Political Panorama Issue No 26
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| Professor Bola Akinterinwa |
On a recent Channels Television programme, former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), and now, an International Relations Professor Emeritus at the Achievers University, Owo. Professor Bola Akinterinwa, a senior colleague at the same department and university and a co-author, declared boldly that “Donald Trump is not in any way better than Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria.” He went further to suggest that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is “as intelligent, if not more intelligent” than the American president.
On
the surface, this assertion resonates with patriotic fervour. It defends
Nigeria’s leader on the global stage and reassures domestic supporters that our president is no less capable than his Western counterparts. But, when subjected to critical examination, the statement raises more questions than answers.
The Problem with “Better”
Professor
Akinterinwa’s choice of words is where the cracks begin to show. The phrase
“better” was never defined. Better in what sense? Economic management?
Security? Rule of law? International diplomacy? Leadership is not a personality
contest. It is judged by measurable outcomes such as jobs, stability, economic growth,
human rights, and global influence. Without clarifying the yardstick, such
sweeping declarations collapse into rhetoric.
Nigeria and the U.S.: Apples vs Oranges
A
major flaw in Professor Akinterinwa’s analysis claimed to be done contextually, lies in equating the Nigerian
presidency with the American's. The United States sits atop a $30 trillion
economy and wields unmatched global influence. Nigeria, by contrast, operates
within a GDP just crossing the hundreds of billions. To argue that the leaders
of both nations stand shoulder-to-shoulder without acknowledging the vast
difference in resources and state capacity is to compare apples with oranges.
Selective Evidence and Domestic
Realities
Professor Akinterinwa
praised Tinubu’s caution and strategic restraint, particularly in avoiding
unnecessary appearances at the United Nations General Assembly, and more importantly, to avoid unexpected embarrassment from Trump. That is a fair
observation. A leader may indeed choose diplomacy over optics.
But
focusing only on Tinubu’s “strategic caution” while ignoring the painful
domestic realities is selective. Nigerians continue to battle spiraling
inflation, biting poverty, and security threats ranging from terrorism, perennial herders-farmers clash, religious crises to mass
kidnappings. Truly the economy showed a rebound in Q2 of 2025 with over 4%
growth, but the benefits are not trickling down to ordinary Nigerians who are grappling with escalated food prices and naira depreciation. Leadership should not be
measured only by cautious diplomacy but also by the lived experiences of
citizens.
Traits versus Outcomes
It
is one thing to describe a leader as “more intelligent” or “more cautious.” But, with due respect, governance is not a debate club. Intelligence must translate into tangible
improvements in welfare, stability, and governance. Here again, Professor Akinterinwa’s
argument overemphasises personal traits while underplaying concrete outcomes.
Tactical versus Global Leadership
Avoiding
Trump at the UNGA might be tactically shrewd. But, being tactically prudent at
an event is not equivalent to global leadership capacity. Donald Trump, for all
his controversies, presided over an economy that remained the largest and most
influential in the world, with a military and diplomatic weight Nigeria cannot
match. Tinubu, by contrast, governs within the limits of a developing state
beset by deep institutional weaknesses, in particular, corruption, lack of accountability and insecurity.
A Fairer Comparison
A
rigorous contextual comparison should focus on the following indicators.
Macroeconomy:
Nigeria’s growth is recovering, but inflation remains painfully high; America’s
economy is vastly larger and more stable.
Security & Rights:
Nigeria is still plagued by insurgency, banditry, and human-rights concerns.
Governance:
Questions of institutional strength, corruption, and accountability remain
acute in Nigeria.
Global Reach:
The United States sets the global agenda while Nigeria struggles for
recognition beyond Africa.
On
these grounds, the argument that “Trump is not in any way better than Tinubu”
cannot stand any scientific test, or at best, unchallenged.
Closing Remarks
Professor
Akinterinwa’s claim plays well to the patriotic gallery. It shields the Nigerian
president from criticism and stirs patriotic pride. But political analysis must
go beyond rhetoric. A comparison between Donald Trump and Bola Tinubu demands
evidence, clear benchmarks, and recognition of the enormous asymmetry between
Nigeria and the United States. Anything less is not analysis but sentiment
wrapped in scholarship.
In
the cold light of facts, the claim that Trump is “not in any way better” than
Tinubu simply does not hold water.
Political Panorama Verdict
In
politics, patriotism is not analysis. Trump and Tinubu lead nations of vastly
unequal weight. Tinubu may be strategic, but outcomes, not rhetoric, define
leadership. On the evidence, Professor Akinterinwa’s claim does not stand.
Until October 1st , this is Political Panorama with Ola Olateju - Voice of the Coalition. Voice of the People.
1 Comments
This is a good speech by our Prof. And truly I supported his political ambitious because they care and sincere.
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