Chapter 8 (2): Types of Leaders in Africa

Types of Leaders in Africa

1. The Unintelligent Leader

In many African countries, including Nigeria, we see leaders who lack the intellectual and emotional capacity to lead effectively. These individuals are often placed in positions of power as mere puppets, representing the interests of powerful elites rather than the people. As a result, they have little understanding of governance or the complexities of nation-building, and their tenure is marked by inefficiency, stagnation, and an absence of meaningful development.

These leaders are often unaware of the real needs of the people, and their leadership is defined by indecision, inaction, and blind loyalty to those who placed them in power. They become figureheads, allowing their benefactors to enrich themselves while the state suffers.

2. The Intelligent but Corrupt Leader

Perhaps more dangerous than the unintelligent leader is the one who is highly educated and capable but chooses the path of corruption. These leaders are often well-read, with impressive credentials from prestigious universities around the world. In many cases, they are hailed as “saviours” when they enter office, with the expectation that their intelligence and knowledge will bring about the much-needed change.

However, once in power, these leaders often succumb to greed and self-interest. Rather than using their intelligence to benefit the people, they manipulate the system to their advantage, amassing personal wealth and power. Their corruption is more sophisticated, making it harder for the people to see the extent of their betrayal. In the end, these leaders do more harm than good, as their capabilities could have been used to uplift the nation but are instead squandered for personal gain.

A powerful quote by Graham Greene captures this type of leadership: “Our worst enemies here are not the ignorant and simple, however cruel; our worst enemies are the intelligent and corrupt.” These leaders, with their combination of intellect and greed, pose a unique threat to society because they know exactly how to exploit the system while maintaining an appearance of competence.

Examples from Global Communities

The consequences of bad leadership and governance are not limited to Africa. Around the world, countries have suffered from the impact of poor leadership. Take, for example, the case of Venezuela. Once one of the wealthiest nations in Latin America due to its oil reserves, Venezuela has been brought to its knees by a combination of corrupt leadership, over-centralisation, and economic mismanagement. Under leaders like Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela experienced rampant inflation, severe food shortages, and widespread poverty, despite its vast resources.

Similarly, Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe went from being the breadbasket of Africa to an economic disaster zone due to poor leadership and corrupt governance. Mugabe’s policies, including land seizures and over-centralisation of power, destroyed the country’s agricultural base and led to widespread suffering.



Decentralisation: A Path to Better Governance

One of the major cause of Robert Mugabe’s failure is due to over-centralisation policies. It also remains the fundamental reason why Nigeria remain a dwarf economy.

For emphasis sake as we close this book: One major solution to the problems of bad governance is decentralisation. In Nigeria, power is heavily concentrated at the federal level, with vast resources controlled by a small group of leaders in the capital. This over-centralisation stifles regional development, creates inefficiency, and fosters corruption.

Decentralising power—giving more autonomy to states and local governments—can lead to more effective governance. When power is closer to the people, leaders are more accountable, and citizens can hold them responsible for their actions. This system also allows regions to develop at their own pace, utilising their unique resources and strengths.

Countries like Germany and Switzerland have demonstrated the benefits of decentralisation. In these nations, local governments have significant autonomy, allowing for tailored solutions to regional issues. Nigeria could benefit greatly from a similar approach, where states are empowered to take charge of their development without over-reliance on the federal government.

The Need for Leadership Reform

Nigeria, and many other African nations, need a leadership transformation. Leaders must rise above personal gain and focus on the well-being of the people. Decentralisation and accountability are key to breaking the cycle of bad governance, and citizens must demand better from those in power. A nation’s leadership index determines its future, and without the right leaders, no country can hope to achieve true progress.