Ex UNILAG VC Calls for Centre of Excellence in Leadership 

The immediate-past Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe,  has called on President Bola Tinubu to consider setting up a Research Centre of Excellence in  Leadership.

He said such centre could be sited in reputable Nigerian federal university, that would be known as ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu Centre of Excellence for Leadership and Governance Research. 

Ogundipe gave the advice at the 60th birthday lecture and book presentation of Sen. (Dr) Michael Opeyemi Bamidele recently in Abuja.

Delivering the lecture with the theme ‘Leadership Challenges in Modern Societies’, Ogundipe described Tinubu as an enigma, a philosophy, an ideology and a complex personality whose  trajectory needs to be committed to intensive research for understanding, learning, replication, preparation of future leaders, as well as contributing to building quality literature on African Leadership.

He added that Tinubu’s leadership quality should be imbibed by leaders of today’s generation for the unborn generation to have access.

The professor of Botany said the centre of excellence would also provide opportunities for multidisciplinary research on different leadership patterns, management and governance issues across the world, whether public or private sector, in such a way that knowledge would be preserved.

He said it should be preserved in such a way that both masters and doctoral programmes could be developed from the centre.

According to him, throughout civilization, citizens face difficult socio-economic and political realities that needed individuals who are competent, passionate, fearless, imaginative, bold and inventive to lead them through every step of the era.

He added that some countries have been able to effectively change their trajectories, with the appropriate leadership, but that other countries have remained helpless because they are yet to find those individuals who can turn their fortunes around. 

“It has been argued, repeatedly, over the years that Nigeria, like other African countries, has fallen short of its potential because of a lack of leadership to address current governance difficulties, in spite of the vast resources available in the region. 

“As Rodney puts it, “Africa is well endowed with mineral and primary energy resources”. Africa is home to nine per cent of the world’s population, with abundant value of mineral production. However, this has not yet translated into prosperity and development for its populace. The reason may not be farfetched. The fact that we live in a dynamic, complicated, and constantly changing world requires good and innovative leaders to help African citizens navigate the complexities,” he said. 

Ogundipe added that through policies that support job growth, income redistribution, and social mobility, leaders must strive to  address the various outlined challenges bedeviling the society and work to build a more equal one.

”Political instability can result from failing to address these problems and eroding public confidence in government. 

“Inorder to exercise effective leadership, one must also execute strategies that support small and medium-sized businesses, stimulate innovation, and create a competitive business climate.

“Social welfare programmes that protect disadvantaged groups, such as unemployment compensation, access to healthcare and educational opportunities, must be prioritised by leaders,” he said. 

To maintain economic stability, he said leaders must also encourage inclusive development and lessen inequality and make wise choices.

Ogundipe emphasised the need for leaders to also subject themselves to accountability to their people and citizens, in a bid to ensure their continuous support and confidence. 

“To repair the present trust deficits between the leaders and the led, deliberate intention and coordinated programmes that will show the sincerity of our leaders must be deployed to create the desirable positive impacts for the society. 

“I have no doubt in my mind that the present crop of leaders are more than capable to deliver these value. As we celebrate our own brother, Distinguished Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, I wish him well and the entire leadership of our great nation a safe journey in the present political dispensation,” he said.

He added that to lessen the effects of economic instability and address structural inequality, leaders must also take into account macroeconomic issues, fiscal policies, monetary policies, and social welfare programmes, adding that it was satisfying to see an end to the multiple exchange rates and widely known failing fuel subsidy regime that were harming the economy and benefitting a select few people at the expense of the entire nation.

“To change that, you needed a bold and daring leader. Though, the outcomes have been very painful, but this will only be for a while, for the benefits outweighs the pain. However, our leaders must respond very quickly to the yearnings of the citizen, listen to their cries and deploy workable solutions to their immediate needs in order to strengthen their supports for these inevitable reforms,” he said.  

According to him, there is also the need to reduce environmental effect and promote long-term sustainability. He added that there was also the need for leaders to advocate for sustainable practises in industries, including agriculture, energy, transportation, and industry. 

Ogundipe said that Nigeria had the ability to improve renewable energy sources and lessen reliance on fossil fuels, by investing in renewable energy technologies like solar, wind, and hydropower because it is an energy-rich nation.

The don ephasised the need for leaders in the country to coordinate community education initiatives, spread knowledge about environmental concerns and encourage residents to take up active roles in sustainable practises that would stem the daunting challenges of climate change.

He added that in order to guarantee responsibility for sustainable development projects, leaders must also set up systems for tracking the development of environmental initiatives.

Ogundipe said that setting up specific goals, gathering information and doing data analysis were all part of this. 

“Leaders must keep enterprises, government organisations and other stakeholders responsible for their environmental obligations,” he stated.