ETHICAL LEADERSHIP KEY TO REBUILDING PUBLIC TRUST IN NIGERIA – DR. SANI ABUBAKAR
Calls for Empathy, Accountability, and Inclusive Governance Dominate ACLDS Quarterly Leadership Lecture
The need for ethical leadership as a foundation for rebuilding public trust in Nigeria took centre stage at the Quarter Two Leadership Lecture Series organised by the Alumni of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (ACLSD), where renowned leadership scholar and development practitioner, Dr. Sani Abubakar, challenged Nigerian leaders to embrace empathy, accountability, and integrity in governance.
The virtual lecture, themed “Ethical Leadership: Rebuilding Public Trust,” attracted participants from various professional backgrounds, including public servants, academics, development practitioners, business leaders, and alumni of the Leadership School.
Welcoming participants to the session, the President of the ACLSD Alumni Association, Dr. Chukwuemeka Okereafor, described the lecture series as a platform for continuous engagement on issues critical to national development and effective leadership.
The event opened on a reflective note with a spoken word performance titled “Same Script, Different Costume” presented by theatre practitioner and communication strategist Om’Oba Jerry Adesewo, who used poetry to highlight recurring governance challenges and the urgent need for transformational leadership in Nigeria.
Ethical Leadership Begins with Empathy
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. MS Abubakar, Managing Director, West Africa Minerals and Mining Company Limited, defined leadership as the process of influencing people towards the achievement of common goals and argued that ethical leadership remains indispensable to nation-building.
According to him, many of Nigeria’s governance challenges stem from a deficit of empathy among leaders.
“One of the greatest problems confronting leadership in Nigeria today is the absence of empathy and sympathy. Ethical leadership is about understanding the people you lead, identifying with their realities, and making decisions that reflect the common good,” he said.
Drawing examples from global icons such as Nelson Mandela and Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, Dr. Abubakar noted that societies thrive when leaders place service above personal interests and demonstrate consistency between words and actions.
He further explained that insecurity, social unrest, and the rise of non-state actors are often symptoms of deeper feelings of exclusion, injustice, and lack of trust in institutions.
“When people feel excluded from governance and believe the system does not care about them, they begin to seek alternatives outside the state structure. Ethical leadership helps to bridge that gap by restoring confidence and creating a sense of belonging,” he observed.
Using the story of Major General Adetokunbo Fatimehin as an illustration, Dr. Abubakar emphasised that ethical leadership is neither complicated nor unattainable.
“Ethical leadership begins with conscience. It is about doing what is right, treating people fairly, and making decisions that benefit society rather than personal interests,” he added.
Public Trust Must Be Earned
Serving as discussant, leadership consultant, and public affairs analyst, Comrade Wale Ajani, a former President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, reinforced the keynote address by stressing that rebuilding public trust remains one of the most pressing challenges facing Nigeria today.
Ajani observed that citizens have become increasingly skeptical of leadership and institutions due to years of unmet expectations, poor accountability, and perceived injustice.
“Trust cannot be demanded; it must be earned. Ethical leadership is the pathway through which leaders can regain the confidence of the people they serve,” he stated.
According to him, leaders at all levels must lead by example and demonstrate transparency, fairness, and responsibility in both public and private conduct.
He noted that without public trust, governance becomes difficult, citizen participation declines, and national development suffers.
“To move Nigeria forward, leaders must consciously rebuild trust through their actions, decisions, and commitment to the public good,” he said.
Participants Raise Concerns Over Security and Governance
The interactive session featured contributions from participants who linked the subject of ethical leadership to prevailing national challenges, particularly insecurity, governance deficits, and declining confidence in public institutions.
Dr. Alaba Adekunle expressed concern over increasing incidents of kidnapping and violence across the country, questioning the effectiveness of current security measures and calling for stronger leadership responses.
Other participants highlighted issues of political accountability, voter apathy, corruption, and the need for consequences for public officials who mismanage resources.
Responding to questions, Hon. Ajani, who is the Accord Party Senatorial Aspirant for Oyo Central, argued that accountability remains the cornerstone of public trust and identified both leadership failures and systemic weaknesses as factors contributing to Nigeria’s governance challenges.
He also pointed to voter disengagement and the disconnect between leaders and citizens as major obstacles to democratic accountability.
Call for National Reorientation
In his closing remarks, Om’Oba Jerry Adesewo reiterated the need for ethical leadership at every level of society, stressing that national transformation begins with individual responsibility.
He noted, in agreement with the moderator, Ms. Mariam Adeola Gbadebo’s earlier position, that while systemic reforms are necessary, citizens and leaders alike must embrace values of integrity, accountability, and service.
The lecture concluded with a renewed call for a national culture that rewards ethical conduct, promotes responsible leadership, and restores public confidence in institutions.
Participants described the session as timely and insightful, agreeing that ethical leadership remains essential to rebuilding trust, strengthening democratic institutions, and securing Nigeria’s future.
The Quarterly Leadership Lecture Series is one of the flagship initiatives of the ACLSD Alumni Association aimed at fostering dialogue, knowledge sharing, and leadership excellence among its members and the wider public.