IF I BECAME PRESIDENT

By Dr jalarth Uche Opara

If I became President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I would step into an office burdened with immense expectations, an office wrapped in power, influence, and symbolism.

History reminds us that leadership in Nigeria is rarely handed over easily. Even the transition that brought Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to power after the passing of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was an exception, not the rule. Power here is contested, negotiated, and often fought for through complex political alignments.
The journey to the presidency is not for the faint-hearted. It demands resilience, strategy, and the ability to navigate a system where ethics are sometimes bent and loyalties are fluid. It is a path marked by sacrifice, betrayal, and enormous financial cost.
Those who emerge victorious are rarely unchanged.
Yet, beyond the struggle lies a greater question: What is power for?

If I became president, my answer would be simple to rebuild Nigeria from its foundations..Nigeria’s greatest challenge is not a lack of resources, but the weakness of its institutions. My first priority would be to rebuild and strengthen these institutions so they can function independently, transparently, and efficiently. A nation cannot rise above the strength of its systems. When institutions work, corruption diminishes, justice prevails, and merit thrives.

If i became President my administration would be driven by merit, integrity, and competence. While experience matters, character would matter more. Public office would no longer be a reward for loyalty, but a responsibility entrusted to those who can deliver results.

No nation develops beyond the mindset of its people. I would establish a strong national orientation program to reshape values promoting integrity, patriotism, and accountability.
Until corruption is rejected not just by law, but by culture, progress will remain fragile.

Agriculture would be a cornerstone of my administration. We would invest heavily in local production, providing farmers with the tools, infrastructure, and security they need to thrive.
Rather than abrupt bans, we would gradually reduce dependence on imports by strengthening local industries. Nigeria must produce what it consumes and consume what it produces.

The true measure of leadership is the well-being of the people.
My government would prioritize:
Affordable and accessible healthcare. Quality education for all.Decent housing through structured housing schemes
Social support for the elderly and vulnerable
No Nigerian should be left behind in a nation so richly endowed.

Public funds must serve public good. Waste, contract inflation, and financial misconduct would be strictly addressed through transparent systems and digital accountability mechanisms.
Civil servants would be retrained and repositioned to serve with professionalism and patriotism with a pay that would be enough to take care of their needs not their ostentatious lifestyles

My administration would adopt a completion-first policy:
All viable abandoned projects would be completed before new ones are initiated
Resources would be used efficiently, not politically.
Nigeria belongs to all of us. My leadership would be inclusive—engaging citizens at all levels through structured consultations and participation.
Every Nigerian with value to offer would have a voice.

CONCLUSION
If I became president, I would not promise miracles. But I would commit to building a system that works—a Nigeria where institutions are stronger than individuals, where leadership is service, and where every citizen has a fair chance to succeed.
Four years may not be enough to perfect Nigeria, but it is enough to set it irreversibly on the path to greatness.

Nigeria is a blessed nation but cursed when it comes to leadership. Imagine where this country would have been after many years of oil boom, if we were blessed with visionary leaders, leaders with depth in knowledge and character. Looking back Nigeria could be described as a country in an ocean but continues to die of massive dehydration.

If I Became President, the song Uhuru would be the signature tune of every Nigeria.

*Jarlath Opara is a creative writer, author, columnist and political/ social analyst*.
@ Facebook Jalarth Uche
Jarlathuche@gmail.com