Post by Stephen Onuh Uwodi (@Enefuojo)

SYMPATHY WITHOUT SOLUTIONS IS NOT LEADERSHIP

The First Lady's expression of sympathy for Nigerians deported from South Africa may sound compassionate, but it raises a fundamental question: what has the APC government done to address the conditions that force millions of Nigerians to seek opportunities abroad in the first place?

For years, Nigerians have not been leaving their country simply because they are chasing luxury or quick wealth. Many have left because they are escaping crushing economic hardship, mass unemployment, insecurity, rising inflation, a weakening currency, poor public services, and a lack of opportunities. These are not accidents of history; they are governance challenges that demand serious policy responses.

It is therefore difficult to speak about the plight of deportees without acknowledging the role that poor governance has played in creating the desperation that drives many citizens to leave. When young people risk everything to migrate, it is often because they believe their own country no longer offers a realistic path to dignity, security, and prosperity. That reality should concern every public official.

Telling Nigerians to "take advantage of opportunities at home" rings hollow when countless businesses are struggling under high operating costs, many factories have scaled down or closed, graduates spend years searching for employment, and families are battling an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis. Opportunities cannot simply be wished into existence—they must be created through sound economic management, security, quality education, infrastructure, and an environment where businesses can thrive.

The APC government has repeatedly asked Nigerians to be patient while promising that difficult reforms will eventually produce better results. Yet many citizens say their daily lives have become more difficult, with rising food prices, transportation costs, electricity expenses, and declining purchasing power. In such circumstances, appeals for optimism are unlikely to resonate unless they are matched by measurable improvements in living conditions.

The deportation of Nigerians from South Africa should not merely be an occasion for expressions of sadness. It should prompt a deeper national conversation about why so many citizens feel compelled to leave, and what concrete steps are being taken to ensure that Nigeria becomes a place where talent is rewarded and hard work can lead to success.

The true measure of leadership is not how eloquently it sympathizes with suffering, but how effectively it reduces the causes of that suffering. Nigerians deserve more than comforting words. They deserve policies that restore economic confidence, strengthen security, create jobs, support businesses, and give young people genuine reasons to believe their future can be built at home.

The most meaningful tribute to those who returned empty-handed would be to build a Nigeria where no citizen feels forced to leave simply to survive, and where returning home is a choice made with pride—not one imposed by hardship or deportation.

Stephen Onuh Uwodi

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