Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), Pastor Tunde Bakare, has criticised Nigeria’s political leadership, describing many leaders as “termite kings” who are more interested in consuming the nation’s resources than building a better future for generations to come.
Bakare made the remarks on Sunday in Lagos during the public presentation of his three-volume book, Strategic Intervention in Governance, which compiles 104 speeches he delivered between 2008 and 2025 on governance, leadership, constitutional reform and national development.
Speaking at the event, the cleric urged Nigerian leaders to adopt what he called the “ant mentality”—a leadership style centred on teamwork, sacrifice, long-term planning and building lasting institutions.
“Nation-building requires unity of purpose over a sustained period of time. Is our democracy, as presently constituted, capable of delivering this unity of purpose over a sustained period? I think not,” Bakare said.
He argued that instead of pursuing divisive agendas, leaders should focus on building a constitutional foundation capable of guaranteeing sustainable national development.
“Instead of plucking the low-hanging fruit of secession, this is the time for our leaders and thinkers to answer a fundamental question: Will a constitutional foundation underpin a leadership structure capable of delivering unity of purpose over a sustained period?” he asked.
Using a powerful analogy, Bakare lamented that many public office holders behave like “termite kings looking for what to consume” instead of working selflessly to build the nation.
The former presidential aspirant also expressed concern over the state of Nigeria’s education sector, blaming years of poor investment and policy failures for its decline.
Reflecting on his own experience, he noted that although he received all his education in Nigeria, he was forced to educate his children abroad because of the deterioration of the country’s educational system.
“I received all my education—primary, secondary, university and law school—in Nigeria… But I had to educate my children overseas and pay heavily because education declined due to the lack of investment by successive governments. The collapse of education is the collapse of a nation,” he said.
Bakare stressed that while it is important to criticise government policies, Nigerians must also offer practical solutions to the country’s challenges.
According to him, Nigeria needs a new generation of leaders equipped with modern skills, innovation, integrity and the competence required to meet the demands of the 21st century.
He also called for greater investment in youth development, vocational education, entrepreneurship, technology and innovation, saying these sectors hold the key to unlocking Nigeria’s enormous human capital.
Addressing young Nigerians, Bakare urged them to take ownership of the country’s future, expressing confidence that the current generation has what it takes to rebuild Nigeria and restore hope.
Reviewing the books, Mr. Olabode Adekanye described the publication as a call for Nigerians to move beyond identifying problems and become active participants in nation-building.
Chairman of the occasion and former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, praised Bakare for consistently proposing practical solutions to Nigeria’s governance challenges.
“Like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Bakare offers solutions. The book is strategic, analytical and forward-looking,” Osoba said.
The event was attended by several prominent Nigerians, including University of Lagos Vice-Chancellor Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, human rights activist Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Senator Solomon Adeola, and Abia State First Lady, Mrs. Priscilla Orji.
