Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that the nation’s woes stemmed not from the absence of strong leaders, but from a citizenry unwilling to hold the power to account.

Amaechi, who called for reforms, said that the future of Nigeria lies in building fearless followership and strengthening institutions, and not in waiting for messianic leadership figures. He spoke, yesterday, during the ninth edition of 2025 Akinjide Adeosun Foundation’s (AAF) Leadership Colloquium and Award, themed:“Fearless Leadership: A Panacea for Sustainable Development,” held in Lagos.

The former minister, while dismissing the notion of “fearless leadership” as hollow rhetoric, said that true leadership is only visible when systems fail.
“Where the system works, you don’t need a courageous leader. It’s only when there is a failed leadership that we start searching for one,” he stated.

He said that lack of justice in governance leads to inefficiencies, such as widespread traffic congestion, poverty, and hunger, adding: “Good government entails deliberate action to improve citizens’ welfare. This includes rule of law, regulation of power, and accountability, factors that lead to responsible governance.

Amaechi, who emphasised that accountability is not just about money or budget, cautioned that arbitrariness is antithetical to the rule of law, noting that it arises when excessive power is concentrated in the hands of the executive.

He stressed that due process is both a common law right and a statutory obligation,saying: “No one should be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. Authoritarian leaders abhor due process. They don’t want transparency. They just want to do what they want.”

Also, Founder of AAF, Akinjide Adeosun, noted that greatness starts with goodness, adding that the conquest of fear enables leaders to make bold and difficult decisions that ultimately lead to economic growth, improved security, and enhanced competitiveness.

“Our strategy, derived from our mission to build great leaders, begins by transforming belief that is unseen into behaviour that is seen. Fearless leadership manifests in tangible strides in healthcare, infrastructure, and industrialisation,” he added.

Former Lagos State gubernatorial candidate, Jimi Agbaje, challenged the audience to consider the societal conditions that foster or inhibit fearless leadership, while questioning the authenticity of some political actions framed as “fearless,” suggesting that true courage is found in leaders who speak truth to power without fear of retribution or loss of livelihood.

“When a leader speaks truth to power, the environment should ensure that their family’s basic needs, health and education are secured,” Agbaje said.