A renowned Islamic scholar and founder of Shafaudeen Islamic Organisation, Professor Sabit Ariyo Olagoke, has called for a fundamental overhaul of Nigeria’s leadership recruitment process, declaring that the nation’s democratic setbacks are largely traceable to its failure to properly scrutinise the background and character of political aspirants.
Olagoke made the call on Sunday while delivering a lecture at the 3rd Edition of the Annual Jagaban TV Ramadan Lecture 1447 AH (2026), held at the Jagaban TV Studio in the Baba Ijesha area of Oluwo Nla, Bashorun, Ibadan.
The lecture, themed “Encouraging Ethical Governance and Personal Accountability in Both Public and Private Sectors,” focused on “Integrity and Leadership: Lessons from the Prophets.”
Olagoke argued that democracy, though noble in theory, can collapse in societies where discipline, justice and moral restraint are weak.
“Socrates predicted that democracy can never work perfectly because it gives freedom to everybody without introducing the required discipline for the environment to be conducive,” he said.
“Our process of choosing leaders is faulty. We do not look at the background. We do not examine the personality traits of those who want to come into the arena of power. Until we revisit it, we will continue to miss it,” Olagoke declared.
He questioned why Nigerians fail to interrogate the formative years, behavioural history and moral disposition of aspirants before handing them enormous public responsibilities.
“Why is it that we do not look at how they behaved in secondary school or in university? Without examining personality traits and background properly, we continue to hand over leadership to individuals whose true character only emerges after they assume office,” he added.
According to him, Nigeria’s abundant natural resources should ordinarily place the country among the most prosperous nations, but mismanagement and lack of integrity have hindered progress.
Earlier In his address, the Founder and Executive Director of Jagaban Communications, Mr. Samuel Oluwaseun Adenitan, emphasized that the nation’s progress hinges on integrity, accountability, and strategic governance.
“Nigeria can rise. Nigeria can prosper. Nigeria can lead. But only through integrity, accountability, strategic leadership, and collective responsibility,” Adenitan said.
He advised that national security and foreign relations must always be guided by strategic diplomacy and national interest.
“Nigeria must engage global powers strategically and carefully, particularly in areas of security cooperation and crime prevention. While international alliances are important, our sovereignty and internal security must remain paramount,” he stated.
Adenitan also highlighted the need for reform in crime prevention and the electoral system, urging the adoption of digital and technologically advanced voting methods to ensure transparency and reduce manipulation.
“When we prioritize economic reforms, industrial development, youth empowerment, agricultural advancement, and local production, our currency will grow stronger, the economy will become competitive, and our people will prosper,” he said.
He further suggested that Nigeria’s multiparty system may require restructuring. While not opposed to democracy or political pluralism, he argued that a strong two-party system with clear ideology and policy focus may promote accountability, reduce fragmentation, and support effective governance.
