
By Ugochukwu Ugwuanyi,
Pardon the pessimism, but Nigeria’s redemption is not anywhere on the horizon. With what has become of critical national institutions, systems and standards, it wouldn't be unexpected to hear the question, "What else is new?" The new heights of tribalism and ethnic profiling are! These have become the slithering malaise undermining our nationhood and nation-building. They breed mutual suspicion and animosity among compatriots, thereby threatening national development and cohesion. The country is being denied credible leadership because bigots won’t mind an airhead or loafer at the commanding heights, provided he is from their region or not one of the outcasts. The leader then reciprocates the prejudice through nepotistic appointments and project execution. This is while serious-minded nations are putting square pegs in square holes and making progress at supersonic speed.
This calls to mind the recent case of a local government chairman who came under fire in cyberspace for commending a non-indigene’s stellar performance in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The trolling was so intense that the man had to publicly explain that his administration “purchased Jamb forms for hundreds of students who are residents, regardless of their ethnic affiliation or tribe. The onus is on us to appreciate the ones who have excelled.”