If you ever want to take the pulse of public opinion on trending issues in Nigeria, a commercial bus ride is your best bet. Conversations, often loud, unfiltered, and passionate, serve as a microcosm of how everyday Nigerians feel. My recent journey from Mowe, Ogun State, to Berger, Lagos, on Friday, February 14, 2025, was no exception. The hot topic of discussion? The widely publicized divorce of Nigerian music legend 2Baba (Innocent Idibia) and his actress wife, Annie Idibia, and his subsequent decision to pitch his matrimonial tent with Natasha Osawaru, a lawmaker and granddaughter of the business mogul, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion.

The discussion in the bus was as heated as the Lagos sun, but one voice consistently swallowed all others, that of a middle-aged woman who passionately, and rather loudly, kept repeating: “True, True, Wetin 2Baba Do Annie Nor Good!” She screamed it over and over, drowning out counterarguments and reinforcing her stance with emotional fervor. Initially, her voice seemed like noise, but as she pressed on with her points, it became clear that she was making valid arguments.

Without a doubt, the woman’s indignation was not misplaced. This is as 2Baba and Annie’s love story had been one of resilience, forgiveness, and emotional investment, at least from Annie’s end. She had stood by him through thick and thin, from his days as an up-and-coming artiste to his rise to African music royalty. Annie endured public humiliation when 2Baba fathered children with other women, yet she forgave and married him, holding firm to the love they shared. For this, many Nigerians saw her as the embodiment of perseverance in marriage.

One of the strongest points the woman in the bus made was about loyalty. “How you go stand by man all these years, fight all battles, only for him to leave you for another woman? Where dem dey do that kind thing?” she asked, her voice rising in indignation. Her frustration echoed a broader sentiment among Nigerian women who believe that marriage should be built on unwavering commitment, especially from men who have benefited from their partner’s sacrifices.

As much as there were dissenting opinions, a good number of passengers sided with the woman. A young man sitting beside me, perhaps in his late 20s, nodded in agreement and added, “Omo, I no go lie, Annie try. E nor easy to forgive person wey give other women belle make you come still marry am. TwoBaba supposed to respect the kind woman wey fit do for am, and now e come abandon am later.” His statement resonated with many in the bus, especially the women.

Another passenger, a woman in her early 40s, chimed in, “E pain me well, well! No be say Annie nor fine, no be say she nor support 2Baba. Which kind example 2Baba wan set for young men wey dey look up to am? E dey encourage dem make dem nor value the women wey suffer follow dem.”

A middle-aged man in a blue shirt, who initially seemed uninterested in the discussion, finally spoke up: “To be honest, I no too dey put mouth for celebrity matter, but wetin this woman talk make sense. No be say make marriage no get wahala, but na to respect the one wey don dey there since. 2Baba no try at all.” This comment sparked a round of nods and murmurs of agreement from fellow passengers.

One of the reasons why this saga has captured public interest is because of the emotional investment Nigerians have in Annie and 2Baba’s relationship. We all watched their wedding in 2012, a grand affair that symbolized hope that love could triumph over past mistakes. Annie had forgiven 2Baba for his indiscretions, and many believed that theirs would be a love story for the ages. But alas, love stories do not always follow the fairy tale script.

For Annie, the public humiliation must be unbearable. Unlike regular people, celebrities have their personal lives dissected under the public eye. Her pain is now a national discussion, a trend on social media, and the subject of heated debates in Lagos traffic. Many women sympathize with her because they see a reflection of their own struggles in her. The betrayal stings deeper when it happens in full view of the world.

Beyond the celebrity drama, this situation underscores the importance of faithfulness in marriage. Loyalty and commitment are the bedrock of any successful marriage, and both partners must strive to honor their vows. The Bible is clear on the sanctity of marriage: “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matthew 19:6). This verse serves as a reminder that marriage is a sacred covenant that should not be broken carelessly.

