Nigerian leaders viciously greedy, self-loving – Osofisan

Playwright Femi Osofisan has harshly criticized Nigeria's political leaders, labeling them as "viciously greedy, self-loving" and indifferent to the well-being of the people. Osofisan made his assessment during the 2026 Annual Reunion Public Lecture of the Government College Ibadan Old Boys Association in Lagos, where he delivered a lecture titled "From the Nobel to the Thalia Prize: GCI and the Making of Modern African Theatre."

The lecture was attended by notable alumni including Wole Soyinka, the recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature, and Wale Babalakin, president of GCIOBA. Osofisan argued that Nigeria's transition from military rule to civilian democracy had not produced the desired change in leadership, indicating that the issue lies not just with the political system, but with the character of the people in power.

He pointed out that successive governments in Nigeria have failed to fulfill promises and have been involved in corruption, regardless of changes in leadership. Osofisan urged Nigerians to rethink their approach to political change, emphasizing the need for new perspectives and strategies to address the persistent leadership problems.

He also criticized the tendency to celebrate individual heroes without considering whether they brought lasting improvements to society, advocating for collective action involving the people affected by injustice and poor governance. Turning to the role of literature and theatre, Osofisan noted that earlier African writers and playwrights have contributed to challenging perceptions of Africa's cultural and dramatic tradition.

He highlighted that the award of the Nobel Prize in Literature to Wole Soyinka in 1986 brought international recognition and prestige to Nigeria, inspiring other writers and artists. However, Osofisan pointed out that African playwrights face significant challenges in developing a dramatic tradition rooted in the continent's experiences, as they must transform oral traditions into written plays performed on conventional stages.