EKO FEDERAL GOES TO ASO ROCK VILLA

PERSONALLY, I believe it has long been the desire and longing of Yoruba elites to have a Lagos oriented politician make it to the Aso Rock Villa as president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Fondly called Eko Fedira, especially by people with Isale Eko (Lagos Island) affiliations, owing to its status as a former federal capital city before it was moved to Abuja in 1991, the very ambitious Lagos State has never had the opportunity for one of its sons to ascend to the topmost office of the country, despite valiant tries by its powerful politicians of yore, until the powerful politician from Alausa but with Isale Eko roots made a destined shot at the target and like a great matador, strategized and fought hard in the General Elections of 2023 and with God’s unfailing backing got the national mandate to become occupier of the Aso Rock Villa.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, bespectacled, sagacious and far-seeing became the president on May 29, 2023, to the joy of a lot of Lagosians, not minding that he lost the popular vote to one of his opponents in the election. From day one, the Lagos oriented statesman set about reengineering the whole ecosystem of Nigerians politics and economy by making bold decisions that affected the rudiments of a visionary nation. From reforming the finance system by stopping fuel subsidies in order to free up funds for state and local government developments to paying up accumulated debts for our national currency to rebound in value, Eko Federal in Aso Rock Villa withstood the acrimonies and vilification that resulted from the short-term effects of the reforms on the Nigerian peoples till the economy turned the corner recently, with our foreign reserves shoring up above $50B and our economy stabilized after two years of turbulence. Long known for his creative streak in governance, JAGABAN brought his experience navigating the treacherous years of post-military Lagos State to Abuja where he introduced unconventional means of finance to project the state from a third-rate economy to a first-class economy twenty years after his exeunt in office. It is what I have long looked forward to as a progressive thinker with focus on Africa, to have leaders with visionary orientation hold the green pen of power.

In education, Eko Federal also showed his steeze in Aso Rock Villa. Probably owing to his experience with the Millenium School Projects he did as Governor of Lagos State and understanding keenly the Awolowo legacy of education as permanent solution to national poverty, JAGABAN rolled out for the first time a system of student loans called the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) for undergraduates of Nigerian tertiary institutions, to allow indigent students with passion for excellence make it through school and not have their young dreams perished at the gate of generational poverty. As at March 2026, a total number of over 1.5 million students have benefited from the laudable project and lots of graduates who used the lifelines to get their certificates have commended the initiative of the president. Further on education, the president broke the jinx of ASUU strike that every student at Nigerian public universities has been destined to experience in their school cycle by having a new agreement with the very active association of Nigerian university lecturers that settled some of their decade long agitations with the Federal Government, inclusive of new lease of research grants. Only students that experienced full cycle of university education without strike action disrupting the calendar would appreciate the full measure of this intervention by JAGABAN and I am sure their parents would be glad too.

Generally, the administration of Asiwaju in Aso Rock Villa has been cosmopolitan in structure like Lagos State is, emphasizing efficiency over executive doldrum. For instance, I believe even the blind can smell the concrete dusts from Engineer David Umahi’s stunting works all over the federation as minister of works; same for the FCT Minister; and for Aviation, Interior, Information, Defense, Livestock Development, Mining, Trade, Finance and Health (both coordinating ministers in tow) ministries whose administrators have been hard at work pushing the frontiers of the RENEWED HOPE AGENDA of JAGABAN in their various seat of government. The effects of their efforts have gradually been seen in the system, not minding the sabotaging works of enemies of state that constantly foment violence and troubles in the hinterlands with parlous security, putting Nigeria in bad spotlight. Same sporadic developments and security have been seen in states where the governors and local government administrators matches the passion of JAGABAN for delivering infrastructural developments as well as democratic dividends and conversely lacking in states with docile and unprogressive constituents.

Asiwaju has also inspired and encouraged urban renewal all over Nigeria, especially the north by his approval of metropolitan light-rail project in Kano valued at $1B as well as the 2024 relaunch of the Abuja Light Rail, where the president graciously approved free rides for residents to enjoy the modern feature of a beautiful capital city. There is also ongoing commitment to major interstate rail lines spanning South to North and his creation of Economic Development Commissions in the six geopolitical regions is meant to fast-track development on a national scale. Overall, JAGABAN, our very own giant from Eko Fedira now the gracious occupant of ASO ROCK VILLA, has forged ahead with same focus he had creating a new LAGOS from the slums of military history and mismanagement, braving opposition and infantile criticisms to create a sustainable model of governance that the coming generations of leader can build on as we aspire to the height of our national excellence.

I believe Nigeria is on the cusp of magical history with Eko Fedira now in Aso Rock Villa and with eyes on continuity to deliver on his magical vision for Naija. Do you share in my sentiments?

Cheers to you.

WSO

PS: WALE OWOEYE’S latest book NIGERIA- GIANT OF AFRICA is freshly available on Kindle from the Amazon store. You will enjoy it!