If you wake up to be the president of Nigeria,what is the first thing you would do?
Summary: This article explores the responses of young Nigerians at LASUCOM to the question, “If you woke up as the President of Nigeria, what is the first thing you would do?” Through thoughtful, humorous, and sincere answers, the piece highlights public frustrations, dreams for change, and a strong call for accountability, education, and leadership. The writer concludes with personal reflections on the power of youth voices in shaping the nation. Meta Description: A student’s reflective piece capturing street interview responses from LASUCOM on what Nigerians would do if they became president — revealing deep insights on leadership, education, and national transformation from the youth perspective.
Bolanle Olaniyan 
As part of my internship assignment, I was given a thought-provoking topic to explore: “If you wake up as the President of Nigeria, what is the first thing you would do?” At first, I saw it as just another task, but as I engaged people and listened to their thoughts, I realized that this question goes deeper than politics — it taps into people’s hopes, frustrations, and their vision for a better Nigeria.
I conducted the street interview inside Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, a serene and well-structured environment. The calmness of the place allowed me to interact freely with students and passersby without the usual Lagos noise or rush. I approached individuals one by one, explained the topic, and asked for their honest answers. Some people were shy and curious, unsure of what to say at first, but once they started talking, the responses were thoughtful, passionate, and even humorous. There was a lot of laughter — not because they were unserious, but because some responses were creative, and others reflected the irony of our reality as Nigerians.
Among the four persons I interviewed, a few stood out.
One female student gave a very honest and relatable answer. She said that if she woke up as the president, she wouldn’t immediately have any clear or positive thought because she just woke up. That response made everyone around laugh, but then she continued by saying that once she regains clarity, she would focus on making Nigeria a better place. Her plan? Hold conferences to gather advice from citizens, understand the core issues affecting the country, and find practical solutions because, in her words, “the world is all about solutions.”
Another passerby shared that his first move as president would be to work on infrastructure development. He said he would go from state to state, checking for loopholes and listening to the most common complaints from citizens. Based on this, he would come up with direct solutions for each region. His goal was clear: address the root problems and bridge the infrastructure gap across Nigeria.
A third interviewee — a young man — took a more political approach. He admitted he had never thought of becoming the president of Nigeria before, but if the opportunity came, he would start by calling all representatives together to reason and strategize. He believed in implementing policies “from top to bottom,” insisting that Nigeria’s real transformation must begin with leadership and accountability. According to him, if elders and top officials are held responsible and punished for wrongdoing, it would build a culture of integrity and development.
After hearing all these powerful opinions, it was only fair that I shared mine too.
If I were to wake up as the President of Nigeria today, the very first thing I would do is make education compulsory, at least up to the O’Level. I strongly believe that every citizen should be able to read, write, and communicate in English — not because it’s a foreign language, but because it's our official language, and it makes communication and access to information easier. In a country where ignorance is sometimes mistaken for culture, empowering people with basic education is a major step toward national progress.
Beyond that, I would establish poverty alleviation programs to support struggling families and youths. The economic situation in Nigeria is harsh, and many are just trying to survive each day. I would also fund and partner with NGOs doing grassroots work, especially those focused on education, health, and women empowerment. I know I can’t fix everything in one day, but I believe small steps in the right direction matter. My “why” is simple: I want to make Nigeria a better place for both citizens and foreigners. A nation that works for its people is a nation that attracts the world.
This experience changed me in ways I didn’t expect. At first, I saw the assignment as just a simple street interview, but it turned into a moment of deep reflection. Most of the people I interviewed were young — students and youth like myself — and they spoke with so much understanding and sincerity. It made me realize that young people are not ignorant or careless. They are aware of Nigeria’s struggles, and they have valid, often brilliant ideas for change. We are the leaders of today, not just tomorrow, and our voices should be taken seriously.
What stood out to me the most was how almost every response touched on the need for accountability, leadership, and inclusive planning. People don’t just want promises anymore — they want action, transparency, and real development. Even in the jokes and laughter, there was truth. Nigerians are tired, but they still have hope. They are frustrated, but they still dream of a better future.
In conclusion, this interview taught me that leadership is not about position — it’s about vision, responsibility, and listening to people. If we truly want to move Nigeria forward, we must engage, question, reflect, and contribute — just like we did in this interview.
