Nigeria, May 4 -- It is deeply disheartening that decades after Nigeria's return to democracy, the foundational principle of leadership, service to the people, remains grossly misunderstood, if not outright ignored, by many of the country's elected and appointed public officials. From the local government chairmen in rural communities to the lawmakers and array of political appointees strutting in Abuja and all the local and state government capitals, a shameful number of these officeholders see public office not as a call to serve but as a golden opportunity to enrich themselves, their cronies, and their extended families.

The rot is systemic. Public office in Nigeria has, unfortunately, become synonymous with access to wealth. Instead ...