Ex-minister Akande, former presidential spokesman urge leaders to build trust

Veteran journalist and former presidential spokesman, Dr Reuben Abati, and former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Onikepo Akande, on Friday urged leaders across sectors to prioritise trust, integrity and service, saying titles and positions alone can no longer guarantee public confidence.

They spoke at the third induction ceremony of the Institute of Leadership, Coaching and Strategy in Lagos, where new members were admitted into the institute’s Fellow, Full Member and Associate categories.

Delivering a keynote address titled, Leading with Influence in an Unstable World, Abati said global economic uncertainty, technological disruption, political tensions and social challenges had increased the demand for leaders capable of inspiring confidence and providing direction.

According to him, genuine leadership is earned through credibility rather than conferred by position.

“Authority can be conferred by appointment. Influence must be earned. Authority comes from position. Influence comes from credibility. Authority can compel obedience. Influence inspires commitment. Authority may force compliance. Influence wins trust,” Abati said.

Abati added that people were more likely to follow trusted leaders than those who merely occupied public office during periods of uncertainty.

“People do not follow titles when they are afraid. They follow those they trust. Leadership should never be viewed as an ornament. It is a calling. Influence begins not with position but with purpose,” he said.

He also warned against equating popularity on digital platforms with genuine influence.

Speaking at the event, Akande said leadership should be measured by integrity, credibility and service rather than titles.

“Leadership is no longer about title or position. It is about influence. Influence is the currency of leadership. It is earned through integrity, sustained by credibility and multiplied through service,” Akande stated.

She urged the newly inducted members to become active contributors to solving societal challenges and uphold professionalism, transparency and ethical standards.

Earlier, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of the institute, Dr Olasunkade Azeez, said the organisation was established to promote responsible leadership through research, advocacy and training.

He said Nigeria’s leadership challenges, rather than a lack of human or natural resources, remained the country’s greatest obstacle to development.

“We have no business with poverty if we get our leadership right. We must work for a better and prosperous Nigeria with equity and fairness,” he said.