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Colloquium Calls for Serious Interrogation of Governance
A colloquium convened by businessman and politician Adeola Layeni-Dawodu was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, calling for a more intellectually grounded approach to political participation and governance discussions in Nigeria.
The event, which took place on September 27, 2026, carried the theme “Renewed Hope, Real Progress: Highlighting the Achievements of the Tinubu Administration and Building a Stronger Tomorrow Together.”
Layeni-Dawodu stated that the initiative was driven by a desire to create a platform where issues of governance could be discussed beyond rallies, slogans, and political personalities. He emphasized that politics is often discussed through these superficial means, but governance itself deserves a more serious interrogation.
Focus on Administrative Reforms and Policy
Speaking on the motivation behind the event, Layeni-Dawodu said he believed President Tinubu’s administration has undertaken significant reforms across the economy, infrastructure, agriculture, education, housing, energy, and social investment. He felt there was value in creating a platform where those issues could be examined.
The colloquium was designed to encourage informed public discourse and document conversations around the first three years of the administration. Layeni-Dawodu noted that the event intended to demonstrate that political support can coexist with constructive questioning and accountability.
Competence, relevance, and experience were the major considerations for choosing speakers, who included academics, policy practitioners, political actors, and professionals, according to Layeni-Dawodu.
Democratic Participation and Accountability
Layeni-Dawodu called for a broader understanding of democratic participation, noting that political supporters should be able to scrutinize and evaluate policies. He stated the initiative aimed to create a platform for discussing governance beyond rallies, slogans, and political personalities.
While Layeni-Dawodu said he was encouraged by the quality of participation, he emphasized that the work is not finished. He argued that a successful colloquium should create more questions and responsibility rather than implying everything has been solved.
The gathering sought to establish a framework for evaluating the current administration's progress through detailed policy analysis rather than partisan debate.
