In this reflective piece, I examines the recent confrontation between FCT Minister and naval officer in Abuja drawing out broader lessons on arrogance, discipline, and the meaning of true leadership in a society where power is too often mistaken for wisdom.
What transpired between the cocky old man and young cultured naval officer has become more than a viral incident; it is a mirror reflecting a broader crisis of conduct among many who hold authority in Nigeria.
The video of the encounter between a minister shouting orders and a naval officer standing firm yet respectful encapsulates two contrasting cultures: one of noise, and another of discipline. On one side stood a political figure who believes his position grants him unrestrained power. On the other stood an officer trained to obey lawful orders and respect the chain of command. The clash was not just personal; it was institutional, symbolic, and deeply revealing.
Lesson One: Authority is Not Loudness
True authority does not shout. It does not insult or intimidate. It persuades, commands respect, and builds confidence. The idea that a political appointment automatically makes one a master of all others is one of the most dangerous misconceptions in our public service. The Abuja incident demonstrates how some officeholders mistake volume for value and aggression for strength. Leadership is not about display, it is about restraint.
Lesson Two: Respect Is Earned, Not Enforced
The naval officer’s calmness under pressure was a silent sermon in civility. He stood his ground, obeyed his orders, and remained loyal to his institution, the very essence of disciplined service. In contrast, the Minister’s reaction betrayed insecurity, not strength. Those who truly understand authority know that respect flows from character, not coercion. When leaders demand submission instead of earning respect, they expose the fragility of their own legitimacy.
Lesson Three: Institutions Matter More Than Individuals
Both politics and the military are colonial imports to Africa, alien systems designed originally to serve empire, not community. Yet the military, through hierarchy and order, retains some internal discipline, while our political class often drifts toward chaos. The problem is not the structures themselves but the people who inhabit them. When institutions are weaker than personalities, societies decay. The naval officer reminded us that obedience to process is what keeps the nation’s fabric intact.
Lesson Four: Arrogance is the First Sign of Decay
When those in power begin to think they are untouchable, they stop listening, learning, and improving. Arrogance isolates leaders from reality and blinds them to consequence. It creates the illusion of invincibility until reality humbles them. Every public officeholder should remember: today’s shouting minister can easily become tomorrow’s forgotten headline.
Lesson Five: The Nation Needs Decency, Not Drama
Nigerians are weary of leaders who perform outrage instead of delivering service. Governance should not resemble a Nollywood set. What citizens want is calm competent leaders who solve problems, not those who manufacture spectacles. Every outburst from a public official chips away at the dignity of the office they occupy.
In the end, the young naval officer stood taller not because of rank, but because of conduct. His composure represented the quiet power of discipline; his restraint, the moral weight of professionalism. The Minister’s behaviour, on the other hand, offered a cautionary tale to all who believe they are almighty in their workplaces, offices, or communities.
As an African adage says, “The cock that crows too loudly often forgets the knife is waiting at dawn.” This is a good lesson to all who think they can use power to muscle people. It is good to note that power without humility is just noise. And noise, no matter how loud, never commands respect.
Nuraddeen Danjuma
Bayero University Kano
13/11/2025
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not in anyway or necessarily reflect the view of GLOBAL TRACKER.