African Leadership Initiative Demands Value-driven Governance

The African Leadership Initiative West Africa (ALIWA) has called on African leaders to adopt values-driven leadership.

ALIWA disclosed this at its inaugural National Leadership Dialogue (NLD), held in Lagos yesterday, bringing together leaders from public service, business, finance, technology, entrepreneurship, civil society, and media to reflect on the future of leadership in Nigeria.

The National Leadership Dialogue was supported by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

The president of ALIWA Nigeria, Soji Apampa, emphasised the importance of values-based leadership.

According to him, in times of uncertainty, leadership must be anchored in integrity, clarity, and a shared commitment to practical action, not symbolism. Platforms like the ALIWA National Leadership Dialogue are critical to shaping leaders who can define reality honestly and work collectively to deliver meaningful change for our country.

Delivering the keynote address, ALIWA Fellow, chairman of African Capital Alliance, and former minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah highlighted integrity as the cornerstone of leadership.

He noted, “integrity in leadership cannot survive on good intentions alone. It must be reinforced by strong systems, transparency, and accountability, because leadership, when exercised as stewardship, has the power to transform nations.”

The Dialogue featured two panels: one on building resilient leadership for the 21st century, focusing on ethical decision-making, inclusion, and leading under pressure; the other on building resilient systems through governance, technology, partnerships, and institutional reforms. Together, these sessions highlighted the need for principled individuals and strong, accountable institutions to drive sustainable national progress.

Additional sessions included a 2026 economic outlook by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and an ALIWA Fellow Impact Presentation by founder of WISCAR, Amina Oyagbola and founder of the Society for Corporate Governance, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu showcasing the practical impact of ALIWA’s work on institutions and communities.

The NLD represents a key step in ALIWA’s mission to nurture values-driven leaders who move from individual success to societal significance. Through its Fellowship and Youth Leadership programmes, ALIWA equips leaders with the clarity, courage, and networks to translate personal influence into sustainable national impact.