Former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has lamented Nigeria’s persistent leadership deficit, describing it as the major obstacle to national development.
Talking in Abuja during the public launch of a book titled *”Transformative Leadership in Practice” authored by Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, to mark his 60th birthday Jega commended the author’s excellent leadership at NILDS.
He clarified that the book presents “empirical evidence that transformative leadership is not theoretical it works,” quoting Sulaiman’s very own success, including a 60% increase in staff, scanning more than 1,300 bills, and the roll out of over 700 training programs, and completing the institute’s long-standing project for its headquarters.
Jega, a professor of political science, added that the reform agenda in Nigeria starts with how the mindset and ethics of leaders are changed. “We can no longer bemoan weak institutions and pay mediocracy and patronage. Leadership must be service-oriented, not self-orientated,” he asserted.
Prior President Goodluck Jonathan, through his erstwhile Attorney-General Muhammed Bello Adoke (SAN), eulogized Sulaiman’s legacy as a visionary public administrator whose tenure as Minister of National Planning brought professionalism and accountability to governance.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, through his aide Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, also praised Sulaiman’s “visionary and mentoring leadership,” declaring that he had transformed NILDS into a real policy and legislative think tank.
Sulaiman was described by a former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, as “a reformer who moved ideas into action,” while the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, referred to him as “a moral leader who reflects empathy, discipline, and simplicity.”.
In his vote of thanks, Prof. Sulaiman thanked his well-wishers and hinted at his desire to contest for the governorship of Kwara State, promising to remain a voice in favor of change-driven and ethics-based leadership in the public sector.
