Nigeria leadership recruitment process

By Olakunle Yusuf

Leadership recruiting holds a central importance for nations, as the quality of the leaders directly impacts nation’s success. Additionally, Politics is supposed to be used in advancing the wellbeing of the citizens by ensuring the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Bad leadership recruitment process has been an impediment to development in Nigeria because people without competence and interest to serve the masses have been manning the public offices.

Why is this so? Elections are monetized: the costs of expression of interest and nomination forms, campaigns and other logistics are above the reach of gentlemen and ladies with genuine desire to render selfless service and are therefore foreclosed from standing for elections. This is why the ‘bad guys’ with ill-gotten wealth and those who are willing to do the bidding of insatiable predators with cult bond are those allocating the nation’s resources. This is a huge negation to the growth of Nigeria, hence it remains the creeping giant of Africa.

Have you ever wondered why some states thrive while others struggle, even in the same country? The answer often lies in the quality of their leadership. Every state is endowed with resources. Leadership is the compass that steers nations/organizations towards success or failure. Yet, a staggering numbers of nations in Africa face a leadership gap, leaving them adrift without a guiding force. Failing to attract and secure exceptional leaders can cripple progress, erode citizens morale, and derail strategic goals. That’s why leadership recruitment requires a specialized process of identifying, attracting, and securing top-tier leadership talent who can propel your nation/organization forward.                      

As we approach 2027 general elections taking place in virtually all states of the federation, it is pertinent to examining Nigeria leadership recruitment process. Leadership has been recognised as one of the most important variables that affect the performance of any organisation, institution or nation. Study after study, superior financial and organisational performance, as well as other forms of success, have been linked to leadership. Scholars have opined that the success or failure of organisations and nations depends on leadership excellence.

Some of the most loved presidents worldwide have been those described as ‘just plain people’. They were approachable, genuine, real, and down-to-earth. Followers want a leader with whom they can relate, and who can relate with them. You may not be president of a nation or even a corporation, but because you have influence, it is important for you to be sincerely concerned for others, while being yourself. The higher you go in leadership, the easier it becomes to isolate yourself from others whom you are leading. By remaining authentic, you can face the challenges successfully.

It is equally worth telling, the higher you are in position of leadership, the broader your influence will become on others and the more pervasive the responsibility will be. What is playing out now in Nigeria is leadership affirmative. It is crystal clear with the right people in power, development follows. Now, Nigerians are saying goodbye to fuel scarcity. No more long queues at filling stations. This is laudable. We must attribute it to the current ruling party. Mr. President, we need more indigenous investors in that sector.

We need leaders who stand up and take responsibility for their roles. A servant-leader is an endanger specie. It is time to rethink leadership in Nigeria. For years, the media have delivered the direst of prognoses. To them, good leaders are in decline. If leaders are going off the rails, how do they get back on track? While I agree with these assumptions, I do believe the issue must be addressed before the next general elections. We must fill in compassionate and responsible people to occupy positions of authority. Reason: when good people lose elections, nation loses too. The home is a natural place to start. Nigerian leaders have a choice: either feel inadequate or get a lot more creative. In this regard, we must commend the current President. He is not surrendering to the times.

Abraham Lincoln once visited the New York Avenue Presbyterian church to hear a sermon by the pastor, Dr. Gurley. As the war between states was being fought, Lincoln battled discouragement. After the message, one of Lincoln’s aides asked him what he thought of the sermon. Lincoln replied, ‘’ I thought it was well thought through, powerfully delivered, and very eloquent.’’ Thus, the aide assumed Lincoln thought it was great sermon. But Lincoln said, ‘’ No, it failed, because the pastor did not ask of us something great.’’

I am praying God will call our leaders to do something great in ameliorating plights of average Nigerians for His glory and humanity. It may not make the headlines, but posterity will never forget. It is also worth reiterating that successors must do greater works that their predecessors. In Lagos state, since the commencement of fourth republic till date, it has been blessed with good successors. You may detest their politics. But hey, they are delivering dividends of democracy, leaving legacies that are unrivalled in Nigeria. In contrary, what is playing out in Rivers state is vote of no confidence in the predecessor. If you are the leader having constant issues with your successor, please forget it, your legacies are in doubt. I am praying that my generation will not drop the ball. There is much work to be done in view next elections. I hope potential leaders will make a difference. They will count the cost, pay the price, stand in the gap and confront vulture culture militating development and progress.

I am asking God to give the body of Christ and Islamic pillars a tenacity that seems to be lacking in this hour. President Donald Trump had called us to action. Caleb was an old man when he said, ‘’ Give me this mountain.’’ Samuel was a young man when he heard from God. Again, I am asking God to use this piece to call people from every generation and every tribe and tongue to be courageous.

Every journey begins with a step. As earlier alluded to, this re-orientation must must start from homes. Schools. Councillors. Local government leaders. House of Assembly members. House of Representative members. Senators. State Governors. And ultimately, at the federal level. In fairness to the current administration at the centre, is making giant strides in some sectors. What is happening in education sector shows us that sincerity of purpose in leadership could turn around fortunes of a nation. Disbursing interest free loan ( NELFUND) to deserving students in our tertiary institutions must be commended. Besides, Academic Staff Union of Universities ( ASUU) just signed an agreement with Federal Government which would put a stop to perennial strikes and more incentives to lecturers with professors enjoying deserved wages. This will curb brain drain and ‘japa’ syndrome. What does that teach us? When there is political will, there is always a way. This, however, must be replicated in real economic sector. In 2014, a bag of rice cost seven thousand naira (N7,000.00). But now, it is well over fifty thousand naira (N50,000.00). While this could be regarded as policy shift, we must not allow it to impoverish average Nigerians struggling to make a living. 

• Yusuf, Media and Public Relations practitioner.