Another passage that reinforces faithfulness is Hebrews 13:4: “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” This verse warns against infidelity, emphasizing that breaking marital vows has consequences both morally and spiritually.

Faithfulness in marriage is not just about avoiding physical infidelity but also about being emotionally and mentally committed to one’s spouse. It requires communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to overcome challenges together. 2Baba’s decision to leave Annie for another woman sets a dangerous precedent, one that suggests that loyalty and sacrifices in marriage can be disregarded.

While 2Baba’s decision is his personal choice, its impact extends beyond his immediate family. As a public figure, he influences many young people who look up to him. His actions send a message, one that could reinforce the belief that women’s sacrifices in relationships are dispensable. If love, loyalty, and perseverance are not enough to keep a man, what then is the guarantee of stability in relationships?

Without a doubt, the bus ride from Mowe to Berger was long, but the discussion made it seem shorter. The passionate woman’s voice, though loud and sometimes overwhelming, was not baseless. Her arguments were rooted in logic, empathy, and a keen understanding of human relationships. 2Baba’s decision to end his marriage with Annie and remarry Natasha Osawaru has sparked an emotional reaction across Nigeria, and rightly so. While some may argue that love fades and people move on, there is also the moral responsibility to respect and honor those who stood by us in our most vulnerable moments.

As the bus approached Berger, the woman let out one final exclamation: “True, True, Wetin 2Baba Do Annie Nor Good!” By then, most of us, even those who initially disagreed with her, had to admit, she had a point. This story serves as a lesson that faithfulness in marriage is not just a social expectation but a moral and spiritual duty, one that both men and women should uphold.

I arrived in Abuja with my friend Jeff Okoli at about 8 p.m. on the last night of NYSC registration. We arrived at Kubwa camp for registration barely two hours before closing time. With just ₦20 in my pocket—my last card, as they say—I stepped into Kubwa camp with a cloud of uncertainty about how I would survive. I looked around the NYSC camp and decided there was no going back. This was my dream, and I had made it this far. Our chief host host in the capital was General Jeremiah Useni, who was then Minister of the FCT.

I arrived in Abuja, my dream NYSC location (I was posted to Abuja without any man know man) full of hope. My hope was to be a public servant, and my ambition was to retire as a Permanent Secretary. Fueled by this ambition, I started inquiring about how to join the public service. I learnt that Gen Abacha, then Head of State, had placed an embargo on employment. Undeterred, I made further enquiries and learnt of a small window; the NYSC Award led to automatic employment.

I became obsessed with the goal. If the NYSC Award was the only guaranteed way into public service, I would earn it. There were no shortcuts, no favours—just sheer determination.

I launched my personal Community Development Service (CDS) project, the Campaign for Exam Ethics. I mobilised my fellow Corps members, and together, we went from school to school, speaking against exam malpractice, staging plays, and instilling a culture of integrity in young minds.

There were no weekend getaways and no time for travel. While others left Abuja to visit home, I stayed back, laser-focused. I did not miss a single day of my CDS work.

I wrote letters to many agencies to sponsor a conference on examination ethics and received numerous rejections. I persisted. Some days, exhaustion gnawed at me. The Abuja sun was unforgiving, and transport costs for my drama crew and me were a constant challenge. But every morning, I rose, dusted myself off, and marched to yet another school, determined to spread the message of examination and personal integrity.

I lost count of how many times I was turned away. Secretaries gave me tired glances, some agencies didn’t even open my letters. But after every rejection, I allowed myself only a minute of disappointment, squared my shoulders, and knocked on the next door. I had a dream too strong to be buried by rejection.

On one of my routine visits to the agencies to check if I had any luck, the Secretary of the Director General of the National Orientation Agency told me the DG had sent my letter to a department and that I should follow up. I did.

After one month of daily visits and sometimes trekking from the Area 1 Federal Secretariat to my Aunty’s residence, the DG approved ₦25,000 for the conference. Prof Elochukwu Amucheazi approved it without meeting me and sent a director to represent the agency.

