By Tony Okafor
It is no longer a joke — some Nigerian governors must go back to school, not for postgraduate degrees or honorary doctorates, but to Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1) — where basic Government and Civic Education are taught.
We say this with all seriousness, because the level of constitutional ignorance displayed by some state leaders is not only shameful, it is dangerous.
In recent times, some governors have made public declarations barring Nigerians from entering or residing in “their” states — as though they were feudal lords presiding over sovereign territories.
This is not only unlawful; it is a direct affront to the 1999 Constitution — the same document they swore an oath to defend.
Let it be crystal clear: Nigeria is a federation, not a patchwork of personal estates. No governor has the legal authority to restrict the movement or residency of any Nigerian citizen across state lines.
Section 41(1) of the Constitution guarantees that :“Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof…”
This is not a suggestion. It is not subject to emotion, tribe, religion, politics, or a governor’s personal discomfort. It is a fundamental right.
Yet, in 2025, some governors still issue pronouncements that blatantly violate this constitutional provision — behaving like border patrol agents or monarchs of ancient provinces.
This crass overreach is not merely a legal blunder; it is a glaring sign of how poorly grounded they are in the basics of governance.
We must ask: Did some of them skip SS1? That is where Nigerian students are taught the meaning of a federation, the roles of the three tiers of government, and the limits of executive power. Perhaps it is time they enrolled.
One of the greatest threats to Nigeria’s democracy is not the absence of institutions, but the ignorance of those entrusted with them.
When governors begin to treat public office as a platform for vendetta or ethnic grandstanding, the republic is at risk. Governance is not about issuing decrees; it is about understanding laws, rights, and responsibilities.
Some of these governors are not victims of poor advice — they are victims of their own intellectual laziness. Many rose to power through political patronage and have made no effort to educate themselves on even the most basic elements of their office.
To those governors, we say: It is not too late. You can still return to school — start with SS1 Government, and work your way up.
There is no shame in seeking knowledge. In fact, great leaders have returned to the classroom while in office. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo did so. Babatunde Fashola, as governor of Lagos State, took executive courses. Paul Kagame of Rwanda has attended leadership programmes at some of the world’s top institutions. These leaders understood that education strengthens leadership — ignorance diminishes it.
We must stop normalizing mediocrity in high places. Nigerians deserve governors who read, learn, and lead with understanding — not those who govern by emotion or legislate unlawfully.
If we are to preserve the soul of our democracy, constitutional reorientation must be mandatory for elected officials. It is no longer enough to recite the oath of office; they must understand what it means.
Nigeria cannot be governed by those who mistake personal bias for public policy. We need thinkers, not bullies in suits. We need leaders who have passed SS1 Government — not those who skipped it on their way to the governor’s mansion.
If you cannot respect the Constitution, you have no business holding public office. And if you do not understand it, by all means, go back to school — and start from SS1.
