OP‑ED: The Real Global Problem Isn’t Military Might – It’s Leadership and the Ideas That Shape Nations.

The news as it trends.

OP-ED – Yetunde Babajide.

The Headliners: U.S. Leadership, Global Power, & Nigeria’s Future

The problem facing the world today is not simply about which nation has the strongest military. It is about how the United States chooses its leaders, and how those choices shape global stability.

In a world where American decisions ripple far beyond its borders, even non‑U.S. citizens must pay attention to the U.S. election cycle. The leadership America selects can influence everything from global security to economic stability.

History shows that whenever the U.S. elects leaders who prioritize aggressive foreign policy, the result is often chaos, escalation, and a renewed push for global dominance.

Speaking not only as an African but also as an American, I understand why some analysts argue that countries like Nigeria should build stronger military capacity. That argument has merit – every nation has the right to defend itself.

But African history also shows that African nations do not wage wars against one another the way global powers do. Our conflicts in Nigeria, for example, are often internal, fueled by ideology, poverty, and political manipulation, not by cross‑border ambitions.

And this is where the deeper issue lies: the ideology that treats books as dangerous, education as suspicious, and modern civilization as corrupt.

When a society begins to believe that learning is “haram,” it weakens itself from the inside.

It becomes easier for extremism to spread, easier for young people to be radicalized, and easier for politicians to weaponize insecurity during election cycles.

This is also why a functioning justice system matters. A nation cannot build stability when individuals who reject education, embrace book‑burning ideology, or openly attack modern institutions are rewarded with amnesty.

Granting leniency to those who see knowledge as a threat is not reconciliation – it is an existential danger to national development.

A real system of law and order is essential, because without accountability, extremism becomes emboldened and the social fabric begins to tear.

In addition, Nigeria cannot fix this by pouring three‑quarters of its national budget into military expansion while other essential sectors collapse.

A nation cannot build true strength by investing only in weapons while neglecting education, electricity, healthcare, and economic opportunity.

It is like a business spending all its money on advertising while the shelves remain empty – loud on the outside, empty on the inside.

No one is saying Nigeria should not maintain a capable military. Every nation needs security. But the real battle Nigeria must fight is ideological, not military.

You cannot heal a society by covering the wound with more guns. You heal it by addressing the root causes:

• Education must be prioritized, not feared
• Books must be embraced, not treated as forbidden
• Children must be in school, not left vulnerable to indoctrination
• Electricity must be reliable, so productivity can grow
• Economic opportunity must expand, so desperation declines
• Social programs must reduce inequality, not deepen it

Look at the United States. Despite being a multicultural society with many religions and ethnic groups, it does not collapse into internal war every election cycle. Why? Because the system forces education to be a priority. Children must attend school.

Parents who refuse can face legal consequences. The society understands that an uneducated population becomes a threat, while an educated population becomes stable, productive, and peaceful.

Nigeria and Africa as a whole – does not need to compete with the United States militarily. That is neither realistic nor necessary. What Africa needs is a revolution of the mind, not a race for weapons.

True national strength comes from educated citizens, stable institutions, and a society where peace is built from the ground up, not from the barrel of a gun.

About the Author

Yetunde Babajide is an activist entrepreneur, political analyst, and advocate whose work focuses on the intersections of race, power, and governance – and how these forces shape the lives of everyday people.

She frequently addresses issues of inequality in America, including housing injustice, homelessness, and economic decline, while also examining how global power structures influence local realities.

She holds a BA in Politics from New York University, an MBA from St. John’s University, and a dual MS/MSW in Policy Practice from Columbia University, specializing in economic policy and advocacy. Her training reflects a deep commitment to understanding both the social and economic dimensions of public policy.

In addition to her formal degrees, she has participated in multiple academic programs at Yale University, engaging in advanced study and professional development. These experiences broadened her exposure to public leadership, institutional analysis, and the ethical foundations of governance.

Her education and experience equip her to analyze U.S. global influence, institutional power, and the ways these forces shape outcomes across sectors such as healthcare, public administration, and social policy. As a public sector analyst, she brings a sharp, informed perspective to conversations about governance, inequality, and global stability.