NATIONAL TRANSFORMATION: It is Not Them, But Us – Stop The Blame Game By Femi Adebayo
It is easy and mostly convenient to point accusing fingers at neighbours, colleagues, leaders, institutions, or individuals rather than looking within and taking responsibility to ask ourselves what we can do differently. True transformation begins when we stop asking, “Who is responsible?” and start asking, “What can I do?”
Nehemiah provides a powerful example. Despite enjoying a privileged position as the king’s cupbearer, he was deeply concerned about the devastation of Jerusalem. He did not merely criticise those responsible for the broken walls; he prayed, accepted responsibility, mobilised people, and personally led the rebuilding effort. Nehemiah did not become a critic of the broken wall; he became part of its solution. (Nehemiah 1–6)
No nation has ever been built with the blocks of criticism alone. If all we do is identify the mistakes and failures of others without developing a better model or offering a practical alternative, then we are not necessarily better than those we criticise. National transformation requires responsibility, sacrifice, innovation, mentorship, and a willingness to build.
One of the most effective foundations for national transformation is education, both formal and informal. We must deliberately teach the next generation how to avoid the mistakes of the past, develop better systems, cultivate integrity, and create sustainable solutions. Sometimes, transformation begins simply by making our shoulders available for others to stand upon so they can see farther than we did.
In this regard, Ezra could be described as a moral and educational transformer, while Nehemiah was a builder and restorer of broken walls. One helped restore the people through the Word and moral instruction; the other helped restore the physical structures of a broken society. We need both today: people who will transform minds and people who will rebuild broken systems.
Having attended several conferences and leadership gatherings throughout my little journey in life, I have observed that many discussions eventually become arenas of blame. We spend considerable time identifying what is wrong, who caused it, and why others have failed, yet very few people are willing to ask, “What responsibility am I prepared to accept?”
However, I have encountered a man who chose a different path. He deliberately made his shoulders available to more than 10,000 unsuspecting men and women, creating opportunities for them to discover their potential, develop their capacity, and rise to prominence.
Among the beneficiaries of such progressive leadership are individuals who were once low-ranking police officers but are today occupying positions at the highest echelon of their profession – including former and present Inspectors-General of Police. Their stories demonstrate what can happen when a leader chooses to invest in people rather than merely complain about the system.
Imagine what Nigeria could become if every leader who has been given an opportunity deliberately created opportunities for others.
The sacrifice involved in building, mentoring, and moulding the next generation is considerable. It requires time, resources, patience, inconvenience, and sometimes personal sacrifice. Yet it is one of the most rewarding investments anyone can make because the lives we build can outlive us and extend our influence beyond our generation.
Therefore, I challenge every man and woman reading this message to revisit the question Apostle Paul asked after his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus:
“Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” – Acts 9:6
That question shifts the conversation from blame to responsibility, from criticism to contribution, and from observation to action.
I often wonder what Nigeria would look like today if many of those who benefited from free education, scholarships, bursaries, student loans, and other opportunities provided by the Nigerian system had deliberately reinvested a portion of what they received into rebuilding that same system.
Many Nigerians of previous generations benefited from institutions such as Ag Leventis, Kingsway, and other organisations that operated significant commercial and employment structures in the country. Some also benefited from international scholarship programmes and returned to employment opportunities that were already waiting for them. These opportunities contributed significantly to the development of their generation.
The question today is: What are we doing with the opportunities we have received?
National transformation will not happen simply because we identify what is wrong. It will happen when individuals who have benefited from society decide to give something back to society; when leaders deliberately raise other leaders; when professionals mentor younger professionals; when the educated educate others; when the successful create pathways for others to succeed; and when those who have climbed the ladder refuse to pull it up behind them.
It is not them. It is us.
The Nigeria we desire will not be built by spectators, critics, or professional blamers. It will be built by men and women who are willing to pray, think, teach, mentor, sacrifice, build, and take responsibility.
Stop asking who destroyed the wall.
Start asking who is willing to rebuild it.
Our generation may not solve every problem, but we can ensure that the next generation inherits better foundations, better examples, better institutions, and better possibilities than we inherited.
That is the essence of national transformation.
It begins with us.
Pastor Femi Adebayo is the Convener & President of Club Abraham International, a non-denominational fellowship of men developing man value, character and godliness to regenerate the next generation.
He can be reached on: +234-8026269013; +234-8033137585
