Senior pastor and televangelist, Matthew Ashimolowo, expressed confidence in president Bola Ahmed Tinubusaying he believes the Nigerian leader is committed to fixing the country, but warned that leadership alone cannot solve the nation’s deep-rooted challenges.
Speaking in a viral video doing the rounds on social media, the 73-year-old priest claimed that Nigeria’s problems stem not only from leadership problems but also from systemic failures which last for decades.
Ashimolowo said he believed Tinubu had good intentions and understood the country’s challenges, but stressed that fixing Nigeria required more than changes at the top.
“I believe we have a president who is ready to fix this nation. I believe he’s seen it all and I believe he has good intentions. The system is broken so you can’t fix the presidency, the leadership and leave the system.”
The focus should be on institutions, not individuals
The pastor noted that Nigerians have historically placed too much emphasis on finding the right leaders while paying less attention to building strong institutions and systems.
Drawing comparisons with the United States, he argued that the strength of established systems allows governments to function effectively regardless of who occupies the presidency.
“In my opinion, I think we have a good head, but the head is not enough. So the leadership and the failure of the system and in my opinion, therefore, as a 73-year-old who has seen this nation and lived in a different economy for 41 years, I think we have focused too much on the people to be led and not the system to be led.”
Citing former US President Ronald Reagan, Ashimolowo said strong institutions ensure that no individual is greater than the system.
“They have built a system that is bigger than the president and even the Supreme Court can say no to the president.”
He calls for tougher action against corruption
The priest also called on the authorities to take decisive action against corruption at all levels of society, insisting that crimes should be exposed and prosecuted without exception.
According to him, corruption is not limited to political leaders, but is embedded in various sectors of society, from public officials to ordinary citizens.
“From the presidency to the man in the street, name who is behind any evil, let us know them, let them be brought to court, let them be accused and let them have no pardon.”
He added that everyday acts of bribery and misconduct contribute to the broader problem of corruption, arguing that significant reform must include both government institutions and citizens.
“Corruption is not only the leader.”
Watch the video here…
“I believe we have a president who is ready to fix this nation. He has seen it all and he has good intentions, but the system is broken” – Pastor Matthew Ashimolowopic.twitter.com/wuhYdm4kVy
— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) June 10, 2026
