ACCORDING to a 2024 report by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), an independent think tank, 80% of Nigeria’s wealth is controlled by 20% of the population, highlighting the stark income inequality that pervades the country. Given these statistics, it is no wonder that 2023, the World Bank reported that over 40% of Nigeria’s population approximately 83 million people live below the poverty line. This is not just an economic problem; it is a direct consequence of leadership that has failed to address the root causes of inequality.
The educational system is another victim of value-deficient leadership. Nigeria’s literacy rate hovers around 62%, and the country’s educational institutions, particularly at the tertiary level, are frequently disrupted by strikes and underfunding. Education is the foundation of any thriving society, and without investment in the next generation, Nigeria risks perpetuating a cycle of poverty, ignorance, and underdevelopment.
INTEGRATING VALUE-BASED LEADERSHIP INTO NIGERIAN AND AFRICAN INSTITUTIONS
The leadership challenges that Nigeria faces, such as corruption, inequality, governance failures, and underdevelopment are not unique to the country but are reflective of a broader crisis that affects many African nations. The integration of value-based leadership into Nigerian institutions, and by extension, African institutions, is thus critical to the continent.
Challenges of Implementing Value-Based Leadership Across Africa
Africa is a continent of 54 diverse nations, each with its own unique cultural, political, and historical context. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to leadership issues, value-based leadership offers a universal framework that can be adapted to suit the needs of each country.
- Corruption
At the core of Africa’s leadership challenges is corruption, a persistent problem that has hindered development for decades. This is particularly evident in countries like Nigeria, where $20 billion oil revenue scandal that rocked the country in 2014. Also, South Africa’ state capture under Jacob Zuma reflected high-level corruption, as there was undue influence of private business interests, specifically the Gupta family, over government decisions. This significantly damaged South Africa’s economy.
- Political Instability and Authoritarianism: A Barrier to Ethical Leadership
Another significant challenge to value-based leadership in Africa is the prevalence of political instability and authoritarian regimes. In many African countries, democratic processes are undermined by leaders who cling to power through authoritarian means, stifling dissent, and undermining the rule of law. This often leads to political crises, civil unrest, and coups. An example in this regard is Zimbabwe, whose leader, Robert Mugabe, who ruled for 37 years, consolidated power through a combination of political repression, economic mismanagement, and cronyism. His policies led to widespread food shortages, hyperinflation, and economic collapse. Additionally, countries like Niger and Sudan, experienced coups or attempted coups, in 2023 alone, signaling the fragility of political systems across the continent.
- Ethnic and Tribal Divisions: Impediments to Unity and Inclusive Leadership
In many African countries, leadership is further complicated by ethnic and tribal divisions, which can fuel conflict and undermine national unity. Kenya is a prime example of how ethnic divisions can be weaponized politically. Since independence, Kenya’s politics have been heavily influenced by ethnic allegiances. This sparked the 2007–2008 post-election violence, in which more than 1,100 people were killed and 600,000 displaced. Although the situation has improved somewhat in recent years, ethnic tensions continue to influence Kenyan politics.
South Sudan is another illustration of how ethnic divisions can thwart value-based leadership. In 2013, it was torn by a brutal civil war, stemming from longstanding ethnic rivalries between the Dinka and Nuer communities. The war which left 400,000 dead and displaced millions.
- Weak Institutions and Lack of Accountability: A Systemic Issue
Many African nations struggle with weak institutions that lack the capacity to hold leaders accountable for their actions. In Guinea, weak institutions have allowed leaders to manipulate the constitution for their benefit, undermining democratic norms. This is reflective of President Alpha Condé’s actions in 2020. He pushed through a controversial constitutional change that allowed him to run for a third term, despite widespread protests. Although he was eventually deposed in a coup in 2021, the damage done to Guinea’s institutions will take years to repair.
Without effective checks and balances, leaders can subvert the democratic process to remain in power, often at the expense of the people.
WAY FORWARD: A BLUEPRINT FOR EMBEDDING VALUE-BASED LEADERSHIP IN AFRICA
As Africa marches toward a new era of global influence and economic growth, it is critical to recognize that sustainable progress will only come through value-based leadership.
- Strengthening Institutions: Building the Pillars of Accountability
The cornerstone of value-based leadership is the existence of strong, independent institutions that can hold leaders accountable. Electoral commissions need to be truly independent and transparent, ensuring that elections are free and fair. Similarly, anti-corruption agencies must be empowered to investigate and prosecute corruption at all levels, without fear of political backlash. Judicial independence is equally vital as the courts must be free from political control, allowing them to uphold the rule of law impartially. African governments need to ensure that judicial appointments are based on merit and shielded from political influence, so that courts can act as impartial defenders of justice and hold leaders accountable when they overstep their bounds.
This can, in turn, contribute to reducing the concentration of power in central governments and empowering local governments can help curb corruption and increase accountability.
- Investing in Leadership Education: Cultivating the Next Generation of African Leaders
Africa’s future rests in the hands of its young population. Leadership development should be integrated into school curricula, from primary education to university levels. In addition to school reforms, youth leadership academies should be expanded across Africa. Institutions like the African Leadership Academy (ALA) in South Africa have already proven successful in nurturing young leaders by focusing on ethical governance, entrepreneurship, and social change. These academies should become a standard feature across the continent, offering training and mentorship to young leaders from diverse ethnic, economic, and religious backgrounds.
Mentorship programs, established through partnerships between governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector, are another powerful tool for cultivating value-based leadership. They can ensure that future leaders have the guidance needed to navigate ethical challenges.
- Leveraging Technology for Transparency: The Digital Age and Governance
In an age where digital tools can provide real-time information and data, technology can play a transformative role in reducing corruption and increasing citizen participation in governance. Platforms such as BudgIT in Nigeria have already demonstrated how data can be used to hold governments accountable for public spending. Expanding such initiatives across the continent can create transparency in governance.
In addition, mobile technologies and social media have already begun to revolutionize citizen engagement. By leveraging social media, African citizens have been able to amplify their voices, monitor government activities, and push for reforms in ways that were previously impossible. For instance, the adoption of e-governance platforms can streamline service delivery and reduce opportunities for corruption by minimizing face-to-face interactions between citizens and government officials. Online systems for tax payments, business registration, and procurement processes can cut down on bureaucratic inefficiencies while increasing transparency.
- Encouraging Regional Collaboration: The Role of Pan-Africanism
While national reforms are crucial, Africa’s leadership challenges require regional collaboration to achieve lasting change. Pan-Africanism, a movement that promotes solidarity among African nations, offers a powerful framework for promoting value-based leadership across the continent. Regional bodies like the African Union (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) must lead by example, by promoting good governance and accountability among their member states.
The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) is one such tool that can help foster value-based leadership. By enabling African countries to voluntarily submit to reviews of their governance and leadership practices, the APRM encourages self-assessment and accountability. However, it must be supported by political will and genuine commitment from member states to be effective.
CONCLUSION
In the vast expanse of Africa, leadership is the compass guiding nations through landscapes of promise and peril. Yet, for too long, this journey has been marked by shadows; corruption, inequality, and the scars of colonial legacies threatening to obscure the path toward a brighter future.
A call for transformative leadership emerges, one that aligns the hearts of leaders with the needs of the people and breathes new life into a continent ripe with potential. Africa’s future rests in the hands of its leaders, and the call is clear: lead with integrity, serve with humility, and build with vision. The time for value-based leadership is not tomorrow; it is now.
CONCLUDED
