Former President Goodluck Jonathan has criticised the practice of selecting political leaders in Nigeria based on religion, ethnicity, language and other sectional considerations, warning that the country’s development will remain constrained unless competence and merit take priority.
Jonathan made the call on Saturday, November 14, 2026, while speaking at the maiden Herbert Macaulay Colloquium held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event, organised by the Macaulay Heritage Foundation in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, marked the 162nd anniversary of the birth of nationalist Herbert Macaulay. Jonathan chaired the gathering, which was themed “Nationalism and Nation Building”.
The former President said Nigeria’s political leadership recruitment process had continued to be influenced by religious, ethnic and linguistic identities, sometimes extending beyond the distinction between Christians and Muslims to differences among religious denominations.
He argued that such considerations could prevent qualified Nigerians from emerging as leaders, regardless of their ability and experience.
Jonathan urged the country to abandon what he described as outdated approaches to political recruitment and embrace a system that gives priority to competence and capacity.
He also called for comprehensive reforms of Nigeria’s democratic system, which he described as opaque and amorphous.
According to him, democracy must be strengthened through popular participation, respect for the rule of law and human rights, judicial independence, accountability, pluralism and a vibrant civil society.
Jonathan identified poor leadership, weak institutions, corruption, inconsistent policies, inadequate infrastructure, insecurity and excessive dependence on raw material exports as major challenges undermining national development.
On education, he stressed the need for functional learning and stronger investment in research-intensive universities capable of driving innovation and technological advancement.
Citing India, Singapore and South Korea, the former President said Nigeria could draw lessons from countries that have used education and investment in human capital to advance their economies.
He maintained that the country could not achieve meaningful development with weak educational institutions, urging the government to invest in talented Nigerians and establish world-class universities capable of competing internationally.
Jonathan also paid tribute to Herbert Macaulay and other founding nationalists, noting that their vision extended beyond the attainment of political independence.
He said they had envisaged a united country where citizens, irrespective of their ethnic, religious or social backgrounds, would enjoy equal rights, dignity and opportunities.
The former President said the most meaningful way to honour the sacrifices of the founding nationalists was to build a country that reflected the ideals for which they struggled.
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