Weak Governance and Judiciary Undermining Nigeria’s Global Image – Jonathan

Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, has expressed concern that a compromised judiciary and weak governance are significant barriers to investment and tarnish Nigeria’s global reputation.

Jonathan shared his views at the 2025 Haske Satumari Foundation Annual Colloquium in Abuja, which focused on promoting social development through diversity, equity, and inclusion.

He criticized the actions of key political actors, stressing that the decisions made by the executive, legislature, and judiciary are central to Nigeria’s international standing.

“No serious investor will risk their capital in a country where the judiciary is compromised—where government officials can influence court rulings,” Jonathan said.

He also referenced the political situation in Rivers State and shared an Indian proverb: “If someone is truly asleep, you can wake them up. But if someone is pretending to be asleep, waking them up becomes impossible.”

Jonathan emphasized that many political figures across the executive, legislature, and judiciary understand what needs to be done but choose to ignore it. “They are pretending to be asleep,” he remarked.

Highlighting the abuse of power across government institutions, Jonathan pointed out the far-reaching effects of governance decisions. “I always remind people that the actions of those in power affect everyone. Sometimes, people act as if their decisions have no personal consequences. But no one wants to invest in an environment where their assets are at risk,” he stated.

He also argued that Nigeria’s global image suffers from governance failures rather than solely criminal activities such as cyber fraud. “Many think our poor reputation is due only to fraudsters like the ‘Yahoo Boys’ or the 419 scam. While these activities contribute, they are not the only issue. If we want to build a country where our children and grandchildren can thrive, we must be willing to make sacrifices. The right decisions may come at a cost, but we must be prepared to pay it,” Jonathan added.

When asked about the ongoing debate over declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State, Jonathan chose not to comment directly. “There is often an expectation for former presidents to comment on the actions of current presidents. However, traditionally, former leaders rarely make public statements about the decisions of their successors, as it could create unnecessary tensions. This is a global practice—look at the United States, for example, where former presidents seldom comment on their successors’ governance,” he explained.

In his welcome address, Kudla Satumari, founder of the Haske Satumari Foundation, emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion for national development. “If you look at our society today, you’ll see how critical equity is for progress. Everyone faces some form of marginalization. This colloquium gives a voice to those who feel excluded, addressing various forms of marginalization,” Satumari said.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, represented by Shedrach Best, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Plateau State University, echoed similar sentiments, underscoring the role of good governance in fostering inclusion, equity, and diversity. “Plateau’s experience offers valuable lessons for Nigeria in managing diversity. We’ve had times when we failed to manage our diversity well, which led to conflict,” he shared.

Mutfwang invited Nigerians to visit Plateau State, highlighting its rich cultural and natural heritage. “While Nigeria’s minorities may not have oil, we have tin and other valuable minerals. Our diversity and favorable climate make Plateau a unique and welcoming destination,” he said.

Kenyan Senator, Crystal Asige, who delivered the keynote address, highlighted the systemic barriers preventing persons with disabilities (PWDs) from fully participating in politics, governance, and economic life.

“These challenges are not unique to one country; they are widespread globally, including in Nigeria and Kenya,” she noted. Despite the existence of legal frameworks supporting inclusion, Asige explained that enforcement remains weak, leaving PWDs marginalized in politics, employment, education, healthcare, and social protection.

“The political landscape remains impenetrable for us. Political parties often sideline disability issues, excluding them from broader discussions. The restrictive mindset that PWDs should only focus on disability-related issues hinders our ability to take leadership roles in other critical sectors,” she concluded.