Nigeria at crossroads, needs visionary leaders of integrity — Hamzat
By Sodiq Adelakun
Nigeria’s future depends on leaders with vision, courage, and impeccable integrity, declared Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, yesterday as he delivered a powerful critique of the country’s leadership issues at the 2025 Lagos Leadership Summit, organised by the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA).
Speaking on the topic “The Responsibility of Leadership: Shaping the Future With Purpose and Action,” Hamzat argued that Nigeria’s enduring challenges – including poverty, failing education and healthcare systems, ethnic divisions, and corruption – are direct consequences of a leadership deficit that has hindered the country’s progress for decades.
“The leadership deficit has been a major obstacle to national development,” Hamzat remarked.
“Despite the nation’s vast natural and human resources, we are plagued by extreme poverty. Our education system is outdated and unable to meet the economic needs of the country, while our healthcare system lacks both scope and effectiveness. Meanwhile, the gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen. These issues contribute to a society built on a fragile foundation.”
He condemned the politicisation of corruption allegations, the prevalence of tribalism in political appointments, and the growing culture of impunity among political leaders. “When allegations of corruption are made against political figures, the typical response is political witch-hunting. Appointments to key positions are often more about tribal affiliation than competence,” he added.
Hamzat also criticised the lack of moral accountability in public office, noting that “there is no culture of resignation when public officers face serious allegations.”
For Nigeria to become a viable and progressive nation, he stressed, leaders at all levels – political, religious, and social – must embrace structural reforms and a moral renaissance.
“As a nation, we have prioritised merit less and less. Our country cannot grow if we continue down this path. It is clear that Nigeria needs a new kind of leadership. We need true statesmen whose contributions to the country are not measured by the time they’ve spent in office, but by their efforts to build a strong, viable nation,” he added.
Hamzat urged political parties to nominate individuals “who possess vision, the ability to effectively manage human and material resources, and above all, a high standard of moral integrity.”
The Deputy Governor also commended Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, Executive Secretary of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, for her “steadfast leadership” since the academy’s creation, praising her role in shaping the next generation of leaders in Lagos State’s public service.
In her remarks, Agbaje-Okunade highlighted the academy’s measurable successes since its establishment, marking a significant step towards cultivating effective and principled leaders in the state.
