Nigeria’s former Speaker of the House of Representatives and ex-Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has delivered a sobering assessment of the nation’s state, declaring that Nigeria is “in peril” and urgently in need of collective salvation.

Tambuwal made the remarks on Saturday during a high-profile colloquium held to mark his 60th birthday, an event he insisted should go beyond celebration and instead confront the harsh realities facing the country.

Speaking before an audience that included former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, Peter Obi, diplomats, academics, and political leaders, Tambuwal said the current condition of Nigeria falls far below the hopes of those who fought for and laid the foundation of the nation’s democracy.

“Whether we like it or not, where we are today is unfortunate. This is not where we expected to be,” he said.

According to him, many of Nigeria’s founding democratic figures — both living and deceased — would be deeply disappointed by the present state of governance, insecurity, economic hardship, and leadership failure.

Tambuwal stressed that Nigeria’s challenges are not partisan and cannot be resolved by political parties alone. Instead, he called for a national consensus that something is fundamentally wrong with how the country is being governed.

“Our country is in peril, and we are looking for salvation, and it is a collective process,” he declared, drawing loud applause from the audience.

He warned that unless Nigerians take responsibility for demanding good governance, the country risks a cycle where “the worst continue to replace the bad” in public offices.

The former Speaker also used the occasion to reaffirm his personal commitment to democratic values, saying that at 60, he has reached an age where neutrality and silence are no longer options.

“I must recommit myself to walking with every Nigerian who believes in enthroning good democratic governance in this country,” Tambuwal said.

Notably, Tambuwal revealed that he had never celebrated his birthday in the past and only agreed to the event on the condition that it would not be a mere merry-making, but a platform to discuss Nigeria’s future and pathways to national renewal.

The colloquium, which focused on good governance and people-centered leadership, stirred up quite a buzz in political circles, with some describing it as a timely warning while others saw it as a call to action. Either way, it sparked real debate, especially with elections looming and alliances shifting.

The country is grappling with economic struggles, growing insecurity, and widespread distrust in leadership. Yet, Tambuwal spoke bluntly, emphasizing that real change requires accountability from everyone, leaders and citizens to step up and own their part.