In Nigeria today, a man’s value is no longer measured by the problems he solves, but by the length of the title in front of his name.
We have built a society where “Dr.”, “Chief”, “Hon.”, “Otunba”, “Amb.”, “Comrade”, “Engr.”, “Alhaji” have become armor. Armor for empty chests. Armor that hides a terrifying truth: many of our titled men and women cannot solve the problems that titles were originally created to fix.
1. We worship the container, not the content
A university degree was meant to prove you can think. A chieftaincy title was meant to prove you serve. A political rank was meant to prove you deliver. But somewhere along the line, we reversed it. Now the title is the destination.
Young graduates spend 10 years chasing “PhD” so they can be called “Doctor” in their village, while the village still has no clean water. Men buy chieftaincy titles for ₦5m and wear agbada to commission a borehole that dries up in 3 months. Politicians collect “Executive” before their name, then cannot execute a single streetlight project.
We clap for the wrapper, and ignore the gift inside.
2. Pride without proof
Drive through any Nigerian city and you’ll see it: car stickers screaming “Ambassador”, “Special Adviser to SA on SDGs”, “National President”, “Grand Patron”. Shoulders squared. Ego inflated.
But ask: “What problem have you solved this year?” Silence.
“Which community is better because of you?” More silence.
“Show me one life changed by your title.” Crickets.
Nigeria is full of men with 12 titles and 0 solutions. Women with plaques on their wall and potholes in front of their house. We have Chiefs who cannot settle a land dispute. Pastors with “Apostle General” who cannot counsel a broken marriage. Engineers without a single building standing.
Pride has replaced proof. Ego has replaced evidence.
3. The cost of title worship
This habit is expensive. Expensive for the nation.
When we promote titles over brains, we push problem-solvers to the background. The welder who can fix NEPA transformers is ignored because he’s “just a technician.” The woman in the market who feeds 200 families daily is dismissed because she’s “just a trader.” The NYSC corper who built an app for farmers is overlooked because he’s “just a corper.”
Meanwhile, we hand microphones, contracts, and decisions to men whose only qualification is a borrowed robe and a certificate from a “university” in Benin Republic.
The result? A nation of ceremonies without impact. Conferences without conclusions. Policies without performance.
4. The bull we must take by the horn
If Nigeria will rise, we must kill this idolatry of titles.
Let us start measuring men by their “problem-solving CV”, not their title CV.
Let chieftaincy titles be earned through community projects, not bank transfers.
Let political appointments go to those who can show results, not just relationships.
Let us respect the mechanic who keeps buses running more than the “Special Assistant” who keeps only his mouth running.
A title should be a report card of service, not a disguise for emptiness.
The hard truth:
When history is written, nobody will remember how many titles you collected. They will remember how many lives you lifted. They will remember if the road in front of your house was fixed. If the children in your street went to school. If the hospital you commissioned actually had drugs.
So to every Nigerian reading this: before you add another title to your name, add another solution to your community. Before you demand “Sir”, demand results from yourself.
Because a nation of titled fools will always be colonized by untitled thinkers.
Nigeria does not need more “High Chiefs.” Nigeria needs high-impact citizens.
Let the day come when we rate brains above badges. Solutions above syllables. Service above status.
That day, Nigeria will finally take the bull by the horn.
Feedback: kdrexafricanchild@gmail.com
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