The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adamu Ahmed, has stated that the future leaders of the nation who will take Nigeria out of its present problems will be produced in the ivory tower.

According to him, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has taken the initiative to produce leaders who would embody knowledge, character, and a deep sense of responsibility.

Launching the programme at “Lunch with the Vice Chancellor” in Yusufu Bala Usman Hall, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Ahmed urged students to seize the moment, learn, question, and be inspired.

He emphasised that Nigeria’s future depended on them, and that the university was committed to supporting them in bearing that responsibility with courage and vision.

Ahmed stated that the programme closely aligns with the vision of ABU’s founding father, the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto.

He also remarked that the university was established not only as a centre of learning but also as a training ground for leaders with empathy, a global outlook, and a strong awareness of their responsibilities to Nigeria.

“It is our hope that the beneficiaries of this forum, intended to be held twice yearly, will rise to that noble expectation”, he further said.

He explained that the event also served as an opportunity for open and sincere interaction with a select group of students to foster stronger relationships that would continue the spirit of the ABU family.

The Vice-Chancellor praised the keynote speaker, Muhtar Bakare, Chairman of Alternative Bank, whose story exemplified vision, hard work, and resilience.

Prof Ahmed also conveyed the university’s gratitude to Ahmed Zakari and Company for their generous sponsorship of the programme.

Prof Ahmed described the chartered accountants firm as one of the most successful and fastest-growing accounting companies in Nigeria.

He said what made the firm’s story even more inspiring for ABU was that the company was entirely owned by some of the institution’s brightest alumni.

In a keynote address, the Chairman of Alternative Bank, Muhtar Bakare, shared practical life lessons and experiences of failures that he used as motivation to improve.

Bakare said that young students were sitting on the shoulders of giants and had opportunities that others could only dream of, thanks to their access to the internet, artificial intelligence, and willing mentors.

The banker and publisher encouraged students to allow their curiosity to grow, fostering interdisciplinary learning that would help shape their visions as future leaders.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Occasion, Ambassador Shuaibu Ahmed, an alumnus of ABU and a Senior Partner at Ahmed Zakariyya and Co, expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for the initiative.

Ahmed described the programme as a sign of humility and empathy in engaging with students who are the future.

He congratulated the students on being selected to interact with experts and urged them to make the most of the knowledge they would gain from the experience.

During a paper presentation, Prof Sulaiman A. Karwai of the Department of Finance highlighted the importance of vision, monitoring, and evaluation in making a positive impact in any role they would undertake.

Prof Karwai stressed that good leaders were more concerned with developing and empowering their people than with their personal lives.

He cited exemplary leaders like the Sardauna of Sokoto, who not only impacted his community but also inspired them to greatness.

Prof Karwai called on the students to possess vision, empathy, and emotional intelligence to help them excel as world-class leaders.