President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has revealed that he has made several unsuccessful attempts to author a book. The president made this disclosure on Tuesday, September 30, in Owerri, Imo State, during the public presentation of A Decade of Impactful Progressive Governance in Nigeria, authored by Governor Hope Uzodimma.
The book, which chronicles the ten years of achievements and challenges of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was described by Tinubu as a “gift to Nigeria” for documenting the milestones of a party that came to power through coalition politics and promises of reform.
“To author a book is a very challenging thing. I tried, but I have not succeeded on a number of occasions,” Tinubu said, while commending Uzodimma’s efforts. The president noted that the occasion was not merely a book launch, but also an opportunity to reflect on decades of collective effort and sacrifice in the Nigerian democratic journey.
Addressing the governor directly, Tinubu said, “Good job. Good thinking. A man of great vision. Well done.” His remarks drew applause from the audience as Uzodimma nodded in appreciation. The president further stressed that recording history was essential to nation-building, insisting that “no nation can afford to forget its own journey, and no leader should escape his duty of stewardship.”
Highlighting the APC’s record in office, Tinubu asserted that his administration, now over two years in power, and the APC at large, have played pivotal roles in reshaping Nigeria’s governance trajectory. “The old ways had brought our nation close to collapse. A break from that path was not an option; it was the only way forward. We broke the jinx,” Tinubu declared.
The president noted progress in economic indicators, citing the National Bureau of Statistics’ report of a 4.3 per cent GDP growth in the second quarter of 2025 and a reduction of inflation to 20.12 per cent. “I stand before you with confidence to say that Nigeria is no longer where it was 10 years ago. We promised a change. Today, I can confidently tell you the worst is over,” he said.
The 373-page book was reviewed at the event by Prof. Bennet Nwanguma of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He explained that the foreword was written by former APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. According to him, the book credits Tinubu and other founding figures of the APC for transforming what was once a coalition of small opposition parties into a dominant political force.
Governor Uzodimma, in his remarks, explained that he wrote the book out of a deep curiosity to document the democratic governance journey of the APC in Nigeria. He stressed that his account was factual and unsentimental. “I told the story as it is. No sugar-coating,” Uzodimma said, adding that Tinubu’s role in birthing the APC and leading it to victory over the then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 was pivotal.
He further pledged to distribute copies of the book across party structures at national, state, and ward levels, while also making a digital edition available for wider public access. According to him, the intention was not just to celebrate accomplishments but also to provide future generations with a documented narrative of Nigeria’s evolving democracy.
The book launch was attended by several political figures and stakeholders, underscoring its significance as both a literary and political event. It also provided a platform to revisit the APC’s founding ideals and its trajectory over the past decade.
Beyond the book presentation, President Tinubu also commissioned several development projects executed by Governor Uzodimma’s administration in Imo State. These included infrastructural works designed to improve road networks, public services, and urban renewal within the state.
Observers note that Tinubu’s candid admission about his struggles with writing underscored the challenges of documenting history from a leader’s perspective, while his praise for Uzodimma highlighted the importance of preserving political legacies through books. For many in attendance, the event served as both a reflection on Nigeria’s democratic journey and a reminder of the duty of leaders to preserve history for posterity.
