Opinion
OBI CUBANA AND THE POLITICS OF INFLUENCE: WHY NIGERIANS ARE ASKING QUESTIONS
When prominent businessman and social influencer Obi Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, confirmed his appointment as the South-East Coordinator of the City Boy Movement, the announcement itself was hardly the most striking part of the story. What followed the public reaction proved far more revealing.
Rather than focusing on the appointment, many Nigerians began asking a different set of questions: why would a figure so closely associated with youth culture, philanthropy, and street credibility align openly with a government facing widespread public dissatisfaction?
Obi Cubana is not just another entrepreneur. Over time, he has grown into a cultural symbol, one of success built from the ground up, generosity performed in public, and a persona that resonates with everyday Nigerians.
His popularity cuts across social classes, particularly among young people who often feel excluded from political power.
It is against this backdrop that his acceptance of a role within a Tinubu-aligned political movement has generated unease in some quarters.
Nigeria is currently grappling with economic hardship, rising costs of living, and growing frustration with governance.
For many citizens, the government represents struggle rather than hope.
In such moments, public figures are often viewed as moral signposts, whether they ask for that role or not.
This is where the discomfort lies. To critics, the concern is not necessarily partisan; it is symbolic.
Does association with political power risk blurring the line between influence and endorsement?
Can a figure so closely identified with popular goodwill maintain that trust while working within a political structure many Nigerians feel alienated from?
Obi Cubana has defended his decision by arguing that real change can only happen through engagement, not distance.
According to him, influence from the outside is limited, while participation offers a chance to shape outcomes.
It is a position that has logic and precedent in democratic societies.
Yet Nigeria’s political history has also made citizens cautious.
Many influential voices have entered political spaces with similar intentions, only to become muted or absorbed by the system.
As a result, public scepticism is not rooted solely in cynicism but in experience.
Beyond Obi Cubana as an individual, the episode highlights a broader national conversation about the role of celebrities and social figures in politics.
Should their influence be deployed as soft power within government-aligned movements, or should it remain independent, critical, and publicly accountable?
For now, Obi Cubana insists his values remain unchanged and that his focus will be on inclusiveness and national development.
Whether that assurance will translate into visible advocacy or policy influence remains to be seen.
Ultimately, Nigerians may be less interested in the appointment itself than in what follows it. In a climate where trust in leadership is fragile, actions not access will determine how this political alignment is remembered.
As the initial headlines fade, one question continues to linger: will influence challenge power, or merely coexist with it?
By Victor Oladokun
In the last decade, I have deliberately avoided publicly commenting on Nigeria’s often toxic political discourse.
2 reasons guided this decision.
■ Any stance invites criticism from all sides.
■ My past roles, first as Director of Communication at the #AfricanDevelopmentBankGroup; then as Senior Advisor to its then President, of which both required strict diplomatic adherence to neutrality on the affairs of member countries.
For the first time in 10 years, this rare milestone compels me to speak, as President #BolaAhmedTinubu and First Lady #OluremiTinubu receive the full pomp and pageantry of a State Visit from #KingCharles III at #WindsorCastle this week, the first by a Nigerian head of state in 37 years.
It is time to acknowledge the quiet, determined work underway. #PresidentTinubu’s administration has taken the bull by the horns with bold economic reforms. Though results are uneven and unfolding, they are creating macroeconomic stability, unlocking investments, and gaining recognition.
#TheEconomist (January 2026) described Nigeria’s economy as potentially “back from the brink,” with painful reforms showing results: sharp inflation drop (from 34.8% peak to around 15%), naira stabilization, and reserves at 7-year highs ($46 billion).
The #WorldBank has hailed Nigeria as a “global reference point” for steady, credible reform implementation and results over the past two years.
Nigeria is repositioning itself as a serious global partner with vast potential, and NOT as a perpetual supplicant.
This State Visit carries deep mutual strategic significance.
For Nigeria, it showcases a reform story and opens doors to fresh capital, technology transfer, and market access. For the #UnitedKingdom, it strengthens ties with Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation. Bilateral trade already stands at a record £8.1 billion annually.