The conference, which had JAMB and WAEC staff, principals, and teachers present, was a huge success. It was made possible by a woman I only met once and pitched the idea to—Ms Agatha Chukwueke, then a senior staff member of Sheraton Abuja, now Mrs Nnaji, wife of Prof Barth Nnaji. She facilitated the donation of a section of Ladi Kwali Hall by Sheraton Hotel Abuja for the conference free of charge.

At my place of primary assignment—the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF)—I didn’t just do my job; I made myself indispensable. Every day, after finishing my duties in the personnel department, I would go upstairs to Dr. Babangida Aliyu, the Special Assistant to the SGF, and ask:

“Is there anything I can do?”

Dr. Aliyu would later become a Permanent Secretary and Governor of Niger State. His career trajectory fascinated me. More than that, his Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh gave him a certain swag and confidence that I admired. I didn’t just want to rise in the civil service—I wanted to do it with substance.

At the end of my NYSC year, Dr. Aliyu wrote a glowing commendation letter to NYSC, acknowledging my contributions as a speechwriter and my willingness to take on extra assignments. That letter became part of my arsenal as I approached the defining moment of my service year.

In the end, I was one of the winners of the NYSC Award in Abuja. Then, another hurdle. The NYSC FCT Director told us that automatic employment would only happen if the FCT(Abuja) Minister, General Useni, attended the Passing out Parade. Those who won the award in the past two years were not automatically employed because the Minister Useni did not attend. I was taken aback and disappointed that no one said this part.

I wondered what trajectory my life would take as I had nobody to give me a note to the military men of power in Abuja. My fear heightened as I recalled that all my applications to federal parastatals and the Federal Civil Service Commission had not elicited an acknowledgement or reply.

I had no influential uncle or godfather. My only plan B was to return to journalism—back to The Guardian, where I had interned during university breaks and ASUU strikes.

The night before, sleep eluded me. My dream of serving in the civil service hung on a thread, dependent on whether a man I had never met would show up. Would my hard work be rewarded, or would I walk away with nothing but memories?

All these thoughts filled my head as I arrived at Area 10 Old Parade Ground, Abuja, for the Passing Out Parade in the Harmattan haze of November 1996.

Gen J T Useni arrived at the parade ground at 10 a.m. My fear gave way to renewed optimism as I marched to Dais to receive my first Ministerial Handshake and certificate of award. After the ceremonies, he announced automatic employment. My one year of hard work paid off. My dream was validated, and my ambition to become a Permanent Secretary one day appeared to be on course.

Interestingly, nobody from Plateau state (where General Useni hailed from) or child of a General was among the award winners, we were all ‘plebians’ hustling for survival in a harsh environment. He simply rewarded hard work and commitment.

That was the first day I saw General Useni in person, and I thought it would be the last. As I walked off that parade ground, I thought my story had reached its climax. Little did I know, this was only the beginning of a journey. What happened next would change the course of my life in ways I never saw coming… Watch out for Part 2.

Osita Chidoka

Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, 57, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a widely circulated opinion article titled, ‘Foreign Policy and The Path To Peace in A Dangerous Neighbourhood’, basically sought to defend President Bola Tinubu against unnamed critics of his government’s apparent closeness to the French government, and his handling, as Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, of the military coup in neighbouring Niger Republic.

The coup d’état which took place on July 26, 2023, led to the country’s presidential guard removing and detaining president Mohamed Bazoum. The sub-regional group unadvisedly gave the leaders of the military coup one week to reinstate the ousted Bazoum, and suggested a possible military action if they failed to do so.  Rather than back down, the military government in Niger, together with the military juntas in Mali and Burkina Faso gave notice of their withdrawal from ECOWAS and later formed the Alliance of Sahel States – or Alliance des États du Sahel, AES, in French.

