President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to embrace the enduring virtues of courage, resilience, unity and the politics of cooperation exemplified by the late Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola, first premier of the Western Region, urging citizens to consciously reject bitterness, acrimony and divisive tendencies in national life.
The president said Nigeria must draw inspiration from Akintola’s legacy of bridge-building, fairness and patriotism, stressing that the remembrance of past national tragedies should serve as a healing process rather than an opportunity to reopen old wounds.
According to him, historical reflection must strengthen collective understanding and reinforce commitment to national unity.
President Tinubu’s admoniton was delivered by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the 2026 Samuel Akintola Memorial Lecture and the 60th remembrance of the former Premier of Western Nigeria, which was held at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan and themed Unity in Diversity: Lessons from Chief Ladoke Akintola’s Legacy.
Describing the lecture as a fitting tribute, the president noted that Akintola remains one of Nigeria’s foremost nationalists whose life and sacrifice are deeply woven into the country’s historical journey.
He recalled that, like many leaders of Nigeria’s formative years, Akintola paid the ultimate price with his life in the course of the nation’s search for stability and progress.
Reflecting on the January 15, 1966 military coup, President Tinubu said the violent interruption of Nigeria’s early political leadership extinguished many promising national figures and plunged the country into a difficult era.
He, however, emphasised that Nigeria has endured and will continue to prevail as one indivisible and united nation.
The President reassured Nigerians that despite prevailing socio-economic challenges, his administration remains firmly committed to building on the foundations laid by Chief Akintola and other national heroes. He said ongoing reforms, policies and people-oriented initiatives are designed to secure sustainable and inclusive prosperity, urging citizens to exercise patience as the reforms begin to yield positive outcomes.
According to him, government policies are not intended to impose hardship on Nigerians but to create a more stable, secure and prosperous future for all.
President Tinubu described Chief Akintola as a man of many parts who distinguished himself as a teacher, journalist, legal practitioner and passionate politician. He recalled that Akintola rose from humble beginnings in Ogbomoso to national prominence to become the first Premier of the Western Region in post-independence Nigeria.
He highlighted Akintola’s service as a federal minister, the first Leader of the Opposition in the Federal Parliament and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, as well as his contributions to major national institutions such as the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria Airways and the University of Ife, Ile-Ife. The President described him as one of the most astute politicians of his generation.
Beyond public office and traditional titles, the President said Akintola’s most enduring legacy lies in his ideals, particularly his advocacy of the politics of cooperation, a philosophy that prioritised consensus over conflict and national unity over regional isolation.
He noted that Akintola consistently called for alignment with the national mainstream and equitable distribution of the nation’s wealth through his doctrine of a “fair share”.
President Tinubu also reflected on the narrative surrounding the 1966 coup, observing that while allegations of corruption were cited as justification, Akintola stood out as a builder who initiated and completed impactful development projects. He added that deeper scholarly examination of public administration in pre-1966 Western Nigeria would further enrich national historical understanding.
He paid tribute to other patriots who lost their lives during the coup, including Ahmadu Bello, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Festus Okotie-Eboh and senior military officers, noting that their sacrifices underscore the grave consequences of disunity, distrust and political intolerance.
Describing Nigeria as a nation of diverse peoples, languages and faiths, President Tinubu stressed that diversity must be harnessed as a source of strength rather than division. He reaffirmed that unity in diversity remains the only viable pathway to lasting peace and progress in a plural society.
Highlighting current efforts to promote inclusive development, the President pointed to the establishment of Regional Development Commissions across the six geopolitical zones as a deliberate strategy to decentralise development, address region-specific challenges and ensure that no part of the country is left behind. He said the initiative reflects Chief Akintola’s philosophy of fairness and equitable distribution of national resources.
The President also underscored the importance of human capital development, particularly education, citing the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as a landmark intervention to remove financial barriers to higher education. He disclosed that more than 600,000 students nationwide have already benefited from interest-free loans under the scheme, describing education as the most potent weapon against poverty, insecurity and division.
Addressing the people of the South-West, President Tinubu acknowledged the region’s historic contributions to Nigeria’s development and assured that his administration remains attentive to its aspirations for good governance, infrastructure expansion, economic opportunities and respect for cultural heritage.
He added that the South-West Development Commission is operational, with federal projects in power, roads, rail, agribusiness and innovation being accelerated across the region.