The Executive Director of the Nigeria Leadership Organization (NLO), Dr. Bolaji Olagunju, has insisted on the need to unleash what he calls Nigeria’s stalled potential.
As Nigeria marks its 64th Independence Day, he reminded Nigerians of the limitless possibilities and countless untapped opportunities that lie ahead.
“Our mission at NLO mirrors that of an oil and gas company that specializes in liberating stranded hydrocarbons. But for us, the focus is on unlocking the stalled potential of countries, especially Nigeria. There is a particular thing.
“Nigeria is rich in resources, human capital and full of potential. However, despite these advantages, we continue to face challenges such as economic hardship, insecurity, lack of infrastructure and declining quality of education. We continue to face persistent challenges. These problems are not due to a lack of potential, but rather to our inability to fully unleash our country’s vast potential.
“It would be no exaggeration to say that at 64 years of age, Nigeria has unimaginable potential for gridlock, but there are important challenges that, if addressed, can unlock these potentials and move our country forward.” There is one factor: lack of leadership.
“Leadership is the root cause, and everything else – economic growth, security, education – is just an effect,” he said.
Addressing what he called the crux of the matter – leadership as the key to national growth, Olagunju said Nigeria’s history is full of growth agendas, manifestos and development plans, all of which have inspired optimism. However, he pointed out that in many cases this goal was not achieved. promise. Despite various efforts by the government to address critical challenges such as unemployment, inflation, insecurity and inadequate public service delivery, many Nigerians continue to face hardship.
Over the decades, successive governments have introduced bold measures to stimulate growth, including import bans, border closures, trade deals and the removal of subsidies. However, the results are often disappointing. Inflation is currently over 30%, unemployment remains high, and more than 63% of the population lives in poverty.
“So what was missing from these efforts? Leadership.
“Several critical success factors must be present to successfully execute on these growth challenges and development plans. However, leadership remains central to meaningful progress. Let’s try it.
A compelling vision:
A shared and compelling vision is essential. Whether focused on job creation, food security or national security, this vision should resonate deeply with all sectors of society. Such a vision requires strong, visionary leadership that unites leaders, the public, and private sector stakeholders toward a common goal.
Pursuing growth over politics:
Achieving economic stability and growth requires technical expertise and a shift in focus from politics to results-oriented leadership. This means putting the right people in the right roles and making strategic investments in human capital and leadership development to meet Nigeria’s growth challenges.
Institutional reform:
Public sector reform must focus on increasing efficiency, fostering innovation and improving public service delivery. Many past reforms failed due to weak leadership. But with strong and decisive leadership, we can overcome these challenges and deliver the outcomes Nigeria so desperately needs.
Cultural change:
To move forward, we need to move from an establishment mindset to a corporate mindset. This transformation requires dynamic and innovative leadership in both the public and private sectors. Agile, transformational leadership will be the driving force behind this cultural shift.
Public engagement and communication:
A well-informed and engaged public is essential for the success of national initiatives. Transparent and consistent communication from leadership helps build trust, inclusion, and a sense of shared responsibility between government and the public.
Understanding Leadership: It’s Multiple Individuals
One of the biggest misconceptions of our time is the belief that leadership is only about one individual or team of individuals. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Leaders are just one part of a broader leadership system. This also includes the leaders, context, and expected results.
Leadership cannot and should not rest solely on the shoulders of one person. It’s a collective responsibility. Every citizen has a role to play, and for our country to progress, we must all actively contribute to leadership at our respective levels.
That is why we challenge all Nigerians to:
Don’t just complain, create.
Please don’t just criticize, but also contribute.
Don’t just blame, build.
Don’t just protest, please participate.
Don’t just find the flaws, find the fixes too.
Don’t just point fingers, show them the way.
It not only identifies problems but also suggests solutions.
Don’t just speak up, take a step forward.
It is necessary not only to insult, but also to improve.
Let’s develop, not divide.
Leadership at the heart of success
Leadership is the key to everything. Successfully realizing Nigeria’s potential will depend on our ability to develop effective leadership at all levels, from the public sector to the private sector, from top leaders to ordinary citizens. Without this, our struggle will continue and our progress will remain stagnant.
The National Leadership Organization (NLO) is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s untapped potential by developing effective leadership, strengthening organizational capacity and empowering citizens to play their part. I’m here. We believe in building a culture where everyone contributes and everyone excels in their abilities to lead.
Call to action: It’s time to show leadership
“As Nigeria turns 64, it is time to recognize that leadership is not just the responsibility of those at the top, but everyone. Now is the time to realize the full potential of our great country. Now is the time to step up, take ownership, and actively contribute to bring out the best in society.Leadership is a system, and everyone, including the public, civil servants, and private sector leaders, can help make this system work effectively. plays an important role.
“We call on all Nigerians to come forward and be part of the solution. Let us create grievances, build blame and replace division with development. The future of our country lies in our collective depends on your efforts.
“Happy 64th, Nigeria. The journey is still on and our brightest days are yet to come if we all choose to lead,” he added.
