Seyi Makinde Challenges Status Quo: ‘Nigeria Has Strayed from Its Path

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has underscored the critical need for effective leadership as a foundation for Nigeria’s growth and progress.

In his weekly newsletter on Thursday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor stated that both leaders and citizens must confront the hard truth about whether Nigeria is truly on the right path. According to him, such reflection is vital to taking meaningful steps toward national transformation.

“As Nigeria marks another year of democratic existence, Oyo State takes a moment not just to celebrate, but to reflect,” Makinde wrote.

“Are we where we ought to be as a nation? Are we building a Nigeria that gives the next generation the freedom to dream big? These questions may be tough, but answering them with honesty and courage is the first step toward rewriting our national story,” he added.

Governor Makinde emphasized that true leadership should focus on purpose, not power — and on people, not popularity.

“Leadership should be about making decisions that ensure a prosperous future, not ones that win temporary applause. The best legacies are not in monuments, but in lives changed and institutions strengthened,” he said.

He concluded by urging leaders across the country to start building enduring legacies today, stressing: “The time for legacy is not in the future. The time is now.”