Written in an urbane, entertaining and flowery prose, the minister’s intervention could be interrogated on several fronts:

One, on criticisms about France’s purported closeness to President Tinubu, Tuggar floated the thesis of ‘Strategic Autonomy’. As he put it: “The fulcrum of the Tinubu administration’s foreign policy is Strategic Autonomy, providing us with the clarity to engage with any and all nations based on our national interests and not those of others. As a nation, Nigeria is adult enough and sophisticated enough to deal with countries without being unduly influenced, because that has been part of our historical and civic tradition. You cannot cure an illness by picking which symptoms to consider and which to ignore.”

The idea of Strategic Autonomy is not original to Tuggar. In international relations, it is defined as the ability of a state to pursue its national interests and  pursue its preferred foreign policy options without depending heavily on other foreign states. The concept was popularised by the European Union which defined it as the ability of the European Union to not be overly reliant on the United States when it comes to defending Europe and its neighbours, and to be able to pursue foreign policies that will be independent of those of the United States. It should be recalled that  the European Council had in December 2013 called for the development of European defence capabilities to enhance the strategic autonomy of the European Union. 

Following the defeat of Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election in the United States and a belief that Trump’s presidency had shown that the USA could be an unreliable partner, France became the chief advocate of Strategic Autonomy at the European Union level. Macron was quoted as advocating that the European Union should strive to be a “third super power” and should avoid being drawn into any confrontation between the USA and China over Taiwan. It is important to underline that ‘Strategic Autonomy’ for the European Union is not only about military and political autonomy from the USA but also about securing autonomy on economic, energy and digital policies. 

Given the above, there are number of issues about Tuggar’s ‘strategic economy’ argument. For instance, when he talked about the fulcrum of Tinubu’s policy being ‘Strategic Autonomy’,  the next logical question should be, “Strategic Autonomy” from whom? The European Union’s Strategic Autonomy is clearly directed at the USA. Given the current situation of multiple dependencies of our country – dependent on China and the Bretton Woods systems for external loans; dependent on  the West for its technology, dependent on the validation of  Western institutions like Fitch and  think tanks like Chatham House to validate its economic and political processes, and even dependent on foreign countries for coaches for its national football teams, it becomes exactly unclear what Minister Tuggar means by Strategic Autonomy. It will certainly be wrong for the Minister to mistake multiple dependencies or even non-alignment policy, for Strategic Autonomy. Is Nigeria really able to achieve Strategic Autonomy(meaning act independently), even as a regional power, where almost all the countries in the region are also dependent on one big power or the other?  

Two, with respect to the ECOWAS’s management of the July 26, 2023 military coup d’état in Niger Republic, Tuggar wrote: “President Tinubu pushed for the unconditional removal of ECOWAS sanctions imposed on Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. What he has consistently asked of the countries in question is for them to come up with a timetable for the restoration of constitutional rule and, in the case of Niger, the release of ousted President Bazoum.”. 

While the diplomatic efforts mentioned by the Minister towards the three states may be true, they also mask the fact that Tinubu, as Chairman of the Authority of Heads of States of ECOWAS mismanaged the issue of the coup in Niger:

First, ECOWAS under Tinubu inadvisably gave the coup leaders one week ultimatum to return Bazoum to power or face the prospect of military intervention. It made this threat when it had no troops in Niger, and no means of enforcing its threats. That was clearly a failure of deterrence as a strategy of using the power to hurt as a bargaining chip. For deterrence to work, it must be credible. If ECOWAS’ threat of military intervention was meant to be a deterrence strategy, it was clearly not credible. 

