Prosper Okoye
Nigerian political economist Kingsley Moghalu has described an interview granted by presidential aide Daniel Bwala on Al Jazeera as damaging to Nigeria’s image, saying the appearance portrayed the country’s leadership negatively before a global audience.
Moghalu made the remarks in comments posted on social media following Bwala’s appearance on the network’s “Head to Head” programme hosted by journalist Mehdi Hasan.
“The interview made a spectacle of Nigeria,” Moghalu said, noting that the programme’s format, which features a live international audience, amplified the impact of the exchange and exposed the country’s leadership to intense scrutiny.
He said the development reflected deeper problems in Nigeria’s political culture, which he argued is driven more by the struggle for power than by policy debates or ideological commitments.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelMoghalu, a former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, also questioned the criteria used in selecting individuals to represent the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the international stage.
According to him, sending Bwala to speak for the government despite his past political positions raised concerns about standards in public appointments.
He also criticised what he described as the practice of appointing former opposition figures who later defect to the ruling party as spokespersons or representatives of government, arguing that such individuals often carry credibility challenges because of their previous public criticisms of the administration.
Moghalu said the controversy surrounding the interview had attracted reactions from people outside Nigeria, adding that some international observers had expressed surprise at the tone and outcome of the exchange.
Despite the criticism, he said Nigeria’s citizens continue to excel globally and expressed hope that the country would eventually realise its potential through improved governance.
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“Many people around the world are waiting and hoping for when Nigeria will wake up and take its rightful place,” he said, adding that Nigerians remain hardworking and respected internationally despite governance challenges at home.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
