By Abayomi Aiyepola
“A Tyrant’s Library: A Forensic Examination of Babangida’s Political Legacy and the 17 Billion Naira Hypocrisy.
“A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within.” — Cicero
Prologue: The Emperor and His Golden Tomb
In ancient Egypt, pharaohs were buried with unimaginable wealth, gold, jewels, and statues, believing they would carry their riches into the afterlife. But history tells us something different. No matter how extravagant their tombs, they all ended up in the same place, dust.
And now, in modern Nigeria, a different kind of monument has risen, funded not by conquest or industry, but by an elaborate system of corruption, deception, and political patronage. Babangida’s Presidential Library is not just a building, it is a monument to Nigeria’s betrayal, an extravagant mockery of the people he ruled over.
₦17 billion was donated by industrialists, politicians, and the same oligarchs who flourished under his reign. Some Nigerians expressed shock, but I did not.
This reminds me of a band of thieves who, after years of looting a town, come together to erect a golden statue in honor of their leader.
The Nigerian political elite have never been divided. Their loyalty is not to ethnicity, religion, or ideology, it is to their collective mission: the annihilation and perpetual subjugation of the masses.
Let us dissect this betrayal, piece by piece.
- Why Babangida Failed Where Other Autocrats Succeeded
Many believe democracy is the best system of government, and in principle, it should be. But history shows us that not all dictators are failures. Some have transformed their nations through ruthless efficiency, dragging their countries into prosperity.
Consider these autocrats:
Lee Kuan Yew (Singapore) — From a third-world slum to a global financial hub.
Mahathir Mohamad (Malaysia) — Industrialized Malaysia while maintaining political control.
Park Chung-hee (South Korea) — Transformed South Korea into a technology giant.
Paul Kagame (Rwanda) — Turned a post-genocide nation into Africa’s fastest-growing economy.
So why did Babangida fail where they succeeded?
- Vision vs. Survival
Lee Kuan Yew had a 50-year vision for Singapore.
IBB had a 50-step plan to avoid being overthrown.
- Building Institutions vs. Destroying Them
South Korea invested in education and research.
Nigeria under Babangida saw universities shut down and lecturers jailed.
- National Progress vs. Personal Wealth
Mahathir Mohamad’s wealth came after he left office.
Babangida became a billionaire while still in uniform.
A benevolent autocrat builds a nation. A self-serving one builds personal wealth and leaves his country in ruins. Babangida was the latter.
- The 17 Billion Naira Hypocrisy—A Tribute to Corruption
“The IBB Presidential Library stands as a monument to leadership, governance, and service to Nigeria.” (A Journey in Service, p. 307, para. 2)
When I read this, I laughed. A monument to service? Or a monument to betrayal?
This reminds me of a tyrant who starves his people, then builds a temple to “honor their sacrifices.”
The Donations: Who Paid and Why?
The list of donors reads like a who’s who of Nigeria’s billionaire class. Industrialists, former ministers, ex-governors—all the men who built their empires under military rule.
But why donate?
Loyalty — These men owe their fortunes to Babangida’s patronage.
Future Protection — The oligarchs fund old rulers so that new rulers will protect them.
Erasing Guilt — Donating to a “legacy project” washes away the sins of the past.
Would an average Nigerian earning ₦30,000 a month donate to this library? Of course not. The poor do not fund monuments—they are crushed under them.
- The Rise of Nigerian Industrialists—A Rigged System
“We created an enabling environment where entrepreneurs could thrive.” (A Journey in Service, p. 181, para. 4)
Reading this, I felt a sense of déjà vu. Haven’t we heard this story before?
This reminds me of a rigged horse race, where one competitor starts at the finish line while the rest are chained to the ground.
The truth is simple: Billionaires in Nigeria do not rise by innovation. They rise by state patronage.
The Hidden Hands Behind Nigeria’s Billionaires
Aliko Dangote → Built on import licenses granted by the government.
Abdulsamad Rabiu → Benefitted from trade policies favoring monopolies.
Theophilus Danjuma → Amassed wealth through oil blocks gifted by the state.
Compare this with the rise of Apple, Amazon, or Tesla, companies built through competition and innovation. Nigeria’s economy, however, rewards connections over competence.
This raises a haunting question: Did Babangida “help” these businesses for free? Or was there a hidden price?
- Democracy’s Failure—Why Nigeria Remains a Captured State
“Democracy is the best form of government, but it must be tailored to our realities.” (A Journey in Service, p. 291, para. 3)
This reminds me of a thief explaining why security cameras should be banned.
Babangida does not truly believe in democracy, he believes in a system where power is concentrated in the hands of a few, while the masses remain in perpetual struggle.
The Unholy Alliance of Nigerian Politics
Regardless of party affiliation, ethnicity, or ideology, Nigeria’s elite are united in one goal:
Perpetual domination of the people.
PDP? Controlled by ex-military power brokers.
APC? A reincarnation of the same oligarchy.
Third parties? Crushed before they can grow.
This is why Babangida’s political “children” still thrive. They are part of the same structure, ensuring that power never truly leaves their hands.
The real tragedy? Nigerians still believe they have a choice.
Final Verdict: A Nation Gaslighted, A Tyrant Immortalized
Babangida’s A Journey in Service is not a confession, it is a smokescreen.
This book is not for the people. It is for history, an attempt to frame his legacy as one of “service” rather than manipulation, corruption, and betrayal.
But no library, no monument, no billionaire donation can erase the truth.
“He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.” — George Orwell
Babangida controlled Nigeria’s past. He shaped its present.
But the future? That is up to us.
Epilogue: The Last Laugh
As I close this book, I think of one final image.
A grand library, built with billions. A nation, still struggling with poverty.
And an old man in Minna, smiling as history bends in his favor.
But history is patient. And one day, it will correct itself.
Abayomi Aiyepola writes from Abeokuta, Nigeria.
