Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that Nigeria will not move forward until it stops choosing its leaders based on tribe, religion, language and other narrow sentiments.

Jonathan gave the warning on Saturday at the Herbert Macaulay Colloquium in Lagos, held to mark the 162nd anniversary of the birth of the nationalist pioneer.

The warning is coming as the country and its citizens prepare to elect a new set of leaders come 2027.

He described the present way Nigeria picks its leaders as primitive, saying the country will continue to struggle with development if it does not abandon it.

According to him, Nigerians must begin to put competence and merit above religious and ethnic considerations when choosing those who will lead them.

The former president also listed corruption, insecurity, weak institutions, poor infrastructure and poor education as major problems holding Nigeria back.

He said until the country deals with these challenges and changes how it selects leaders, real progress will remain difficult.

Jonathan urged Nigerians, especially the younger generation, to learn from Herbert Macaulay, who he said fought for a united Nigeria above tribal and religious lines.

“Nigeria will continue to struggle with development until it abandons what he described as primitive methods of selecting political leaders based on religion, ethnicity, language and other narrow considerations,” Jonathan said.