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Urging Nigeria’s Political Class to Stop Seeing Public Opinion as an Attack

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By Isaac Asabor

One of the greatest misconceptions among many Nigerian politicians is the belief that every critical opinion is an act of hostility. Too often, constructive criticism is dismissed as political opposition, while opinion writers are branded as enemies of the government.

This mindset is not only dangerous; it is profoundly undemocratic.

In every thriving democracy, public opinion is not a weapon aimed at the government. It is a compass designed to keep the government on course. Imagine a Nigeria where citizens suddenly stopped expressing their views. Newspapers would carry no critical editorials.

Columnists would avoid interrogating government policies. Civil society would remain silent. Citizens would simply endure whatever decisions political leaders imposed. Such a country might still conduct elections every four years, but it would no longer be practicing democracy in its true sense. It would merely be managing political power without public participation.

Democracy does not begin and end with voting. It survives through continuous dialogue between the governed and those who govern. Opinion articles, editorials and public commentary form one of the strongest bridges connecting the people with their leaders.

Yet, instead of embracing this democratic culture, many Nigerian politicians have become increasingly intolerant of dissent. A newspaper column exposing policy failures is often interpreted as an attempt to embarrass the government. An opinion article questioning the cost of governance is dismissed as opposition propaganda. A journalist highlighting policy inconsistencies is accused of pursuing a hidden agenda. This attitude must change.

Political office is a public trust. Those who seek power must also be willing to accept public scrutiny. Democracy was never designed to provide leaders with applause alone. It also guarantees citizens the right to question, criticize and demand better governance.

For the sake of clarity, opinion articles are not acts of rebellion. They are instruments of accountability. When journalists, academics, lawyers or concerned citizens analyze government policies, they are not merely expressing personal frustrations. They are helping leaders identify policy blind spots, anticipate unintended consequences and correct mistakes before they become national crises. Wise governments understand this.

Indeed, some of the world’s most successful democracies became stronger not because their leaders silenced criticism but because they listened to it. Constructive criticism serves as an early warning system. It alerts governments to public dissatisfaction long before frustration boils over into protests or civil unrest.

Nigeria’s democratic history offers several examples. Public debates have influenced conversations around electoral reforms, constitutional amendments, police reform, subsidy removal, anti-corruption efforts, insecurity, local government autonomy, education, healthcare and states of the roads across the country. Many of these national conversations gained momentum because opinion writers consistently raised uncomfortable but necessary questions.

Not only that, ideas often shape policy long before legislation is enacted. Lawmakers do not legislate in isolation. They constantly observe public sentiment, especially when it is articulated logically and consistently. Therefore, a compelling opinion article can expose gaps in existing laws, draw attention to neglected communities and stimulate reforms that improve governance.

It is against the backdrop of the foregoing view that politicians should welcome, rather than fear, informed public commentary. Unfortunately, some public office holders mistake criticism for disrespect. They surround themselves with praise singers who tell them only what they want to hear. Such an environment is dangerous because it creates an illusion of success even when governance is failing.

History teaches that governments rarely collapse because they were criticized too much. They falter because they stopped listening.

No leader, however experienced or well-intentioned, possesses a monopoly of wisdom. Governance benefits immensely when citizens contribute ideas, challenge assumptions and offer alternative perspectives.

Of course, not every opinion deserves equal respect. Public discourse should be guided by facts, evidence and responsible journalism rather than misinformation, insults or deliberate falsehoods. Freedom of expression carries corresponding responsibilities.

However, politicians must resist the temptation to dismiss every uncomfortable opinion as fake news, opposition politics or character assassination. Such labels weaken democratic institutions and discourage citizens from participating in national development.

The Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression because the framers understood a timeless truth: societies progress when citizens are free to speak without fear.

A government may possess the legal authority to make decisions, but it cannot command public confidence through intimidation or intolerance. Trust is earned by listening, responding and, when necessary, adjusting policies in line with legitimate public concerns.

The responsibility also extends to citizens and the media. Opinion writing should never become an avenue for personal vendettas, ethnic prejudice or political blackmail. Credible commentary must be factual, balanced and motivated by the public interest. Nevertheless, politicians should remember that criticism is not the opposite of patriotism. More often than not, it is an expression of patriotism.

