They say leadership is about vision, courage, and service. I say it’s mostly about character—because without character, a leader is just a conman with better suits. Sadly, in our modern world, character seems to be as scarce as fuel in Nigeria or common sense in Washington. Exhibit A and B? Donald J. Trump and Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Trump: The Orange Tornado of Ego
Donald Trump strutted into the White House in 2016 like a WWE champion, except instead of steel chairs, he wielded Twitter. He promised to “drain the swamp,” but instead turned it into a jacuzzi for his friends.
The problem wasn’t that Trump lacked intelligence—he’s shrewd in his own chaotic way. The problem was character. Lies were his daily bread, truth his sworn enemy, and humility… well, that word isn’t in his vocabulary. His idea of leadership was loyalty to him personally, not to the Constitution, not to the nation.
And when his presidency ended, he didn’t exit gracefully like a statesman. Oh no. He inspired an insurrection, because in Trump-world, losing an election is simply fake news. His legacy? A nation divided, democracy wounded, and late-night comedians permanently employed.
Tinubu: The Jagaban’s Dynasty
Cross the Atlantic and you’ll find Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Jagaban of Lagos. If Trump was reality TV, Tinubu is a Nollywood blockbuster—complete with plot twists about age, identity, diplomas, and even health. Nigerians often joke that Tinubu is the only man who can graduate from Chicago State University in every decade.
He didn’t just build political influence; he built an empire. Lagos politics is like a chessboard, and Tinubu owns all the pieces—queen, bishop, even the pawns. If you want a councillorship, better kiss the Jagaban’s ring.
But once again, character is the missing piece. Nigerians are told to tighten their belts, but they look at a president with murky pasts and wonder: tighten for what? If character is currency, Tinubu’s wallet is suspiciously light.
Why Character Matters
The lesson from Trump and Tinubu is simple: leadership without character is like a car without brakes. It might speed for a while, but it’s heading for a crash.
With Trump, we saw how lies and narcissism turned democracy into a circus. With Tinubu, Nigerians are watching a president try to rally a struggling nation while dragging the baggage of unanswered questions.
Character builds trust. Without trust, no policy, no speech, no promise can stick. A leader without character may win elections, but he cannot win hearts.
The Punchline
So here’s the real tragedy: societies often get the leaders they deserve. Americans knew Trump was a reality TV showman. Nigerians knew Tinubu had more “baggage” than Murtala Muhammed Airport. Yet both were chosen.
In the end, it proves one thing: character matters most in leadership, but voters often treat it like a side dish—until the main course arrives rotten.
Centre for Nigeria Progress 