posted 29th May 2025
A Critical Review of Tinubu’s Two Years: Corruption, Nepotism, and Governance Failures
29 May 2025
President Bola Tinubu’s two-year presidency, which began on 29 May 2023, has been mired in controversy, with allegations of corruption, nepotism, and unconstitutional overreach casting a long shadow over his administration. From budget manipulations to a questionable academic record, ethnic bias in appointments, and fruitless foreign trips, Tinubu’s tenure has sparked widespread criticism. This article dissects these issues, highlighting systemic failures and their impact on Nigeria’s governance and social fabric.
Corruption remains a defining feature of Tinubu’s regime, with budget padding scandals undermining public trust. In 2024, the National Assembly was embroiled in controversy over allegations of inserting unauthorised projects worth billions of naira into the national budget. Senators and representatives were accused of inflating constituency projects, with some estimates suggesting over ₦500 billion in padded funds. These revelations, widely discussed on social media platform X, prompted calls for investigations, but no significant prosecutions have followed, raising questions about the administration’s commitment to transparency.
The Humanitarian Affairs Ministry scandal further exposed systemic rot. In January 2024, Tinubu suspended Minister Betta Edu after she authorised the transfer of ₦585.2 million into a private bank account of a civil servant, violating Nigeria’s Financial Regulations 2009, which prohibits public funds from being paid into private accounts. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was tasked with investigating, but progress remains opaque. A committee set up to probe the scandal made recommendations, including stricter oversight of ministry funds, but these have not been publicly implemented. Edu’s whereabouts are unclear, with reports suggesting she has been sidelined but not prosecuted, fuelling accusations of selective justice. Posts on X have decried the lack of accountability, with users questioning why Edu has not faced trial despite the gravity of the allegations.
Tinubu’s health has been a persistent concern, with frequent medical trips abroad raising doubts about his capacity to govern. In 2024 alone, he made multiple unpublicised visits to London and France, reportedly for medical treatment, prompting speculation about chronic ailments. Critics argue that his frail appearance and occasional public stumbles undermine confidence in his leadership, especially in a country grappling with economic and security crises. The lack of transparency about his health—contrasting with constitutional requirements for leaders to be physically fit—has fuelled demands for clarity, with X users sarcastically dubbing him “Nigeria’s part-time president.”
Tinubu’s presidency began under a cloud of suspicion due to the Chicago certificate scandal. Allegations surfaced during the 2023 election campaign that Tinubu submitted a forged certificate from Chicago State University to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Court documents and university records confirmed discrepancies in his academic claims, but Nigeria’s Supreme Court dismissed challenges to his eligibility, citing technicalities. The controversy persists, with opposition figures and civil society groups arguing that Tinubu’s presidency lacks moral legitimacy. On X, hashtags like TinubuCertificate continue to trend, reflecting public distrust in the electoral process and judicial system.
Tinubu’s appointments have drawn fierce criticism for ethnic bias, with accusations of “Yorubanisation” dominating public discourse. Key positions, including the heads of the Central Bank, NNPC, and several ministries, are held by individuals from the Yoruba ethnic group, Tinubu’s base. Historian Tijjani Naniya noted that this level of ethnic concentration in appointments is unprecedented, risking national unity in Nigeria’s diverse society. The appointment of Bayo Ojulari as NNPC head in 2024 intensified these concerns, with critics pointing to a pattern of favouritism.
The South-East region, predominantly Igbo, has been notably marginalised. Despite its economic contributions, the region holds fewer than 5% of senior federal appointments, compared to over 40% for the South-West. This disparity has deepened feelings of exclusion, with South-East leaders accusing Tinubu of perpetuating historical inequities. Protests in Enugu and Anambra in 2024 highlighted these grievances, but the administration has offered no concrete response, further alienating the region.
Tinubu’s administration has been accused of unconstitutional actions, most notably the attempt to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State in 2024. The move, ostensibly to address political tensions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and pro-Wike factions, was widely seen as an attempt to consolidate federal control over the oil-rich state. Legal experts argued that the declaration lacked constitutional grounds, as Rivers State faced no existential threat justifying such a measure. The declaration has been described as “dictatorial,” drawing parallels to military-era overreach.
Tinubu’s frequent international trips have also drawn scrutiny, with critics labelling them extravagant and unproductive. In 2024, he undertook over 15 foreign visits, including to the UK, France, and the US, costing an estimated ₦20 billion. Many of these trips, billed as investment drives, yielded no tangible outcomes, with promised foreign direct investments failing to materialise. For instance, a much-publicised trip to Qatar in March 2024 resulted in no signed agreements, despite claims of securing $10 billion in deals. Critics argue that these travels, often accompanied by large entourages, drain Nigeria’s scarce resources while domestic issues like insecurity and poverty fester. X posts have mocked Tinubu’s “tourist presidency,” contrasting his globe-trotting with Nigeria’s crumbling infrastructure.
Tinubu’s two years have been defined by unfulfilled promises and governance failures. While his administration touts economic reforms, the reality for many Nigerians is one of hardship, with inflation and unemployment at record highs. Corruption scandals, from budget padding to the Humanitarian Ministry fiasco, underscore a lack of accountability. Nepotism and regional marginalisation threaten national cohesion, while unconstitutional actions and wasteful foreign trips erode public trust.
The administration’s defenders argue that Tinubu inherited a broken system and needs time to implement reforms. However, the weight of evidence—budget manipulations, ethnic bias, and governance missteps—paints a troubling picture. As Nigeria approaches the 2027 election, Tinubu must address these criticisms or risk a legacy defined by division and distrust.
