Former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili has criticised Nigeria’s political and economic system, arguing that the country’s structures often reward questionable wealth while making it difficult for productive citizens to thrive.
Ezekwesili made the remarks while discussing Nigeria’s leadership and governance system on News Central’s 60 Minutes with Mr Kay.
She questioned the origins of the wealth held by many prominent Nigerians, arguing that only a small proportion could be clearly connected to productive economic activity.
According to her, Nigeria’s leadership recruitment process has developed in a way that can reward poor character rather than competence and integrity.
She argued that when political systems reward bad behaviour, the result is a society where unethical conduct becomes economically and politically attractive.
Ezekwesili also challenged the widespread perception that government is one of the easiest routes to becoming wealthy.
Her broader argument was that Nigeria’s governance problems cannot be solved by simply waiting for better leaders to emerge.
She said good governance requires deliberate institutional design and citizens who are willing to demand accountability.
The former minister’s comments come amid continuing national debate over inequality, corruption, public-sector accountability and the difficulty many Nigerians face in building wealth through legitimate productive activity.
Her position reflects a wider criticism of Nigeria’s political economy: that access to political power can provide opportunities for wealth accumulation that are unavailable to ordinary citizens.
Ezekwesili maintained that Nigerians must actively demand better governance rather than remain passive observers of the country’s political system.
Her comments have renewed discussion about the relationship between political power, wealth creation and economic productivity in Nigeria.