YIAGA Africa has called for a change in Nigeria’s leadership culture, stressing the need for leaders to be guided by clearly defined values and adequate training before assuming public office.

Speaking at the 10th Community Organising Institute (COI) in Abuja, the organisation’s Director of Programmes, Cynthia Mbamalu, said political engagement in Nigeria has often been driven by the pursuit of power rather than principles.

“We’ve had a system where politics is not based on any value — people just engage for power,” she said. “That’s why we start our training with identity. Leaders must define their values before entering the system, or they risk being consumed by it.”

Mbamalu noted that leadership should not be seen as an inborn trait but as a skill that can be learned. “Leadership is a learned practice. No one is born a leader. Everyone seeking public office should have gone through leadership training — it changes how you lead and how you serve,” she said.

YIAGA Africa’s Programme Coordinator, Ibrahim Faruk, referenced the late Chinua Achebe’s view that Nigeria’s primary challenge lies in its leadership. He argued that the prevailing political culture treats leadership as a position rather than a duty.

“Leadership is not only positional,” he said. “It’s about taking responsibility to solve problems, even without a title — whether that’s fixing a security challenge in your neighbourhood or mobilising resources to clear blocked drainages.”

Both officials highlighted the experiences of COI alumni, some of whom have gone on to lead reforms, drive advocacy initiatives, and gain international recognition, including from the United Nations. They maintained that such outcomes demonstrate the importance of preparing leaders who are committed to service and capable of sustaining their responsibilities under challenging conditions.

“We need leaders who keep kicking the ball, even when the conditions are hostile,” Mbamalu said. “Nigeria’s future depends on leaders who do the work, not just wear the title.”