By DAYO ADESULU
The Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI) has formally stepped onto the continental stage with the successful hosting of its maiden convocation and induction ceremony, a landmark event that signals a renewed push for ethical, visionary, and development-driven leadership in Nigeria and across Africa.
Held amid high expectations and deep reflections on Africa’s leadership future, the ceremony brought together policymakers, academics, professionals, and emerging leaders united by a shared conviction: leadership remains the single most decisive factor in national and continental transformation.
The event marked a defining moment in OOLI’s journey to reposition leadership education as a practical, values-based, and results-oriented enterprise rather than a theoretical exercise.
Convocation Lecture Sets the Tone for Reform
A major highlight of the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute maiden convocation was the convocation lecture delivered by Professor Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Senior Special Adviser on Industrialisation to the African Development Bank Group.
Titled “Leadership and Economic Development,” the lecture offered a data-driven, comparative analysis of leadership models across the world and their direct impact on national growth trajectories.
Professor Oyelaran-Oyeyinka stressed that leadership is not an abstract concept but a concrete determinant of social stability, economic prosperity, and institutional strength. According to him, nations rise or fall largely on the quality of leadership choices they make over time.
Nigeria’s Leadership Gap Under the Spotlight
In a frank assessment of Nigeria’s development challenges, the keynote speaker identified what he described as a persistent “vision–execution gap” that has undermined progress despite the country’s abundant human and natural resources.
He pointed to weak institutions, predatory governance practices, poor crisis management, and the long-standing resource curse as factors that have slowed Nigeria’s economic and industrial development.
Drawing lessons from countries such as Singapore, South Korea, Rwanda, Vietnam, and China, Professor Oyelaran-Oyeyinka demonstrated how disciplined leadership, merit-based appointments, and deliberate industrial policies can lift nations from poverty to prosperity within a generation.
He urged Nigeria to prioritize value-based recruitment, strengthen institutions, industrialize agriculture, and make sustained investments in education and human capital.
Importantly, he challenged OOLI to consider establishing a Nigerian Youth Leadership Academy, aimed at grooming young leaders who combine ethical grounding with policy competence and a commitment to national service.
Obasanjo Constitutes the Convocation
The formal induction of graduates was conducted by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman of the OOLI Board, following an invitation by the Institute’s Registrar, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Gbadebo.
President Obasanjo congratulated the inductees and reminded them that leadership is fundamentally about service, sacrifice, and placing the national interest above personal ambition.
He reaffirmed OOLI’s founding vision: to nurture leaders who possess the courage to make difficult decisions, the integrity to resist corruption, and the competence to deliver measurable development outcomes.
OOLI’s Vision: Leadership Beyond Rhetoric
Speaking on the Institute’s mission, the Director and Chief Executive Officer, General Martin Luther Agwai (Rtd.), described OOLI as a strategic response to Africa’s long-standing leadership deficit.
According to him, OOLI was conceived as:
A nursery for grooming a new breed of leaders,
A centre for practical, innovative, and experiential leadership training, and
A platform for catalysing development, from the family unit to the global stage.
He emphasized that leadership excellence must translate into action, not slogans, and that OOLI’s programmes are designed to bridge the gap between theory and real-world governance challenges.
Global Partnerships and Practice-Based Learning
Deputy Chief Executive Professor Samuel Daramola assured participants that the Institute will continue to deepen collaborations with leading global institutions to deliver world-class leadership education.
He explained that OOLI’s approach blends global best practices with African realities, ensuring that graduates are equipped to lead effectively in governance, business, and civil society.
Graduates Testify to OOLI’s Impact
Several inductees shared testimonials that underscored the Institute’s growing influence.
Pastor Seun Aderibigbe, Senior Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and a Barrister-at-Law, praised the quality of training and highlighted OOLI’s innovative leadership programme for secondary school prefects.
He described the Institute as a continuation of President Obasanjo’s intergenerational leadership legacy.
Ambassador Dr. Deji Bolusemihi, Managing Director of Midfield Insurance Brokers Ltd and a UNIPGC Diplomat, applauded the facilitators and noted that OOLI’s curriculum promotes a fresh model of Afro-democracy aligned with Africa’s developmental realities.
He urged corporate organizations to adopt OOLI programmes for leadership renewal.
From the United Kingdom, Professor Elvis Otobo commended the Institute’s international faculty and described President Obasanjo’s experiential insights into Africa’s leadership challenges as a defining feature of the programme.
A Continental Project Takes Shape
The Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute maiden convocation represents more than a graduation ceremony. It signals the launch of a long-term continental project to reshape Africa’s leadership culture.
With its blend of ethical grounding, practical training, and global exposure, OOLI positions itself as a catalyst for sustainable development, institutional reform, and national transformation across Africa.
About the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute
The Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI) is committed to developing visionary, ethical, and competent leaders for Nigeria and Africa. Through innovative programmes, global partnerships, and experiential learning, the Institute equips leaders at all levels to drive positive change in governance, business, and civil society.
For programmes and collaborations, visit: https://ooli.org.ng
Contact:
Professor Adedeji Daramola
Deputy Chief Executive
Email: s.daramola@ooli.org.ng
Media Contact:
Professor Elvis Otobo
Media Consultant to the DCE
Tel: +44 7438 339 834
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#OOLI #ObasanjoLeadershipInstitute #AfricanLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #NigeriaLeadership #EthicalLeadership #AfricanDevelopment
