Founder of the GOTNI Leadership Centre, Dr. Linus Okorie, has attributed Nigeria’s weak institutional growth and low productivity to the nation’s inability to elect leaders with a clear vision and a commitment to transformational change.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday ahead of the forthcoming National Leadership Conference, scheduled for September 5 and 6, Okorie said Nigeria’s leadership crisis is largely a product of neglecting leadership development and mindset transformation.

He emphasised the need for a deliberate effort to establish a new leadership culture in Nigeria, noting that weak leadership poses a significant challenge to the nation’s institutional growth and productivity.

Okorie noted that many young people and leaders have embraced positive values as a result of engaging with their sessions, choosing to remain on the path of doing what is right.

He lamented that businesses, government institutions, and even the media often deprioritise training and leadership programmes, cutting their budgets for such initiatives first during tough times.
He noted that achieving lasting change requires massive investment in leadership development.

He said: “In America, for instance, the system makes it possible for everyone to practice volunteerism. There is a budget for leadership training in secondary schools, in universities, and even in counties. Businesses also set aside funds for leadership development.

“How many businesses in Nigeria have a budget for leadership training? When times are tough, the first budgets to be cut are those for research and training, while all other components remain intact. This is why the country is where it is today, because we do not value training, mindset investment, or transformation.

“Why is it that we are still having issues when it comes to leadership of the government in Nigeria? And I’m going to say to you that one of the reasons is that we have not been able to elect leaders with clear visions that can take us to the next level.

He questioned the situation in Nigeria, where such investments are rarely prioritised.

Okorie expressed concern over the lack of interest from key sectors, including the media, in leadership programmes designed to reshape thinking and inspire innovation.

The two-day conference, themed “Transforming Minds and Inspiring Results,” will host global speakers including Coriath Block (Europe), Professor P.L.O. Lumumba (Kenya), and Gautam Ghalani (India), alongside Nigerian experts.

It will feature keynote sessions, panel discussions, and fireside chats focusing on executive leadership, entrepreneurship, institutional transformation, and creative problem-solving.