In a powerful and reflective interview, Major General Ijioma Nwokoro Ijioma (retd), a former Director of Military Operations in Nigeria’s Northeast, boldly stated that the country’s greatest problem is not insecurity, hunger, or poverty—but failed leadership.
General Ijioma, who led the Nigerian Army’s successful operations to reclaim territories seized by Boko Haram between 2014 and 2015—including the notorious Sambisa Forest—lamented the rot in Nigeria’s leadership structure. Despite his sterling service, he was unlawfully retired in 2016 and, even after a court ruled in his favor, was never reinstated. This, he says, is just one example of how institutions in Nigeria routinely disregard justice and reward mediocrity.
Speaking with deep conviction, he declared that Nigeria’s challenges are symptoms of a deeper disease: a lack of visionary, selfless leadership. He accused political leaders of serving ethnic and religious interests rather than the Nigerian people, and asserted that “there is no armed group in Nigeria more powerful than our security agencies”—a direct jab at the government’s failure to end insurgency. Quoting late General Sani Abacha, he said, “Any insurgency that lasts more than 24 hours has the hand of the government in it.”
General Ijioma didn’t stop there. He drew attention to the severe inequality in Nigeria, especially the poor treatment of soldiers and police officers who risk their lives daily. While lawmakers and politicians enjoy extravagant salaries and pensions, men and women in uniform are left with peanuts and no recognition. He called it “a crime against patriotism.”
Beyond security, he also blasted the silence and compromise of union leaders, civil society, and religious figures who, in his view, have become tools in the hands of corrupt elites. “Everyone has been bought or silenced,” he said.
For Ijioma, the solution lies in a total overhaul of leadership thinking, a return to national values, and a courageous, united citizenry. Otherwise, he warns, Nigeria will continue to drift in cycles of poverty, insecurity, and injustice—despite its enormous potential.
