Africa
Are Nigerians Guinea Pigs In The Hands Of Leaders?, by Isaac Asabor

Since Nigeria gained its independence in 1960, the nation has witnessed a parade of leaders coming one after another, each taking turns at the helm of affairs. These leaders, whether elected or imposed, often arrive with grand promises of change, development, and prosperity. Yet, six decades later, Nigerians continue to grapple with the same, if not worse, challenges of poverty, insecurity, unemployment, decaying infrastructure, and lack of basic amenities. This raises an important question: Are Nigerians merely been used as guinea pigs in the hands of their leaders?
Before delving into this metaphor, it is essential to understand what it means to be a “guinea pig.” In the world of science and research, guinea pigs are small rodents that have been widely used in laboratory experiments for centuries. Scientists use them to test new drugs, treatments, and procedures before they are deemed safe for humans. Guinea pigs, thus, are synonymous with subjects used in experiments where outcomes are uncertain, sometimes leading to suffering or even death.
In the context of Nigeria, the analogy suggests that Nigerians have been repeatedly subjected to unproven, haphazard governance experiments by their leaders. Each time a new leader takes over, they roll out policies and strategies that often end up failing, leaving the citizens worse off than before. Are Nigerians, then, merely guinea pigs in the hands of leaders who experiment with the nation’s future, only to abandon their failed projects when they leave office?
From the dawn of independence in 1960, Nigeria had high hopes of becoming a beacon of progress and prosperity in Africa. The first prime minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and President Nnamdi Azikiwe, the revered nationalist, took the reins of a new nation filled with optimism. However, their leadership was short-lived as the military seized power in a coup in 1966, marking the beginning of a tumultuous era characterized by a series of military juntas.
General Yakubu Gowon, who came to power after the coup, presided over the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), a devastating conflict that resulted in the deaths of over a million people. While his regime brought relative peace post-war, it also saw economic mismanagement and corruption, leaving the country grappling with the effects of a squandered oil boom.
The pattern continued with successive military rulers like Generals Murtala Mohammed, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, and Sani Abacha, who all came into power with promises to fix the nation but left behind trails of unfulfilled promises, economic decline, and human rights abuses. During these years, Nigerians were hopeful that each new regime would be different, only to find themselves subjected to another round of “experiments” that left the country no better off.
When democracy was restored in 1999, there was renewed hope that the cycle of failed leadership experiments would come to an end. Olusegun Obasanjo, who returned as a civilian president, initiated several economic reforms, privatization policies, and anti-corruption measures. Yet, corruption remained rampant, and his government was criticized for its authoritarian tendencies and failure to significantly improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Subsequent presidents, including Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari, all came to power with their unique visions for change. Each administration was greeted with collective sighs of relief from the masses, believing that, at last, a true leader had emerged. However, the familiar pattern of policy failures, unfulfilled promises, and worsening economic conditions continued to plague the nation.
In 2023, Nigerians were once again filled with hope as Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed the presidency. During his campaign, Tinubu literally promised Nigerians heaven on earth, a transformation that would see the nation blossom into an economic powerhouse with jobs, prosperity, and security for all. However, barely a year into his tenure, the reality on the ground has become a stark contrast to those lofty promises.
The removal of fuel subsidies, a policy Tinubu’s administration pushed as a necessary step to revive the economy, has instead driven the cost of living through the roof. The price of basic goods, transportation, and essential services has skyrocketed, pushing more Nigerians into poverty. It feels as though, instead of delivering the promised heaven on earth, Tinubu has inadvertently made Nigerians experience something akin to living in hell.
Many citizens now lament that life under the current administration is more difficult than ever. From the soaring cost of fuel and food to the rising rates of unemployment and insecurity, Nigerians are left wondering whether the president’s promises were mere rhetoric designed to win votes. It is as if the country is yet again caught in another leadership experiment where citizens are forced to bear the brunt of ill-conceived policies.
When leaders promise to change the fortunes of the nation but end up doing the exact opposite, one cannot help but feel that the citizens are being used as test subjects. Policies like the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) under Babangida in the late 1980s, fuel subsidy removals, and currency devaluation experiments have only worsened the living conditions of the average Nigerian.
Consider the economic shock from the abrupt removal of subsidies and the naira’s free-fall under the Tinubu administration. While these policies are touted as necessary for economic recovery, the immediate impact has been devastating. The cost of essentials has soared beyond the reach of many Nigerians, leading to despair and despondency across the nation. Each leader arrives with new theories and policies, much like scientists tinkering with their guinea pigs to see which formula works.
For over six decades, Nigerians have been promised a better life, yet they continue to bear the brunt of failed governance experiments. From the decrepit state of infrastructure, poor healthcare services, and failing educational systems, to the lack of electricity and potable water, the ordinary citizen is left to fend for themselves.
It is not uncommon to hear stories of graduates who, after years of rigorous study, find themselves jobless, resorting to menial jobs or even crime just to survive. The nation’s youth, once filled with hope and energy, are increasingly disillusioned. Many have taken to seeking greener pastures abroad, leading to a massive brain drain that only worsens the nation’s prospects.
If Nigeria is to break free from this cycle of leadership failures, there is a pressing need for a new breed of leaders, those who understand that governance is not an experiment but a sacred trust placed in their hands by the people. Leadership must be driven by a genuine desire to serve, not to test unproven theories on an already struggling populace.
To achieve this, there must be a shift in how leaders are chosen. The era of electing leaders based on ethnicity, religion, or patronage networks must end. Instead, Nigerians must demand leaders who are competent, compassionate, and committed to the collective good. The people must also hold their leaders accountable, demanding transparency, and pushing for reforms that put the nation on the path to sustainable development.
The question remains: are Nigerians willing to continue being used as guinea pigs in the hands of their leaders, or will they rise to demand better governance? The power to change Nigeria’s story lies in the hands of the people. As elections come and go, and new leaders take the reins, it is up to Nigerians to ensure that they are no longer subjects in a grand experiment, but active participants in shaping their future.
After all, how many more years of leadership experiments can a nation endure before it reaches a breaking point? It is time for Nigerians to take a stand, to demand more, and to reject any leader who sees them as mere test subjects in their quest for power.
The nation deserves leaders who do not treat their citizens as guinea pigs but as partners in the journey to progress.