigeria’s future but by the need to oust the ruling military. Farounbi notes that this lack of ideology has continued, leaving Nigerians with leaders who are more interested in power for power's sake than in nation building.
Despite his disappointment, Farounbi believes that Nigeria can still turn around. He argues that poverty, now a common dialect,will eventually push Nigerians to demand better leadership. The real change, he insists, will come when Nigerians stop being swayed by the wealth of politicians and instead focus on competence and integrity. Crowd-funding, he believes, could democratize political participation, allowing capable individuals to rise without the need for vulgar monetization.
In the long run, Farounbi hopes that Nigeria will return to the values of the past, where hard work, merit, and ethnic diversity were celebrated. The road may be long, but he sees the potential for Nigerians to rise above the failures of their leaders and demand a better future.
Looking back on his own life, Farounbi feels a deep sense of gratitude. From his early days in broadcasting to his role in shaping Nigeria’s media landscape, he credits his successes to God’s grace and the opportunities provided by a merit-based system. His contributions to the arts, politics, and diplomacy reflect a life lived in service to Nigeria. However, he is not blind to the choices the nation has made and the consequences that have followed.
For Farounbi, Nigeria’s current challenges stem from decades of poor decisions whether political, economic, or structural. But, as he turns 80, his hope for a better Nigeria remains undiminished. He believes that the shared suffering of Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity or religion, will ultimately lead to a united push for real change.
The story of Nigeria, as Dr. Farounbi sees it, is far from over. With the right leadership, commitment to merit, and a return to the values of old, he believes that the country can still fulfill its promise.