By : Mansur Aramide
Date: 15 March 2026 11:20am WAT
A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Prof. Wale Sulaiman, declared at the weekend that the global appreciation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s relentless efforts at stabilising the naira, among other widely acknowledged achievements, would secure his return next year.
He also praised the state governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for his developmental progress across the state, and advised that only serious-minded individuals with a clear vision for governance, like the governor, should aspire to the position of governor.
Sulaiman, a United States-based neurosurgeon, expressed confidence in Tinubu’s APC-led federal government, noting that Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda was gradually stabilising the economy.
According to Sulaiman, at the iftar he organised for journalists in Ilorin, where he outlined what he called “a prosperity agenda,” his mission is to consolidate the achievements of the current administration while introducing new initiatives to improve the state’s economy and social services.
He began by extending goodwill messages to Muslims observing Ramadan and Christians in the Lenten season, while also offering prayers for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
“We must continue to pray for our leaders. May Almighty Allah grant President Bola Ahmed Tinubu good health, wisdom and the strength to continue moving Nigeria in the right direction,” he said.
He observed that the global institutions are beginning to acknowledge improvements in Nigeria’s economic direction.
“We are beginning to see international indices acknowledging the reforms. The exchange rate is stabilising, and the economy is moving in the right direction, though we must continue to provide social safety nets for vulnerable citizens,” he said.
The governorship aspirant also urged students and young people in Kwara to take advantage of federal initiatives, such as the student loan scheme, to support their educational pursuits.
He pledged to prioritise job creation, education and economic expansion if given the mandate to govern the state in 2027.
The aspirant also commended Governor AbdulRazaq for what he described as significant progress recorded in Kwara State, stressing that continuity of governance would be essential to sustain the gains made so far.
“In Kwara State, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq is doing a fantastic job tackling many challenges. But as you know, some of these issues cannot be solved within eight years. It is important to have continuity and people with the capacity, capability and experience to continue that legacy,” he said.
Sulaiman argued that leadership in the state should be entrusted to individuals with the administrative competence, professional background and global exposure required to address pressing challenges in education, healthcare, infrastructure and security.
According to him, the state needs leaders who are prepared for the responsibility rather than those driven mainly by financial strength.
“You are not going to hire a CEO to run your company without clear requirements. Leadership should not just be about money; it must be about competence, preparation and the ability to tackle the real issues affecting the people,” he said.
The APC aspirant said job creation would form the cornerstone of his development agenda, explaining that large-scale employment opportunities could be generated through agriculture, infrastructure development, tourism, mineral resources and international partnerships.
According to him: “We must create jobs for our teaming youths and economic opportunities for our people. If we invest properly in agriculture, infrastructure and international partnerships, we can create thousands of jobs.”
Sulaiman also stressed the need to strengthen the education sector, recalling how access to quality education changed the course of his life.
“I come from a very humble background in the ghetto of Lagos, but because of the opportunity I had through education and scholarship, I was able to become a neurosurgeon recognised around the world,” he said.
“I dream of a Kwara where the child of nobody can become somebody. Education should give every child the opportunity to realise their potential.”He further linked unemployment and limited economic opportunities to insecurity, arguing that expanding economic prospects would help address many of the state’s security concerns.
Sulaiman emphasised that his proposed agenda would be further developed through consultations with stakeholders, including the media and the public, to ensure that the policies are practical and implementable.
“This document is just an overview of our prosperity agenda. The details will come later with contributions from experts and stakeholders so that what we eventually implement will be realistic and beneficial to our people,” he explained.
He concluded by urging professionals and Nigerians in the diaspora to become more involved in governance and national development, insisting that the country has the talent and potential to become one of the best nations in the world.
“Nigeria is full of talented people doing amazing things around the world in healthcare, banking, sports and many other sectors. We must all get involved in building our country and demonstrating why Nigeria remains the giant of Africa,” he said.
