Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), attributed Nigeria's socio-economic and political challenges to the military's intervention in politics. Speaking in Ado-Ekiti during a visit from the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ekiti State council, led by Comrade Kayode Babatuyi, Babalola criticized the military for disrupting Nigeria's development trajectory since seizing power on January 15, 1966.
He argued that the military's involvement laid the foundation for the country's current inflation and hardships by plundering the economy, weakening national institutions, and institutionalizing corruption through misguided policies. Babalola asserted that these decisions still impact Nigeria's socio-economic conditions today.
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While absolving President Bola Tinubu of blame for the current economic hardships, Babalola emphasized that the problems predate Tinubu's tenure. He encouraged the president to develop effective economic strategies to improve living standards and accelerate national development.
Babalola highlighted the crucial role of the media in nation-building, urging journalists to hold the government accountable and expose its shortcomings without fear. He described journalism as a powerful tool for advising and guiding political leaders, essential for Nigeria's progress.