Yet, while the red carpet rolls out in London, some voices at home and abroad remain stuck in perpetual de-branding mode.
Don’t get me wrong. #Nigeria faces real issues and challenges. But, we have a built-in cycle of demonization that ignores progress.
Professional critics seize every headline to paint the nation as hopeless, amplifying setbacks while dismissing strides. Their endless negativity deters investors, demoralizes youth, and markets Nigeria as a risk rather than an opportunity.
Constructive criticism has its place, but weaponized cynicism is not patriotism. It is self-sabotage.
Fellow Nigerians, let us choose pride and opportunity over perpetual complaint and a sense of hopelessness.
To investors and global partners eyeing Africa’s future, the door is wide open. Come see the real Nigeria. A nation brimming with youthful innovation, determination, and ready to deliver in a stable, reforming environment.
My humble plea is simple … Let us move forward united, focused, and unapologetically proud.
God bless you & God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
By DELE MOMODU
I knew Chief Babaremilekun Adetokunbo Fani-Kayode, Q.C, SAN, of blessed memory, the father of David Oluwafemi Adewunmi Abdulateef Fani-Kayode aka FFK, in Ile-Ife, long before I met his querulous, garrulous and cantankerous son.
Femi is a classic case of a wasted investment. He attended some of the best schools pedigree and/or money could purchase, but turned out an outright and incurable thug.
He went to Cambridge University, probably a 4th generation in his family, but became an enfant terrible, fighting anyone and anything, including esoteric spirits, in sight. All supplication and intercession by friends and family on his behalf have failed to cure his strange malady.
And this is the man President Bola Tinubu is about to unleash on Germany as an Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for God’s sake.
For Femi, it is a fulfillment of a long expected appointment. We discussed it several times. And I encouraged him to be patient and prayerful. I felt his deep frustration and depression.
He was already working on Plan B, and begging a few of us to help him reach out to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (GCON), if all hopes evaporate.
Femi without power is like fish out of water. It is such a pity that now that Tinubu has finally looked at his side, with mercy and compassion, he is still busy fighting, like a pig, instead of seeking urgent rehabilitation into the comity of sane human beings.
– AARE BASORUN AKINROGUN DELE MOMODU is a journalist and former Presidential candidate.
By Bamidele Atoyebi
The current administration has embarked on a journey of structural rebirth, marked by series of bold, often debated, but undeniably transformative policy shifts.
At the heart of this “Renewed Hope” agenda is a commitment to dismantling long-standing economic inefficiencies while building a foundation for sustainable growth.
From breaking decades-old production records to redefining the relationship between the federal and local governments, the nation is witnessing a period of intense reformist energy.
In the energy sector, Nigeria has achieved a milestone that has eluded the country for over a generation through the revitalized efforts of the national oil company.
In December 2025, NNPC Exploration & Production Limited (NEPL) reached a record output of 355,000 barrels of oil per day, marking the highest daily production level since 1989.
This 36-year record is not merely a statistical victory; it represents a paradigm shift in technical efficiency and a renewed capacity to fund national development.
Similarly, the administration has revitalized international relations, specifically with the United Kingdom, reaching diplomatic and economic heights not seen in nearly four decades. This engagement was most recently highlighted on March 18, 2026, as President Tinubu arrived in the UK for a historic two-day State Visit at the invitation of King Charles III.
These UK-Nigeria records reflect a renewed confidence from the global community, opening doors for increased foreign direct investment and bilateral cooperation in technology, security, and trade.
Domestically, one of the most significant constitutional victories has been the advancement of Local Government autonomy.
For years, the third tier of government laid prostrate and often overshadowed by state administrations, but recent legal and policy enforcements have aimed to restore their financial independence.
By ensuring that resources reach the grassroots directly, the administration is empowering local leaders to address the immediate needs of their communities, from rural roads to primary healthcare.
The economic landscape has also been fundamentally reshaped by the removal of the fuel subsidy and the floating of the Naira.
