Values-based leadership and sustained dialogue have emerged as crucial responses to the escalating leadership and governance challenges confronting Nigeria.

The Africa Leadership Initiative West Africa (ALIWA), said its aim is to cultivate a new generation of leaders dedicated to driving societal impact across the region.

The body also positions itself as a regional leadership development organisation grounded in values-based leadership across West Africa.

Executive Director of ALIWA, Ayo Maji, emphasised these points ahead of the organisation’s National Leadership Dialogue, ‘Reimagining Leadership in a Changing World,” slated for January 29 in Lagos.

Maji highlighted the challenges facing Nigerian leadership, including uncertainty, complex governance issues, and rapidly changing social and economic conditions.

She asserted that the conventional approach to leadership may not adequately address the new challenges and complexities leaders encounter.

Maji further explained that the fellowship encourages leaders to transition from personal success to societal significance. It challenges them to reflect on their responsibilities to their communities.

Beyond organising meetings, President of ALIWA’s Nigeria Chapter, Soji Apampa, stated that the organisation prioritises dialogue and values-based leadership to tackle complex challenges in Africa.

Apampa acknowledged the contributions of fellows to policy and institutional reforms, including interventions in capital market governance and efforts to curb extortion and regulatory gaps in the maritime sector.

Apampa shared an example of the fellowship’s impact, stating that in 2024 alone, the body alone, saved members of the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network a total of $380,000 in fines.

Apampa maintained that these fines were not genuine and were supported by the fellowship to prevent members from making such payments.

Apampa mentioned that the organisation encourages leaders to prioritise dialogue, values, and public service over titles or positions.

The group explained that the dialogue is designed to bring leaders together to address pressing societal and institutional challenges through constructive dialogue and shared learning.