Military Stopped Nigeria From Surpassing Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan – Bishop Mathew Kukah

The Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Mathew Hassan Kukah, has strongly criticized the role of the military in Nigeria’s political and economic trajectory, saying the country could have grown far better than global economic giants like Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan if not for repeated military interference in governance.

According to Bishop Kukah, Nigeria’s vast human and natural resources positioned it to be among the fastest-developing nations in the world after independence. However, successive military regimes, marked by coups, corruption, and authoritarian rule, derailed the nation’s progress.

He argued that countries such as Singapore and Malaysia, which once faced similar socio-political challenges, embraced strong institutions, effective leadership, and accountability—factors that Nigeria lacked because of prolonged military dominance. These Asian nations, he said, transformed their economies into global powerhouses, while Nigeria remains plagued by poverty, insecurity, and underdevelopment.

The Bishop stressed that the Nigerian people have endured the consequences of poor governance, noting that military rule not only stalled democracy but also weakened the values of accountability and transparency. He pointed out that the culture of impunity introduced during those regimes still affects the country’s democratic process today.

“Nigeria had all the opportunities to surpass Singapore, Malaysia, and even Japan, but the continuous intervention of the military set us back decades,” Bishop Kukah lamented.

He called on Nigerians to reflect on history and push for leadership that prioritizes the people’s welfare over personal or political gains. In his view, the path to sustainable progress lies in building strong democratic institutions, promoting unity, and holding leaders accountable for their actions.

Bishop Kukah also highlighted the need for policies that will strengthen education, infrastructure, and innovation, stressing that without deliberate reform, Nigeria risks falling further behind other nations.

The Catholic leader’s statement comes at a time when many Nigerians are questioning the state of governance, economic hardship, and the widening gap between the country’s potential and its actual development. His remarks serve as a reminder of how historical decisions, particularly military interventions, continue to shape Nigeria’s present struggles.