Former President Muhammadu Buhari observed that Nigerians are excessively influenced by materialism.
Buhari attributed difficulties in garnering support during his 2003, 2007, and 2011 presidential campaigns to the prevalent emphasis on material success. He remarked, "Nigeria, believe it or not, we're an underdeveloped country.
We get so impressed by our material things, and sometimes ruthlessly don't care how you make the money…you should be rich, have a fantastic house, flashy cars, going overseas regularly."
Recounting his struggles during three unsuccessful presidential attempts, Buhari noted the challenges of gaining support when material success seemed to outweigh recognition for initiatives benefiting the less privileged.
Despite eventually winning the presidency in 2015, Buhari acknowledged that he fell short of achieving all his goals within his tenure, prompting reflection on the complex interplay of values in Nigerian politics.
