Nigeria in need of transformational leaders, says AfDB boss

Senior Special Adviser to the President on Industrialisation, African Development Bank (AfDB), Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, has said Nigeria needs leaders who are not only committed to ensuring high-performing public sector institutions but who would also transform society through vision and action.

Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, who disclosed this at the 8th yearly lecture of Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), said only political and transformational leadership would enhance national progress.

In his lecture titled, ‘Nigeria’s development reversal: Halting descent into industrial backwardness,’ the AfDB boss said a transformational leader showcases core values practised in private and public sectors; celebrates diversity of the nation and effectively communicates his ideas.

He said: “A transformational leader thinks in strategic terms and demands commitment to excellence and innovation, sensitivity to ethical and cultural values of the society, irrespective of an inevitable globalising world where nations must compete for investment and resources.

“Transformational leadership is characterised by a compelling vision, strong accent on a changed future by which followers are guided in their actions and conduct.”

He blamed the widening gap between developed and developing countries on inadequate knowledge, saying Nigeria is poor because of weak industrial growth.

The AfDB boss added: “Rich nations have a long history of learning and acquisition of knowledge. They use this knowledge to master nature and transform natural resources to high value goods.”