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I was told to expect arrogance.
For years, I had heard similar descriptions of him: selfish, self-centred, egotistical and a man of questionable character. I neither accepted nor dismissed these opinions. Having never met him, I wanted to see for myself whether the man I had heard about was truly the man he was.
Then came the opportunity to meet him.
We waited a few minutes before he received us, but his first words were an apology for keeping us waiting. It was a simple gesture, yet it stayed with me. He welcomed us warmly, gave us his time and listened attentively to what we had to say.
The man I met was different from the man I had imagined. He came across as humble, attentive and aware of his responsibilities.
That encounter made me reflect on how easily we form opinions about people we barely know. We hear stories, accept other people’s interpretations and gradually turn assumptions into convictions. In politics, where family backgrounds, loyalties and public narratives often shape perceptions, this happens even more frequently.
I am not suggesting that one meeting reveals a person’s entire character. A pleasant encounter cannot replace an objective assessment of someone’s actions or public record. However, it reminded me of an important truth: we can be completely convinced about someone and still know very little about them.
How many people have we dismissed without listening to them? How often have we allowed rumours to speak louder than facts?
Being open-minded does not mean abandoning our principles. It means being fair enough to question our assumptions and humble enough to accept that our first impressions may be wrong.
Beyond the Meeting: The Nigeria We Must Build
Our conversation went beyond pleasantries. We spoke about our one and only beloved country, Nigeria; our shared commitment to nation-building; national sovereignty; and the future our generation hopes to inherit and help shape.
One conviction stood out to me: Nigeria must mean more to us than the patriotic words we speak. If we genuinely believe this country belongs to all of us, we must move beyond blaming one another and begin asking what we can build together.
How do we strengthen our institutions, expand economic opportunities and create a country where every citizen can live with dignity, regardless of religion, ethnicity or background?
I believe young Nigerians must become active participants in nation-building. We cannot build a better country through complaints and social media arguments alone. We must develop useful skills, create businesses, generate employment and contribute meaningfully to our communities.
This is a principle I have tried to put into practice. Through a platform I created, I have brought together professors, doctors, students and ordinary villagers to exchange ideas, listen to one another and work towards practical solutions. This experience has taught me that when people are heard and their ideas taken seriously, meaningful progress becomes possible.
Nation-building does not happen only in government offices. It also happens when young people create businesses, communities work together to solve problems and citizens choose cooperation over division.
We cannot demand a better Nigeria while refusing to participate in the work of building one.
Leadership, Youth and the Responsibility Ahead
During our conversation, he told me that he admired my courage and said that he liked me. There is something deeply encouraging about being heard and appreciated, particularly as a young person. It reminds you that your voice matters.
It also made me reflect on the relationship Nigeria needs between its leaders and younger generation. Imagine a country where young people are taken seriously, their ideas are judged on merit and opportunities depend more on ability and commitment than on connections.
Our generation does not need leaders who agree with everything we say. We need leaders who listen, engage honestly and create opportunities for meaningful participation. In return, we must bring competence, discipline, fresh ideas and a genuine willingness to serve.
As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, this responsibility becomes even more important. We must look beyond political labels, examine records, scrutinise policies and demand accountability from everyone seeking public office.
A positive personal encounter should not automatically make us supporters of someone, just as criticism should not automatically make us their enemies. I valued my meeting with this man, but I remain convinced that any judgement about his suitability for public responsibility must be based on his record, principles, decisions and plans for Nigeria.
Our future depends not only on the leaders we choose but also on the standards we demand and the contributions we make as citizens.
The Lesson I Took Away
Looking back, the most important lesson was not simply that the man I met differed from the man I had imagined. It was the realisation that I had formed such a strong opinion about someone I had never met.
I arrived carrying other people’s descriptions. I left with a reason to question my own assumptions.
The meeting did not answer every question I had about him, nor was it supposed to. It simply reminded me that fairness begins with listening and that sound judgement requires more than rumours or a single personal encounter.
Perhaps this is one of the changes Nigeria needs most: a generation willing to question assumptions without abandoning its principles, disagree without hatred, judge leaders through evidence and accept responsibility for the country’s future.
Before deciding who a person is, let us seek the facts and give ourselves the opportunity to listen. Before demanding a better country, let us also ask what we are doing to make it possible.
Building the Nigeria we dream of begins not only with the leaders we choose, but also with the way we think, how we treat one another and the responsibility we are willing to carry.
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