Nigeria's North and its Leadership Mirage
By Usman Muhammad Salihu, Northern Nigeria stands at a defining moment in its history. Once the bastion of strong leadership and cultural resilience, the region is now plagued by a crisis of governance. The distinction between "leaders of the North" and "leaders in the North" has never been more pronounced. Leaders of the North are those who carry the burden of the region’s progress on their shoulders, while leaders in the North are mere seat-fillers—occupants of political positions without a true sense of duty. Unfortunately, today’s reality leans heavily towards the latter. The region is flooded with individuals who wear the titles of governors, senators, ministers, and traditional rulers, yet their leadership amounts to little more than self-interest, political survival, and personal ambition. The result? Northern Nigeria remains stuck in a cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and insecurity, trailing behind the rest of the country on almost every developmental inde...