The need for strong institutions, urgent re-definition of leadership recruitment process and critical re-examination of Nigeria’s leadership structure, formed the core of discussions at the debut Quarterly Business Seminar of the University of Lagos Business School (ULBS).
Held at the Tayo Aderinokun Hall of UNILAG on Friday, March 21, 2025, the ambience was intellectually charged as keynote speakers: Dr. Tunde Bakare (General Overseer, Citadel Global Community Church) and Dr. Oby Ezekwesili (CEO, Human Capital Africa) took turns to speak on the theme of the seminar: Strategic Leadership and Wealth of Nations: The Nexus.
In his presentation, Dr. Tunde Bakare adopted an historical approach to Nigeria’s leadership trajectory describing it as abysmally poor especially when compared with Nigeria’s huge natural deposits and human resources.
The 1980 UNILAG Law alumnus took the gathering through the phases of leadership which Africa has experienced combing through her precolonial to the colonial and post-colonial sojourn, and how each leadership culture has influenced the continent’s governance and developmental strides.
According to the cleric, “a country as richly endowed as Nigeria should be leading Africa’s development trajectory, yet we find ourselves struggling to compete with less-resourced Sub-Saharan economies. 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”.
As a way out of the quagmire, Dr. Bakare advocated clear vision and clean virtues to form critical components of leadership recruitment. He also solicited long term visions anchored on sound value systems and ethical governance, plurality of leadership to guarantee inclusion, representation which lays emphasizes on only the best, the brightest, the fittest and most competent as well as strong emphasis on human capacity building.
Dr Bakare also stressed the need for “a generation of motivators who can inspire and awaken citizens to the continent’s amazing possibilities, a league of maestros who will build institutions, conduct governance effectively and lead nations skillfully and systematically as well as a crop of transgenerational leaders and nation-builders who think not of the next election but of the next generation”.
The second keynote speaker, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, in her presentation, explored an economic angle to the theme. She questioned the sincerity of the government’s intention in building the much needed inclusive and collaborative atmosphere which will in turn, support both the public and private sectors to deliver the much needed national development.
The UNILAG Alumnae decried what she called the criminal hijacking of all means and measures of production in Nigeria, a development which she described as inimical to the desired creation of national wealth.
The former minister also expressed deep reservations over the prevalent culture of misplaced priorities, widening impunity, continued brain drain and weakening global standing, challenges which she said, must be addressed through proactive measures with a view to restoring public trust and enabling effective governance driven by people of unquestionable character, competence and capacity.
The panel session for the seminar was anchored by the Ogun State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Mr. Olaolu Olabimtan during which stakeholders shared expressed their thoughts on the theme.
Comments from the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, and Chief (Dr.) Olusegun Osunkeye, CON, OFR, all tilted towards the need for solution oriented leadership as well as mentoring of young minds with a view to entrenching a culture of quality followership.
Earlier in her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola OON, FAS, described the ULBS Business Seminar as part of the University’s offerings in providing platforms where issues of national importance are dissected and tangible solutions proffered.
Prof. Ogunsola who spoke through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics and Research, Professor Bola Oboh, said UNILAG prides itself as an epicenter of ideas and innovation that address real time challenges.
In their separate remarks, the Executive Director of ULBS, Professor Mike Adebamowo and the Chairman of ULBS Advisory Board, Mrs Funke Osibodu said the Business Seminar, being the first in its series was put together for the purpose of generating innovative ideas for effective leadership in the private and public sectors of the nation.
They noted that the special seminar will help deepen public understanding of strategic leadership and inspire leaders in both the public and private sectors to adopt a more strategic approach in their roles thereby fostering both the wealth and inclusive prosperity for the nation.
Report: Gbenga Gbelee
Photography: Ayomide Oloyede
