In a time when social media often prioritizes style over substance, one moment reminded us what truly matters in public discourse. Senator Kawu Sumaila recently appeared on Channels Television to share his thoughts on national issues. But instead of engaging with the serious points he raised, many Nigerians online chose to mock his English and accent.
That response says more about us than it does about him.
The truth is, Senator Sumaila’s message was clear. He spoke from the heart about governance, development, and representation. He communicated with sincerity—and he was understood. But sadly, some ignored all of that and reduced the conversation to how he pronounced a few words.
We need to remind ourselves: communication isn’t a performance. It’s not about having a “perfect” accent or polished grammar. It’s about being heard and understood. Senator Sumaila achieved that, and in doing so, he fulfilled the very purpose of communication.
Let’s face it—English is not our mother tongue. Nigeria has over 500 languages, and for most of us, English is our second or even third language. Judging someone’s intelligence or leadership based on how “polished” their English sounds is not only unfair—it’s rooted in a colonial mindset we should have left behind long ago.
Accents are normal. They reflect where we come from, not how smart we are. From India to Brazil to South Africa, people speak English with their local flavor, and that doesn’t make their thoughts any less powerful. Senator Sumaila’s Hausa accent doesn’t take anything away from the weight of his message. In fact, it connects him more deeply to the people he represents.
Think about the founding fathers of Nigeria—Sir Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo. None of them spoke the Queen’s English. But their words moved a nation. They led with vision, not vocabulary. And that’s the spirit Senator Sumaila represents.
As someone who understands communication, I can tell you: the real measure of a good communicator isn’t grammar—it’s clarity and connection. Senator Sumaila wasn’t trying to impress anyone. He was speaking up for his people. And that’s leadership.
The mocking he faced online reveals an elitist mindset—one that looks down on anyone who doesn’t speak like a foreign newscaster. In a country where education is still out of reach for many, making fun of someone’s English is a cheap shot. It builds nothing, it adds nothing—it just divides.
More worrying is what this attitude tells young Nigerians: that their voices only matter if they sound “refined.” That’s dangerous. We should be encouraging people to speak up, not shaming them into silence.
We’ve reached a point where we critique politicians’ accents more than their policies. If we put half as much energy into demanding accountability as we do into mocking grammar, Nigeria would be in a much better place.
Senator Sumaila stood tall—not because of flawless speech, but because he had something to say and the courage to say it. That deserves respect.
So let’s look beyond the accent. Let’s focus on the message. Let’s start listening—really listening—to what our leaders are saying, instead of how they say it.
Because at the end of the day, substance should matter more than style.
Lamido Abubakar wrote this from Kano
