A prominent financial expert and the Managing Director of Apices Finance Company Limited,Daniel Oniko, has weighed in on what truly defines leadership.

According to Oniko, leadership is not determined by one’s official job title or position within an organisation. Instead, he argues that it is shaped by a person’s vision, ability to influence others, and capacity to leave a lasting and meaningful impact.

He stated this at a CEOs Leadership Roundtable Conference in Lagos, which had in attendance former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other business leaders.

The gathering, held under the banner “Shaping the Future of Leadership, Innovation, and Sustainable Growth,” drew policymakers, industry players, and corporate executives for discussions centred on leadership, innovation and sustainable economic growth.

In his remarks, Oniko described the gathering as an opportunity to reflect on the role of leadership in shaping institutions and driving development. “Leadership is about vision, influence, and creating lasting impact,” he said.

According to him, the most effective leaders are those who prioritise long‑term value over short‑term gains, and who remain steadfast in their commitment to ethical governance and inclusive growth.

He urged the next generation of executives to see leadership as a responsibility, not a privilege, and to anchor their legacies on sustainable development that outlasts their tenure in office.

The organisers said the roundtable theme underscores the growing debate around how private sector leadership can contribute to broader national development.

Apices Finance Company Limited also used the occasion to restate its corporate mission, saying it remains committed to fostering excellence, strategic partnerships and transformative leadership that can support economic progress.

“At Apices Finance Company Limited, we remain committed to fostering excellence, strategic partnerships, and transformative leadership that drives economic development,” the company said.

Oniko was pictured at the event alongside Obasanjo, one of Nigeria’s most prominent political figures, in what appeared to be a high-level networking and thought-leadership forum attended by decision-makers from different sectors of the economy.

His remarks place emphasis on a leadership model that goes beyond titles and office to measurable influence, institutional strength and long-term value creation.

His speech also reflects a familiar message in Nigeria’s business and policy space, where executives increasingly link corporate success with national economic stability and inclusive growth.