Lack of leadership hindering Nigeria’s development, says Okpebholo

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has identified the dearth of leadership as a major factor stalling Nigeria’s development.

Okpebholo made this assertion while delivering a keynote address titled “Shaping the Future: The Importance of Leadership in Edo State Youth Development” at the Youth Leadership Clinic 2025, organized by postgraduate students of the University of Abuja.

The event, held in collaboration with the TETFUND Centre of Excellence in Public Governance and Leadership, had students from selected secondary schools in Benin in attendance.

Represented by a student of Public Governance and Leadership at the Abuja Leadership Centre, Joy Adesina (SAN), Governor Okpebholo stressed that leadership is not about wielding power but about using influence and actions to effect meaningful change.

“Leaders must be courageous, visionary, empathetic, and uphold integrity,” he said.

He further urged students to embrace leadership roles, saying, “Discover your strengths, set goals, take action, speak out, and be the leaders Edo State needs.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) of the University of Abuja and Team Lead of the programme, Prof. Philip Afaha, lamented that many individuals only grasp leadership responsibilities after assuming positions of power, describing this as an anomaly.

He emphasised the importance of grooming future leaders from an early stage and urged students to take advantage of the training.

He also pledged scholarships for outstanding participants.

The Director of the Abuja Leadership Centre, Prof. Gabriel Moti, highlighted leadership failure as a recurring issue in Nigeria. He stated that the initiative was designed to instil leadership values in young people early.

Similarly, Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, commended the initiative for its focus on addressing the leadership deficit in the country.

Represented by Kenneth Eguakun, Iyamu assured that the state government would collaborate with the Centre to sustain the training.

Among the facilitators at the event were former Edo State Commissioner for Information and House of Representatives member, Abdul Oroh, as well as ex-lawmaker Patrick Ikhariale.