Renowned political economist and public affairs analyst, Prof. Pat Utomi, has said that both past and present Nigerian leaders have painfully disappointed the country and its citizens due to leadership failure driven by excessive self-interest.

Utomi made the remark on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television, where he blamed Nigeria’s governance challenges on the lack of commitment to the common good among those who occupy public office.

According to him, while leadership failures are evident across Africa, Nigeria represents a particularly troubling case.

“To be fair, I think it’s not just Nigeria; it’s Africa at large in many ways. But Nigeria is the worst-case example. Nigeria has been painfully disappointing because of the quality of people who took public positions,” he said.

Utomi argued that public office should be guided by sacrifice and service, but many Nigerian leaders have instead prioritised personal interests over public welfare, abandoning what he described as the true essence of public life.

“These people got to positions in public life where self-love exceeded care for the people and the ultimate reason for public life, which is the pursuit of immortality—seeking to live forever by sacrificially giving up yourself for the advancement of the common good,” he stated.

Speaking from a faith-based perspective, Utomi said the situation deeply troubles him, noting his personal struggle to avoid judging leaders whose actions, in his view, have harmed society.

“For me, it is doubly troubling because, from a faith perspective, I struggle not to judge people. I recognise things they do that I don’t think are proper and that hurt society and the common good,” he said.

He further lamented that the conduct of the political class has worsened Nigeria’s situation by normalising hatred in public discourse.

“In more recent history, the most terrible thing the political class has done to Nigeria is to make hate a part of our culture,” Utomi added.