Prominent social impact advocate and leadership figure, Zainab Buba Galadima, has sparked national discussion with a passionate call for Nigerians to reclaim integrity and authenticity in how titles and honors are earned.
In a recent statement shared on LinkedIn, Galadima — a visionary leader, four-time master’s degree holder, and PhD candidate — expressed concern over the growing culture of self-assigned or purchased titles, describing it as a troubling reflection of moral decline.
“Only in Nigeria do we find people attaching titles to their names not because they earned them, but because they desire the recognition that comes with them,” she wrote. “You buy honorary doctorate titles and begin to parade yourself as Doctor. You pay for plaques and awards to be called humanitarian or philanthropist — accolades that were never earned through sacrifice, service, or sweat.”
Galadima lamented that many individuals now prioritize public validation over genuine accomplishment, warning that such attitudes erode the nation’s moral and ethical foundations.
“If I must pay to be honored, then it’s no longer an honor — it’s a purchase,” she emphasized. “True honor is in the process, not the plaque.”
Sharing her personal journey, Galadima highlighted the importance of earning one’s titles through diligence and service. She noted that she holds the title “Honorable” because she won an election against six men, not through appointment or influence. She also carries the title “Ambassador” after being selected by the U.S. Department of State to represent Nigeria — a distinction she called an “earned, international recognition.”
Beyond her professional achievements, Galadima expressed that her greatest honor remains motherhood.
“I am a mother of three beautiful children — a title I carry with the greatest pride, because it came with pain, sacrifice, and unconditional love. That, to me, is the highest honor of all.”
She concluded her message with a rallying call for Nigerians to “bring back the spirit of authenticity, of values, of hard work,” urging that “honor must be earned — never bought.”
The post has since resonated widely across social media, drawing praise from professionals and civic leaders who echo her sentiments about restoring integrity and meritocracy in society.
