By ALIMI NURUDEEN
“Leadership is not about popularity; it’s about responsibility.”
This quote perhaps best encapsulates the contrast between two of Nigeria’s most consequential presidents: Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
As the nation reflects on its governance trajectory, it does so with a heavy heart. Former President Muhammadu Buhari—Nigeria’s 15th Commander-in-Chief and former Head of State—was laid to rest in his hometown of Daura at exactly 17:50 hours on the 15th day of July 2025.
A figure deeply etched into Nigeria’s military and democratic history, Buhari’s passing marks the end of an era defined by discipline, conservatism, and a cautious approach to reform.
Now, all eyes are on his successor, President Tinubu, whose leadership style represents a clear departure from Buhari’s—adopting a more daring, reformist path aimed at rapidly resetting Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape.
Economic Blueprint: Fiscal Caution vs. Market Liberalism
Under Buhari, economic governance leaned toward protectionism and heavy state involvement. With multiple exchange rates, subsidized fuel, and import restrictions, Nigeria recorded average annual inflation of 14.8% during his tenure, peaking at over 21% by early 2023.
While the GDP growth rate hovered around 2%, his administration pulled Nigeria out of two recessions, largely driven by oil price shocks and global downturns.
Tinubu, however, has pursued aggressive reforms. In May 2023, fuel subsidies were removed, saving the nation an estimated ₦4 trillion annually. The naira was subsequently floated, ending years of currency arbitrage and signaling a shift toward a market-determined economy. These policies spiked inflation to over 33% as of mid-2024 – (which had since dried to 23% by mid-2025) – but also attracted renewed interest from the World Bank and foreign investors, who now view Nigeria as a serious economic reformer.
Defence and National Security: Boots on Ground vs. Strategic Reconfiguration
Buhari, with a military pedigree, increased defense spending significantly—rising from ₦968 billion in 2015 to over ₦2.98 trillion by 2023. His administration reclaimed key territories from Boko Haram but was criticized for failing to quell banditry and farmer-herder clashes, especially in the Northwest and Middle Belt.
Tinubu’s strategy includes rethinking security architecture. He has proposed state policing, improved surveillance infrastructure, and introduced defense-tech partnerships.
Under his government, the Nigeria Police Force is undergoing structural reforms, while the Armed Forces now receive more intelligence support and tactical training.
Healthcare: System Maintenance vs. Structural Reform
Under Buhari, healthcare spending remained modest, averaging 3.6% of the annual budget, far below the 15% Abuja Declaration target.
The pandemic further exposed critical gaps in Nigeria’s public health systems.
Tinubu’s health policy aims to digitalize health insurance access, integrate primary care, and attract private investment.
In his first year, allocations to primary healthcare rose by 18%, with plans to scale up telemedicine and mobile clinics across underserved regions.
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Education: Quantity vs. Quality
While Buhari expanded funding for UBEC and TETFund —with TETFund disbursing over ₦1 trillion between 2016 and 2022 — Nigeria’s public universities remained plagued by strikes, poor infrastructure, and brain drain.
Tinubu is addressing these issues with education loan schemes, curriculum reform, and an emphasis on digital literacy and vocational training. In 2024, his administration launched the Nigerian Skills Accelerator Programme, aiming to train 5 million youths in emerging tech, agriculture, and creative industries by 2027.
In the end, governance is not merely about styles. It is about service. And how history remembers both men will depend not only on their intentions but also on their impact.
Infrastructure: Federal Dominance vs. PPP-Driven Acceleration
Buhari’s achievements in infrastructure were notable. Projects like the Second Niger Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and revival of the long-abandoned rail transportation system across the nation restored public confidence in government-led development.
Between 2016 and 2023, Nigeria reportedly invested ₦10.5 trillion in infrastructure, mostly via borrowing.
Tinubu is shifting toward public-private partnerships (PPPs) to ease the fiscal burden. The launch of the Infrastructure Support Fund (ISF) and the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI)—aimed at boosting national grid efficiency—mark a decisive turn toward private sector-led infrastructure delivery.
Philosophy of Governance: Top-Down vs. Participatory Leadership
Buhari governed with a stoic, reserved persona, focusing on discipline, control, and national identity. His critics accused him of sluggish decision-making and a disconnect from grassroots concerns.
Tinubu operates with a hands-on, consultative style, often engaging in policy dialogues, public briefings, and high-level economic forums.
Whether this open style translates to better outcomes remains to be seen, but the contrast is clear.
A Farewell and A Challenge
As Nigerians bid farewell to former President Muhammadu Buhari—a man whose lifelong service spanned military, democratic, and institutional leadership—we honour his role in stabilizing a fragile democracy and confronting insurgency during critical years.
Yet, the nation now faces new challenges—fiscal instability, social unrest, climate impacts, and global competitiveness—that require bold reforms and resilient institutions.
President Tinubu’s governance is still in its early chapters, but his style signals a marked departure: from control to deregulation, from caution to decisiveness, from centralized power to distributed responsibility
Final Thought: The Future of Governance in Nigeria
Nigeria’s journey requires both the fortitude of conservatism and the courage of reformism. As history turns the page from Buhari to Tinubu, what remains constant is the role of the people—as voters, voices, and visionaries.
In the end, governance is not merely about styles. It is about service. And how history remembers both men will depend not only on their intentions but also on their impact.
*Nurudeen, a public affairs analyst, writes in from Lagos
