“Nigeria Has Lost Its Brainpower” — Lt. Col. Nyiam Blasts Today’s Leaders, Praises Murtala & Obasanjo

According to a NewsVista reporter, retired Lt. Col. Tony Nyiam has stirred conversation with bold remarks comparing past Nigerian leadership to the present. Nyiam, who is widely known for his role in the 1990 coup attempt against Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, claims that leaders like Murtala Muhammed and Olusegun Obasanjo succeeded because they listened to real experts—not political loyalists.

Speaking in a recent interview, Nyiam said Murtala’s strength came from consulting independent scholars and relying on credible institutions like the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), once headed by Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi. He noted that such expert input helped Nigeria tackle security issues and even support other African nations like South Africa.

Nyiam added that Obasanjo also surrounded himself with scholars who had no political ties, making their advice more honest and impactful.

But today, Nyiam believes those trusted think tanks have been weakened. According to him, institutions like the NIIA and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) now serve the interests of politicians, rather than offering bold, truth-based advice.

He warned that when experts are no longer free to speak openly, leadership becomes blind—and national progress suffers.

“What made Murtala and Obasanjo effective was their reliance on independent minds,” Nyiam concluded.