Jega Bemoans Leadership Deficit In Nigeria

Former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has lamented the prevalence of leadership deficit in the country, describing it as the bane of national development.

Jega spoke while reviewing the book tilted: “Transformative Leadership in Practice,” authored by the director-general of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies(NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman to mark his 60th birthday.

The former INEC boss said the book offers a compelling case study of how purposeful leadership can rebuild institutions, inspire efficiency, and restore public confidence.

“This book provides empirical evidence that transformative leadership is not theoretical — it works. Professor Suleiman’s work at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) shows that when vision meets courage, even a public institution can evolve into a center of excellence.

“Under Professor Suleiman’s six-year tenure, NILDS increased its staff strength by more than 60%, analyzed over 1,300 bills, conducted more than 700 training programmes for lawmakers and civil society actors, and completed its permanent headquarters — a project stalled for over a decade,” he said.

The professor of political science

said such achievements contrast sharply with the stagnation and inefficiency that define many public institutions, adding that Nigeria’s reform agenda must begin with changing the mindset and ethics of its leaders.

“We cannot continue to lament the weakness of our institutions while rewarding mediocrity and political patronage. Leadership must be guided by service, not self-interest,”

he added.

In his remarks, former President Goodluck Jonathan, lauded the erstwhile minister of national planning for being an institutional builder whose leadership of the National Planning Commission brought professionalism and structure to national policy coordination.

Represented by a former Attorney-General Muhammed Bello Adoke (SAN), Jonathan said

although the appointment of Suleiman came towards the end of his administration, he brought reform, efficiency and accountability — values Nigeria’s public institutions urgently need today.

He said: “although his appointment was at the twilight of the administration, he quickly stamped his authority on the work of the National Planning Commission. His innovations and transformative leadership attributes were brought to bear on the work of the NPC, transforming it into an efficient public institution.

“As the chief planner, he ensured my government received all the inputs required for informed decision making. This made my task as President less arduous than it should ordinarily have been.”

For his part, Vice President Kashim Shettima said Suleiman has set a standard of commitment to nurturing future leaders and institutional transformation.

Represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Job Creation and MSME, Temitola Adekunle-Johnson, Shettima said the celebrant’s brand of leadership shows how mentorship and vision can strengthen governance and national development.

“His tenure as Minister of National Planning and presently as the Director-General of NILDS has been marked by excellence, foresight, and transformative leadership.

“Under his guidance, the institution has evolved into a true think tank bridging the gap between policy, legislation, and governance,” Shettima said.

Also speaking, former Senate President Ahmad Lawan described

the NILDS director general as “a reformer who turned ideas into action.”

“We created new departments like the Institute for Legislative Security Analysis and the Democracy Lab.His tenure redefined NILDS as a hub of knowledge, professionalism, and innovation,” Lawan said.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi hailed Suleiman for demonstrating that moral leadership remains possible in public life, describing him as “a man of simplicity, empathy, and discipline — a professor in leadership as much as in politics.”

In his vote of thanks, Prof. Sulaiman expressed deep gratitude to all who celebrated him, especially the former and current Presidents of the Senate, calling for support to his intention of governing Kwara state.