Stakeholders have emphasised the need for strong institutions, urgent re-definition of leadership process and critical re-examination of Nigeria’s leadership structure.
These formed part of the recommendations made at the maiden Quarterly Business Seminar of the University of Lagos Business School (ULBS). General Overseer, Citadel Global Community Church, Dr Tunde Bakare, and Chief Executive Officer, Human Capital Africa, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, who were keynote speakers at the event, lamented the economic hardship in the country, calling for urgent action from all concerned.
At the event, themed: ‘Strategic leadership and wealth of nations: The nexus,’ Bakare noted that despite the rich history of the country, it was still struggling to compete with less-resourced Sub-Saharan economies. Bakare said a country as richly endowed as Nigeria should be leading Africa’s development trajectory, and not struggling to stay afloat.
“The reality is that many Nigerians today face economic hardship, businesses are struggling to survive in a difficult environment, and poverty remains widespread. These challenges underscore the gap between what Nigeria could be and what it currently is,” he said.
As a way out, Bakare advocated long term visions anchored on sound value systems and ethical governance to guarantee inclusion and emphasis on human capital development. He also emphasised the need for a generation of motivators who can inspire and awaken citizens to the continent’s amazing possibilities .
“The issues afflicting our nation are fundamental in scale and historical in scope. They strike at the core of our socio-political culture, governance structure, and institutional architecture,” he said.
Ezekwesili, on her part, emphasised the need for visionary leadership in the form of Lee Yew of Singapore, to build a sustainable economic system. According to the former minister, one of the key characteristics of strategic leadership is the ability to articulate and pursue a long-term vision that transcends short-term political or economic pressures.
She faulted the prevalent culture of misplaced priorities, widening impunity, continued brain drain and weakening global standing of the country Ezekwesili said the challenges must be addressed through proactive measures to restore public trust and enabling effective governance driven by people of unquestionable character, competence and capacity.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, described the ULBS seminar series as an avenue to offer a platform where issues of national importance are dissected and tangible solutions proffered.
According to Ogunsola, who spoke through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics and Research, Prof. Bola Oboh, UNILAG prides itself as an epicentre of ideas and innovation that addresses real time challenges.
In their separate remarks, the Executive Director of ULBS, Prof. Mike Adebamowo, and Chairman of ULBS Advisory Board, Mrs Funke Osibodu, said the event was put together for the purpose of generating innovative ideas for effective leadership in the private and public sectors of the nation.