Senior pastor and televangelist, Matthew Ashimolowo, has expressed confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying he believes the Nigerian leader is committed to fixing the country but warned that leadership alone cannot solve the nation’s deep-rooted challenges.
Speaking in a viral video circulating on social media, the 73-year-old cleric argued that Nigeria’s problems stem not only from leadership issues but also from systemic failures that have persisted for decades.
Ashimolowo said he believes Tinubu has good intentions and understands the country’s challenges but stressed that repairing Nigeria requires more than changes at the top.
“I believe we have a president who is ready to fix this nation. I believe he’s seen it all and I believe he is good intended. The system is broken so you can’t fix the presidency, the leadership and leave the system.”
Focus should be on institutions, not individuals
The pastor noted that Nigerians have historically placed too much emphasis on finding the right leaders while paying less attention to building strong institutions and systems.
Drawing comparisons with the United States, he argued that the strength of established systems allows governments to function effectively regardless of who occupies the presidency.
“In my opinion, I think we have a good head but the head is not enough. So leadership and system failure and in my opinion, therefore, as a 73-year-old man who has seen this nation and have lived in another economy for 41 years, I think we have focused too much on the people to lead and not the system to run.”
Referencing former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, Ashimolowo said strong institutions ensure that no single individual is bigger than the system.
“They have built a system that is bigger than the president and even the Supreme Court can say no to the president.”
Calls for tougher action against corruption
The cleric also urged authorities to take decisive action against corruption at every level of society, insisting that wrongdoing should be exposed and prosecuted without exception.