The citizen who writes an article highlighting insecurity, unemployment, inflation or poor infrastructure is not necessarily attacking the government. More often, such a person is urging those in authority to fulfil the promises upon which they were elected. So, Nigeria needs leaders who can distinguish between hostility and honest feedback.

The greatest danger to any government is not criticism. It is silence. Silence allows bad policies to flourish unchallenged. Silence emboldens incompetence. Silence creates the false impression that everything is working until reality delivers a painful correction.

Our political leaders must therefore stop treating every critical opinion as a declaration of war. They should see thoughtful public commentary for what it truly is: an indispensable partner in democratic governance.

The strongest democracies are not those that silence critics. They are those where leaders have the confidence to listen, the humility to learn and the courage to improve.

For Nigeria to deepen its democracy, politicians must stop seeing public opinion as an attack. They must begin to see it as one of the nation’s most valuable democratic assets.

Education

JAMB Breaks New Ground, Allows Home Upload of O’Level Results

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Candidates seeking admission into Nigerian tertiary institutions can now upload and verify their O’Level results from the comfort of their homes, following a new initiative by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

Under the new arrangement, candidates will no longer need to visit Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres solely to upload their Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) results, as JAMB will verify the results directly with the examination bodies, beginning with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).

In a statement on Monday in Abuja, JAMB’s Acting Director, Public Affairs and Protocol, Dr.

Fabian Benjamin, said the Board would continue to deploy technology and collaborate with examination and government agencies to simplify its services and make them more accessible to candidates.

According to him, the initiative was part of its renewed commitment to making its services “easier, faster, safer and more convenient” for candidates.

He said the integration of its e-Facility platform with examination bodies would enable candidates’ results to be verified against the records of the issuing bodies before being downloaded into their profiles.

The new system is also expected to address problems associated with manual O’Level result uploads, including misplaced or mixed-up paper results, presentation of fraudulent or unverified certificates and errors in the manual entry of subjects and grades.

The examination body said the initiative would particularly ease pressure on CBT centres during periods of high patronage and help reduce the effect of network challenges and long queues.

The statement reads: “Consequently, candidates can now upload their O’Level results from the comfort of their homes, while the Board undertakes the verification of such results directly with the issuing examination bodies.

“The initiative is part of the Board’s renewed commitment to making services easier, faster, safer and more convenient for candidates. By using technology to reduce unnecessary visits to CBT centres, queues and manual processes, JAMB is putting candidate ease of service delivery at the centre of its operations.

“The new arrangement also addresses challenges associated with manual O’Level result uploads, including misplaced or mixed-up paper results, presentation of unverified or fraudulent results, and errors in the manual entry of subjects and grades. Through the integration of JAMB’s eFacility platform with examination bodies, results can now be verified directly against the examination body’s records before being downloaded into the candidate’s profile.”

To use the new service, candidates are required to visit its website, enter their National Identification Number (NIN) and select the number of examination sittings and relevant examination body or bodies.

After providing their email address and GSM number, candidates are required to pay for the verification using a debit card or bank transfer before entering their examination number, examination series and examination year.

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NEWS

Tinubu Mourns Ogogo, Extols His Creative Legacy

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President Bola Tinubu has condoled with the family, friends and colleagues of veteran Nollywood actor, filmmaker and screenwriter Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, who died after decades in acting.

Tinubu described the late actor as a distinguished artiste whose decades-long career contributed significantly to the growth of Yoruba-language theatre and Nigerian cinema, particularly through memorable performances.

The President’s condolence message is contained in a statement issued by his Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday in Abuja.

Tinubu said Ogogo’s body of work would remain an important part of Nigeria’s cultural history, while his mentorship of younger artistes further strengthened his enduring legacy in Nollywood.

He said that through his distinctive acting style, powerful screen presence and dedication to his craft, Ogogo entertained generations while promoting Yoruba culture and Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage.

“Alhaji Taiwo Hassan was a gifted artiste who used his talent to tell Nigerian stories, preserve our cultural heritage and entertain audiences at home and abroad.

“His passing is a great loss to his family, the Yoruba film industry, Nollywood and the entire Nigerian creative community.

