When a nation rewards loyalty over competence and charisma over character, it signs a pact with instability. Until we stop enthroning novices in leadership, we will continue to repeat the same costly mistakes that have crippled our national growth.
This reflection was inspired by an article published this morning by my friend, Kunle Kareem, in his online *Springstar Magazine*. Kunle Kareem is a journalist of great repute who has consistently contributed to Nigeria’s social and political discourse. The piece in question — “The Throne, The Office, The Unfinished: Why Nigeria Needs Finishing Schools for Its Leaders” — was authored by Olaoluwa Mimiola, an award-winning journalist and public relations expert.
Mimiola’s argument was profound: if Nigeria would adopt deliberate processes for grooming its leaders, much of our national decay could be reversed. But our problem as a people has never been a lack of ideas; it is the lack of implementation. We are a nation of hearers, not doers — ever learning, rarely acting. Like the man in Scripture who looks into a mirror and forgets his reflection, we admire truth but seldom practice it.
*The Root of the Decline:*
Our national failure began the day we started elevating the ungroomed into positions of authority. The untested became administrators at every level — from the home and school to the church, the mosque, the palace, and the government. Leadership became an entitlement, not an earned responsibility.
Even the sacred institution of marriage has suffered. Boys now marry before they become men; children are raising children. Many who attend Parent-Teacher Association meetings are grandparents standing in for the real parents — because the actual parents are still growing up.
When the family fails, the entire society falters. Every teacher, pastor, imam, civil servant, politician, and journalist comes from the family. The rot in government began in the home.
*The Scriptural Caution:*
The Bible warns:
> “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.”
— 1 Timothy 3:6 (KJV)
The mentor advice to his mentee or protege was clear — do not put a novice in charge, because inexperience breeds pride and pride leads to destruction. Though this was written about church leadership, the principle is universal. Leadership in any sphere requires maturity, experience, and humility.
*When We Enthrone Novices:*
Whenever a society hands power to the inexperienced, it signs an agreement with instability. Power in the hands of a novice is like giving a bulldozer to a child — disaster is certain. Pride, recklessness, and misjudgment soon follow, often ending in collapse.
A novice sees leadership as a stage for performance.
A true leader sees it as an altar of sacrifice.
A novice hungers for recognition; a true leader hungers for results.
A novice boasts in titles; a true leader bears the weight of responsibility.
Before anyone is entrusted with the destiny of others, they must first be tested by time, trained by challenges, and tempered by service.
*Leadership Earned, Not Inherited:*
Unlike what we see in Nigeria and many parts of Africa, leadership is not conferred by money, certificates, family names, or political loyalty. It is earned through character and competence. A nation that rewards merit over mediocrity, and competence over connection, will always rise above corruption and chaos.
Just as the Church must not hastily ordain a new convert, the State must not enthrone untested individuals simply because they are loyal, loud, or popular. Doing so is gambling with destiny. And history has shown that every time novices are crowned, nations are wounded.
*The Call for Wisdom:*
It is time to return to wisdom. We must stop mistaking ambition for capacity and charisma for character. Leadership is not a hobby; it is a sacred trust that demands maturity, discipline, and service.
If we truly desire national transformation, we must stop elevating unprepared people to positions of authority. No home, organisation, or nation can rise above the quality of its leadership. Until we learn to test, train, and trust only the prepared, we will continue to drift between misplaced hopes and repeated disappointments.
Leadership is too sacred to be left in the hands of the unprepared. That is where we got it wrong — and that is where we must begin to get it right.
Pst. Favour Adéwọyin, National Secretary,
Ẹgbẹ́ Àjọṣepọ̀ Fún Ìtẹ́síwájú Gbogbo Wa
