Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, and author Amina A. Salihu, has called for inclusive and humanity-driven leadership as a foundation for social justice, equitable development and sustainable governance in Nigeria.

They made the call at the launch of Salihu’s book, “Leading with Our Humanity: Elevating Communities Through Gender Equity and Social Inclusion,” authored by Amina A. Salihu, where stakeholders also advocated inclusive leadership as a pathway to social justice and equitable development.

Speaking during the event, Salihu said the book was inspired by the urgent need to build societies where dignity, empathy and inclusion remain at the center of governance and leadership.

According to her, communities can only thrive when women, young people and marginalized groups are given equal opportunities to participate in decision-making processes and development initiatives.

She stressed that humanity-driven leadership has become increasingly necessary in addressing social inequalities, economic exclusion and systemic barriers affecting vulnerable populations.

The author explained that the publication explores practical approaches to promoting gender equity, inclusive governance, community engagement and sustainable development through policies that prioritize people over politics.

Salihu also urged leaders across sectors to embrace empathy, accountability and fairness as tools for nation-building and social cohesion.

The book launch, held under the theme “Leading with Our Humanity: Elevating Communities Through Gender Equity and Social Inclusion,” brought together policymakers, civil society actors, development experts, academics and youth leaders.

The event featured panel discussions on social inclusion, leadership ethics, women’s empowerment and the role of communities in advancing equitable development.

In her remarks, Ezekwesili described the book as an ethical work that promotes gender equity and social inclusion as essential foundations for good governance and societal progress.

She said societies that prioritize inclusion and equitable participation often achieve better developmental outcomes, adding that the principles discussed in the book can be practiced in homes, institutions and governance systems alike.

The former minister noted that the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) was founded to build a pipeline of leaders committed to public interest and ethical governance.

She emphasized that character, competence and capacity remain central to effective leadership and urged citizens to organize around shared values and community-driven action to strengthen accountability and democratic participation.

“Any society where the majority are suffering is a society that is broken and brittle. It will collapse. Don’t let our society collapse.”

Ezekwesili also commended Salihu for drawing attention to issues surrounding gender inclusion and equitable representation, describing the book as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers and development practitioners.

Also speaking, Africa Director at MacArthur Foundation, Kole-Ahmed Shihina, emphasized the importance of credible leadership recruitment and ethical governance in Nigeria.

According to him, leadership recruitment should discourage individuals who seek public office through wealth and influence without the necessary preparation or experience.

He said: “You cannot jump into public office just because you have stolen billions of naira and suddenly claim to be working with the President of the Republic of Nigeria. That should not happen.”

Shihina commended SPPG for its efforts to reform political leadership recruitment and praised Salihu for contributing to public discourse on governance and inclusion.

In her review of the book, Toyin Akinniyi described the publication as a profound reflection on development, equity and power structures within society.

Akinniyi noted that the book examines not only what development institutions fund, but also how such interventions are designed and who benefits from them.

She explained that barriers linked to gender, disability, poverty and language often prevent equal access to opportunities and inclusion.

According to her, the publication challenges institutions, funders and policymakers to rethink governance systems and accountability structures in ways that accommodate marginalized communities.

She identified key themes in the book to include decolonizing wealth and philanthropy, strengthening collaboration for greater impact and embedding learning as a continuous practice in development work.