While these moves have introduced immediate cost-of-living challenges, they were designed to end a cycle of systemic waste and currency arbitrage that drained the national treasury for decades.
By allowing market forces to determine value, the government aims to create a more transparent and attractive environment for investors while redirecting trillions of Naira toward public infrastructure.
To complement these fiscal shifts, a comprehensive Tax Reform Bill has been introduced to modernize the nation’s revenue collection system.
Rather than simply increasing the burden on citizens, the reform focuses on simplifying the tax code, broadening the tax base, and ensuring that the wealthy and large corporations contribute their fair share.
This move is essential for reducing the nation’s budget deficit and funding the ambitious social programs currently being rolled out.
The administration has also prioritized industrial harmony in the education sector, specifically through the implementation of the FG-ASUU signed agreement.
Historically, Nigeria’s university system was defined by push and start kind of instability, with students losing years to industrial actions: the nation endured 541 days of strikes under the Obasanjo era, 127 days during Yar’Adua’s tenure, and 359 days under the Jonathan administration.
The crisis peaked recently with between 580 and 630 days lost during the Buhari years.
In stark contrast, the current administration has maintained a record of zero full-scale strike days, ensuring that campuses remain open and academic calendars remain uninterrupted.
Welfare reforms have been extended to the broader public service through the introduction of life gratuity for civil servants. This policy ensures that those who dedicate their lives to the service of the state are met with dignity and financial security upon retirement.
By providing a guaranteed safety net, the administration is not only rewarding hard work but also incentivizing honesty and dedication within the bureaucratic machinery of the country.
This is arguably the best anti-corruption move since it guarantees good life after active service. It was said that fear of attending to personal and family needs push civil servants into corrupt practices but the Tinubu’s move aims to nip corruption among civil servants in the bud.
Academics have been granted a similar level of security through the establishment of a life pension for lecturers.
This move acknowledges the unique contribution of the professorate in shaping the minds of future leaders and ensures that retired scholars can continue to contribute to the intellectual life of the nation without the fear of financial instability.
It is a landmark achievement in the quest to make the teaching profession more attractive and respected.
To ensure that the next generation of leaders can access this world-class education, the Students Loan scheme has been successfully launched. This initiative removes the financial barriers and burdens that have historically prevented brilliant students from humble backgrounds from pursuing higher degrees.
By providing interest-free loans for tuition and upkeep, the administration is democratizing access to knowledge and ensuring that merit, not wealth, determines a student’s future.
Parallel to student support, the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF) has been established to provide a dedicated welfare cushion for university employees. This fund, alongside a broader Lecturer Loan scheme, assists academic and non-academic staff with professional development and personal welfare needs.
This dual-pronged approach to educational financing ensures that both the “learners” and the “teachers” have the financial tools necessary to succeed, reflecting a holistic understanding of the education ecosystem.
A critical pillar of national stability has been the administration’s unprecedented commitment to the men and women in uniform. Recognizing the sacrifices made by security personnel, the government has approved significant salary increments across the military, police, and paramilitary agencies.
With increases ranging from 25% to 35% under new consolidated structures, and recent March 2026 approvals specifically targeting the welfare and morale of the Armed Forces, the administration is ensuring that those who protect the nation are themselves protected by a grateful state.
Finally, the administration is modernizing the energy and financial sectors through the NNPC Executive Orders and the introduction of consumer credit via the Credit Corp.
Initiatives like the “Fly Now, Pay Later” scheme are introducing a credit culture that allows citizens to manage their expenses more flexibly while stimulating the aviation and travel industries.
Combined with the streamlining of the national oil company and the massive Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, these moves show an administration determined to bring Nigeria into the 21st-century global economic fold.
As these structural foundations are laid, a pressing question begins to emerge: when the curtain eventually falls on this era of radical reform, who will be capable of filling such massive gap and step into these big Asiwaju shoes in 2031?
Bamidele Atoyebi is the Convener of BAT Ideological Group, National Coordinator of Accountability and Policy Monitoring and a publisher at Unfiltered and Mining Reporting