Second, the constant threat of war by ECOWAS gave the impression that the newly installed Tinubu government was being pushed by Western powers which had strategic interests in Niger, to go to war. Some have suggested that ECOWAS’ eagerness to restore constitutional order in Niger after the coup (when it did not display the same enthusiasm with the military coup in Mali in 2020 (two military coups) and in Burkna Faso in 2022 was because of fears that the coup in Niger might torpedo the Trans-Saharan Gas pipeline project, which was planned to connect natural gas pipelines from Nigeria to Algeria to plug into European gas supplies. It should be recalled that in 2022 Algeria, Nigeria and Niger signed an MOU to revive the estimated $13 billion project which was initially conceived more than 40 years ago. The gas pipeline measured 4,128 kilometres – of which 1,037 km is in Nigeria, 841 km in Niger, and 2,310 km in Algeria. Remarkably, Bazoum that ECOWAS was fighting to reinstate in office had publicly backed the 2021 military coup in Chad. At a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, Bazoum claimed that the security context justified the suspension and violation of the Chadian constitution.

Third, while it is true that the coup leaders in Niger lacked legitimacy by virtue of the fact that they came to power through an unconstitutional means, Tuggar forgot that most of the leaders of ECOWAS also face various degrees of legitimacy crisis. The argument here is that there are actually three types of coups in Africa – military coup, constitutional coups (where leaders elongate their tenure by changing the constitutions of their countries to remove term limits that would have prevented them from staying beyond a certain period in office) and election rigging (where the leaders manipulate the electoral process to gain power). In essence, while the coup leaders in Niger lacked legitimacy, the same could also be said of many of the leaders of the sub-regional group condemning the military takeover in the country.

Three, there remains a lingering suspicion of the role of France in Africa. Not only has France’s policies towards its African colonies been problematic, France has also been variously suspected  of undermining ECOWAS since the 1970s by sponsoring rival organisations to weaken it. Some have argued that with many French speaking African countries  having a dim view of France, the latter is trying to remain relevant in Africa by warming up to countries like Nigeria. 

In article in the Daily Trust of  December 9 2024, entitled, ‘What does France want from Tinubu?’, Suleiman A Suleiman raised suspicions about the chummy relationship between France and President Tinubu. Let me quote portions of the article:

“ There is no gainsaying that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received the loudest ‘international recognition’ of his presidency yet during his recent two-day state visit to France, the first by a Nigeria president since Obasanjo was received by Jacques Chirac in May 2005, almost 20 years ago. But since there are hardly coincidences in politics, certainly not in international politics, we must raise the appropriate question: What does France want from Nigeria that it would treat our president to the most lavish state reception of his presidency so far?”

Suleiman further noted:

 “President Tinubu received more than a red-carpet reception in Paris. The French made sure that the Nigerian delegation got the message that they regarded this as an important visit. President Emmanuel Macron welcomed his Nigerian counterpart at the Les Invalides complex, a place that holds so much of France’s imperial history, vestiges of which now seem threatened across much of Africa. Macron was profuse with praise for our president, whom he referred to as a “friend”. At a joint press conference, Macron said President Tinubu is “a great leader”, who will transform Nigeria the way he transformed Lagos, precisely the sort of things that Tinubu, politically embattled at home by an increasingly restless citizenry groaning under the weight of his economic policies, would like to hear said about him by a foreign leader, better still a European one.”

Suleiman noted that how “world leaders” use flattery to massage the bloated egos of African leaders in order to get what they want.  Following from this he expressed concerns about the effusive flatteries heaped on President Tinubu by Macron and concluded that, “we must worry because President Tinubu appears to be running a one-man foreign policy, and since the consequences of foreign policies often outlast the administrations that enter into them, we must ask yet again, what did President Tinubu promise the French that is not now in the news? We must know because our future as a secure nation might yet depend on it.”

Following from the above, if the Alliance of Sahel States remain cynical or impervious of ECOWAS’ diplomatic moves, it may be acting on the aphorism that the friend of my enemy is either my enemy too or at best cannot be trusted.

•Adibe is Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Nasarawa State University

The recent disciplinary action taken by Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) is a crucial step in addressing the growing indiscipline and moral decay in Nigeria’s university system. The expulsion of a student for assaulting a lecturer is not just about maintaining order within the institution—it is a bold statement that underscores the urgent need to restore discipline, respect, and ethical standards in the nation’s higher education sector.

