To truly grasp the current situation in Nigeria, I made a conscious decision to steer clear of any Nigerian officials or make a selfish visit to government buildings during my entry and exit at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Nigeria. The revitalised operational framework at Murtala Muhammed Airport instills a refreshing sense of hope for a new Nigeria—indeed, a new Nigeria is possible!

I almost forgot to mention that my Nigerian passport had expired. To set forth on my journey to Nigeria, I needed to renew it. Upholding my principles, I bypassed racketeers and middlemen to acquire a fresh Nigerian passport while in the United States. Thankfully, the new hardworking Interior Minister, Olubunmi-Tunji Ọjo, and his team, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, is providing every Nigerian with an effortless way to visit or return to the homeland, Nigeria.

Every Nigerian and non-Nigerian alike can now utilise the Nigerian immigration portal for what I describe as a ‘simple interactive e-engagement,’ addressing all immigration needs: questions, concerns and comments without the hassle of physically visiting a Nigerian consulate office anywhere in the world.

My trip to the immigration office in Lagos was a revelation, reinforcing my faith in the shifting dynamics within Nigeria. My encounters while obtaining my National Identification Number (NIN) were surprisingly enlightening. Navigating the roads of Lagos left me feeling hopeful about the country’s new evolution.

The positive strides being made in the transportation sector are encouraging. My exhilarating business-class train journeys between Ibadan and Lagos rejuvenated my unwavering hope for a better Nigeria. It’s imperative that we all unite in our collective quest for Nigeria’s revival and sociopolitical betterment.

As my dear friend, Omoyele Sowore, gears up for a protest in Abuja advocating for Mr Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom, he should keep in mind the words “Et tu,Brute!” Those who cheer him on today may have been his fiercest unrepentant critics yesterday. If his contentious activism does not align with the interests of his adversaries, they may just as easily turn against him. Sowore needs to remain wary of Brutus and heed the lessons of Cassius, but the reality is that he cannot avoid Casca—the disgruntled voices of Nigeria’s populace, who embody the collective children of anger and frustration.

My recent return to Nigeria allowed me to assess the current climate with a clear perspective. While the security challenges remain recalcitrant and daunting, it’s clear that only a cynic would ignore the strategic and proactive measures being taken by Tinubu’s administration to tackle these persistent issues.

We must unite to rescue Nigeria from our self-inflicted dilemmas. My advice to you, Omoyele Sowore, is to proceed cautiously along this fragile road to recovery. The ongoing legal complexities surrounding Mr Nnamdi Kanu require a blend of patriotic wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.

The Tinubu administration must ensure that justice is served fairly, and that the principles of equity and fairness guide the resolution of Kanu’s contentious case. In any evolving society, no one should be above the law. If you do the crime, you must do the time unless the legal jurisprudence proves otherwise! We are each entitled to our perspectives or opinions—not to our own alternate realities, but to facts!

Whether we embrace it or not, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria is charting a positive course toward reclaiming its stature among the comity of nations. Only the insincere would dismiss the significant transformations underway in our country. Those who remain distant, criticising Tinubu’s administration, must return to Nigeria with open minds to witness the profound transformation and reforms taking shape.

If I were in Sowore’s shoes, I would thoughtfully peruse a chapter from Tinubu’s ‘The Book of Nigerians.’ This conceptual text hypothetically unveils the psyche of the average Nigerian before 2023 and their opportunistic mindset as we look ahead to 2027. The sobering truth today is that some youths in Nigeria seem unprepared for tomorrow, choosing to cling to the past to navigate the present rather than embracing the promise of what lies ahead for tomorrow.

In hindsight, I’ve repeatedly urged Sowore to adopt a more strategic mindset when engaging with Nigerian politics! His multi-faceted and recalcitrant approach to addressing the issues faced by Nigerian youth simply won’t thrive in our divided and complicated political landscape. While Sowore’s intentions are commendable, he often overlooks the necessary tactical nuances required to navigate our intricate and often contradictory political arena. Disrespecting others won’t earn their goodwill or support when you need it most. Wrong is wrong, and it can’t be sugar-coated!

Lately, rather than offering thoughtful critiques of Tinubu’s policies, the unruly Obidients and supporters of #ReleaseKanuNow have resorted to disparaging President Tinubu’s character. If Sowore were more strategic in his pursuit of national transformation, he would likely avoid the blunders we’ve witnessed in the past few months. In politics, opponents are human—they make mistakes.

Yet, the brazen Obidients and #ReleaseKanuNow movement have embraced a transactional approach, lacking any genuine strategy for transformation in our national discourse. They continue to insult and trivialise those who could potentially assist them in climbing toward future success and achieving their ambitious political goals.

Nigerians are keenly sensitive to the politics of emotion, and Sowore is well aware of the contradictions that permeate our political landscape. For him to advance his aspirations, he must find a way to reconcile with the reality around him. My reflections over the past day regarding Nigeria’s political climate have sparked both concern and cautious optimism. We are navigating a tenuous and rocky path to recovery under President Tinubu, and it’s disheartening that constructive criticism of our own has turned so hostile.

Sowore should be cautious not to fall into the traps set by the Obidients and other ethnic zealots and political distractors. The truth is a rare commodity, accessible only to those truly seeking it. It pains me to see our most brilliant minds undermined by one another. We find ourselves in a state of chaos in Nigeria.

The vitriolic attitudes of many young Nigerians are outrageous and insincere. They tend to attack the virtues of their most capable peers while glorifying the nihilists who exemplify the darker facets of our system. The challenge of progressing as a 21st-century democracy feels overwhelming and disheartening.

We must ignite our collective imagination for what’s possible. President Tinubu must stay visionary and committed, using his unique wit and gifted insults to bring about real change in Nigeria. Our path to recovery must be steadfast and unyielding.

The mischief of the Nigerian youth on social media poses a significant barrier to national revival. It’s essential for the younger generation to engage in collective introspection, casting aside unproductive impulses regarding matters of national importance.

The children of anger are stuck in a futile race toward tomorrow, and their current actions make that tomorrow seem distant! While we all aspire for collective recovery and a brighter future, the unruly Obidients and others fueled by anger seem intent on navigating misguided paths that threaten to derail our shared vision for a better nation!
Balogun wrote from Arizona State, USA.