Nigeria Cannot Change Unless Leaders Are Transformed — Fasanmi

The Global Crusade with Kumuyi (GCK), Ogun West State Overseer and host pastor, Pastor Joseph Fasanmi, has warned that Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful transformation unless its leaders, particularly public office holders, are personally and morally transformed, urging them to deepen their relationship with God and allow their character to shape the quality of leadership they provide.

Fasanmi made the call during a press briefing ahead of the 2026 Global Crusade with Kumuyi (GCK), scheduled to hold in Ota, Ogun State from August 26 to 30. He said the theme of the crusade, “Total Transformation Through Christ,” was particularly relevant to Nigeria, where corruption, nepotism, crime and other forms of social misconduct continue to undermine national development.

He argued that policies and institutions alone could not deliver lasting change if the people operating them remained morally unchanged.

According to him, genuine transformation through the Word of God would give leaders the discipline to reject corruption, criminality, dishonesty and other acts capable of harming society.

“If a leader who attends the programme is transformed, the lives of the led and the governed will also be transformed and richly blessed,” Fasanmi said, specifically urging political leaders and public officials to attend the crusade.

“If your relationship with God is okay, your relationship with man and the people will be okay,” he said, stressing that the character of leaders directly influences the wellbeing of those they govern.

Fasanmi said the church was looking forward to a Nigeria where citizens would embrace holiness, righteousness and responsible living, expressing confidence that individual conversion could ultimately translate into national renewal.

“We are believing in a new Nigeria. Something new will happen in Nigeria. As people are converted, they live holy and righteous lives,” he said.

He disclosed that the GCK, which began in 2021, had reached more than 50 million people globally through evangelism, medical outreaches, prison ministry and other humanitarian interventions. He said the Ogun West edition would combine the spiritual message with practical interventions aimed at improving residents’ wellbeing.

An Impact Academy for Youth, themed: “Transformed to Break Limits,” will also hold at the crusade venue. The coordinator, Pastor Adesola Ajibola, said the initiative was established by Pastor William Kumuyi to equip young people with values that would help them overcome societal pressures and become agents of positive change.

Fasanmi said adequate security arrangements had been made for the programme, adding that the Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) had assured the organisers of security at the venue.

He said the crusade was open to people regardless of their religious, social or political backgrounds, urging residents of Ado-Odo/Ota, Yewa South, Yewa North, Ipokia and Imeko-Afon to participate.

He also appealed to traditional rulers, government officials, business leaders, educational institutions, market associations, transport unions, artisans, youth and women’s groups and community leaders to support mobilisation for the programme, saying the ultimate goal was to achieve a transformation that begins with individuals, influences families and communities, and ultimately contributes to the renewal of Nigeria.