Over the years, Nigerian universities have witnessed a worrisome nosedive in discipline and moral values, with cases of student misconduct, lecturer-student conflicts, examination malpractice, cultism, and administrative corruption becoming increasingly common. This decay reflects a broader societal issue where respect for authority, due process, and ethical behavior are being eroded.

The university, which should be a training ground for future leaders, has instead become a battleground for moral decadence, where many students feel emboldened to challenge institutional authority without consequences. Cases of students disrespecting lecturers, engaging in unruly behavior, and even physically attacking university staff highlight a disturbing trend that threatens the integrity of the education system.

At the heart of this crisis is a failure to enforce discipline. Many institutions have been slow to taking decisive actions against misconduct, either due to fear of backlash, external influences, or a culture of leniency that enables bad behavior. As a result, indiscipline festers, setting a dangerous precedent for future generations of students.

By swiftly investigating and expelling a student for physically assaulting a lecturer, UNIZIK has demonstrated that it will not tolerate acts of indiscipline that undermine the sanctity of the academic environment. This action is significant for several reasons:

1. Reaffirming Respect for Authority

The lecturer-student relationship is built on mutual respect. When a student assaults a lecturer, it is an attack on the very foundation of academic order. The university’s response sends a strong message that such acts will not go unpunished, thereby discouraging further occurrences of student misconduct.

2. Setting a Precedent for Other Institutions

Many universities have struggled to take bold disciplinary actions against erring students due to external pressures or bureaucratic delays. UNIZIK’s firm stance provides a model for other institutions to follow, proving that enforcing discipline is both necessary and achievable.

3. Restoring the Reputation of the University System

Incidents of indiscipline, especially those that go unpunished, tarnish the reputation of Nigeria’s education system. A zero-tolerance approach to misconduct restores public confidence in universities, ensuring that they remain places of learning and character-building.

4. Preparing Students for the Real World

Universities are meant to prepare students in both character and learning, for life beyond academics. In the professional world, indiscipline and lack of character come with severe consequences. By instilling a culture of accountability, UNIZIK is equipping students with the right mindset for success in their careers and society at large.

5. Addressing the Broader Decay in Education

The decline in educational standards is not just about infrastructure or funding—it is also about values. A system where students believe they can act without consequences is bound to produce graduates who lack ethical grounding. By enforcing discipline, UNIZIK is taking a proactive step to correct this drift and bring the focus back to learning, respect, and personal development.

Since assuming office, as  Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu has demonstrated a firm commitment to repositioning UNIZIK as a disciplined and excellence-driven institution. His leadership has prioritized ethics, respect, and academic integrity, ensuring that both students and staff adhere to the highest standards of conduct.

The swift action taken in this case is not just about one student’s misconduct—it is a statement of principle, a stand against the broader culture of indiscipline that threatens the credibility of Nigerian universities. Prof. Ikechebelu’s administration is setting a new standard, one where excellence is pursued not just in academics but also in character.

While UNIZIK’s leadership has taken a bold step, the fight against indiscipline in universities requires the collective effort of all stakeholders—students, lecturers, administrators, and policymakers. To truly arrest the drift, institutions across the country must enforce strict disciplinary measures against acts of misconduct. 

It is also important to educate students on the importance of ethics, respect, and professionalism. While not overlooking the need to empower lecturers and university authorities to uphold academic discipline without fear or bias.

Importantly, be intentional about creating a culture where students understand that character is just as important as academic performance.

Given, Nigerians are mostly driven by emotions and excuses. But in this case, this decisive action, under the leadership of Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, should serve as a wake-up call to other institutions: the time to arrest the drift of moral decay in education is now.

If Nigerian universities are to produce graduates who will lead with integrity, they must first ensure that the values of respect, accountability, and discipline are deeply ingrained within their walls. UNIZIK has taken the lead—will others follow?

Wilfred Toby is Executive Director, Citizens on Alert for Values and Accountability (CAVA).