Former Special Adviser on Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof. Sylvester Monye, has stressed that governing Nigeria is a serious and complex responsibility that requires competence, experience, and stability.
Speaking during a recent engagement, Monye described the task of managing Nigeria as “not a trivial or unserious assignment,” warning that the country risks further decline if leadership is not handled with the required capacity and depth.
According to him, Nigerians must prioritize leaders who are mentally stable, physically fit, knowledgeable, and experienced enough to navigate the nation through its current socio-economic and political challenges.
Monye argued that leadership at the federal level goes beyond the scope of state governance, noting that governors operate with limited enforcement powers and often rely on influence rather than decisive authority. He emphasized that national leadership demands strong negotiation skills and a deep understanding of complex governance structures.
Throwing his weight behind former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri of Adamawa, Monye stated that Atiku possesses the necessary experience and exposure required to effectively lead the country.
He also took a swipe at the current administration, suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is still navigating governance through a “trial and error” approach. While acknowledging claims by supporters that Tinubu is a “listening president,” Monye argued that his background as a former governor may not have fully prepared him for the complexities of managing a diverse and expansive nation like Nigeria.