“On behalf of the Federal Government, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, friends and millions of admirers,” Tinubu said.

The President urged members of the creative industry and Nigerians to honour Ogogo’s memory by preserving and building on the cultural values and artistic traditions to which he devoted himself.

Tinubu also prayed for the peaceful repose of the late actor’s soul and strength for his family and loved ones, describing his death as an irreparable loss to those closest to him.

“I pray that Almighty Allah will grant him eternal rest and give his loved ones the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” Tinubu said.

Ogogo worked as a mechanic with the Ogun State Water Corporation for about 13 years before gaining prominence in acting and becoming a notable figure in Yoruba cinema.

He began acting in 1981 while combining the profession with his mechanic job, eventually leaving the employment in 1994 to pursue acting as a full-time career.

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NEWS

Nigeria Upgrading its Digital, Intelligence-led Border Management System — NIS

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Nigeria is strengthening its border management architecture through digital technology, biometric identity systems, intelligence sharing and stronger collaboration with border communities.

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap, made this known at the African Borderlands Research Network (ABORNE) 2026 conference on Monday in Lagos.

She said the transformation was necessary as changing migration patterns, regional integration, cross-border economic activities and emerging security threats continue to reshape Africa’s borderlands.

The conference, with theme: “The Connected Borderlands: Socio-Cultural Integration and the Centrality of Policy, Research, and Security,” brought together scholars, policymakers, practitioners and development partners.

The stakeholders examined the changing nature of border management across Africa.

According to Nandap, borders should no longer be viewed merely as geographical lines separating sovereign states, but as dynamic spaces where families, communities and cultures interact and where legitimate trade and movement take place.

She said the challenge for governments was to keep these spaces secure while facilitating lawful mobility, strengthening regional cooperation and preserving the socio-cultural and economic relationships that sustain border communities.

She noted that the nature of border security had also evolved, with threats such as human trafficking, migrant smuggling, identity fraud, organised crime, terrorism and cyber-enabled crimes increasingly operating across national boundaries.

The NIS boss said that the service was therefore combining the experience and professional judgment of its officers with technology, intelligence and stronger institutional cooperation to respond to emerging threats.

She outlined Nigeria’s progression in modern border management, recalling that the country became the first African nation to introduce the electronic passport in 2007.

She said Nigeria had subsequently introduced an enhanced e-Passport with stronger security and biometric features, while automating passport applications, payment systems, processing and identity verification.

According to her, the centralisation of passport personalisation has also improved the integrity and efficiency of passport production.

She further said Nigeria’s participation in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Public Key Directory (ICAO PKD) was strengthening international confidence in the authentication of Nigerian electronic passports.

She noted that contactless biometric passport services were making passport processes more accessible to Nigerians living abroad while maintaining required security standards.

The comptroller-general also highlighted the deployment of automated border control systems, including e-gates, at Nigeria’s international airports.

He said the systems were transforming passenger processing by combining biometric identity verification with faster, more efficient and secure border procedures.

These measures, she said, are being complemented by investments in surveillance systems, command and control capabilities, communications infrastructure, and integrated border and data platforms covering Nigeria’s air, land and maritime borders.

She stressed, however, that the investments were not about technology for its own sake.

The NIS boss also emphasised the continued importance of the human element in border management, saying technology could not replace professionalism, experience, judgment and integrity.

She called for greater involvement of border communities, describing them as strategic partners whose local knowledge could contribute significantly to effective border management.

The Chairman of ABORNE, Prof. Paul Nugent said emerging health threats such as Ebola, COVID-19 and regional insurgencies routinely placed borders at the center of political and security interventions.

He said that these often lead to prolonged closures.

Nugent said that bridging academia and policy, ABORNE aimed to move beyond isolated academic debate by actively engaging border enforcement agencies, policymakers, and field practitioners.

He said that in reframing African borderlands, rather than viewing borders purely through the lens of instability or poor reputation, ABORNE scholars emphasise borderlands as vibrant hubs of trade, urban innovation, and cultural creativity.

Prof. Anthony Asiwaju, a former Director of the Centre for African Regional Integration and Border Studies, commended the ABORNE conference.

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