2027: Nigeria needs review of leadership recruitment process – Prof Obot

Professor Charles Obot of the Department of Communication and Media Studies at the University of Uyo has called for holistic review of the leadership selection processes in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections.

He stated that the country would still be trapped in the leadership and governance challenges if the leadership selection process is not overhauled.

Obot, who is the Deputy Dean of the Faculty, made the assertion during a one day international conference held at Topfaith University, Mkpatak, Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State themed” Leadership and Governance in Changing World: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges for Nigeria”

He identified leadership and governance defect as a major challenge in the country, saying that Nigeria will only live above the problem when leaders cultivate the virtue of integrity, honesty and transparency both in public and private lives.

His words, “Nigeria has to review the process of selecting leaders not the present situation where political parties and Independent Electoral Commission are fighting each other in the name of selecting leaders for the next election.

Obot also decried situations where whistle blowers are punished or victimised for doing the right thing, stressing that Nigeria cannot develop when those doing the right thing are being punished.

In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS) Dr Andy Eyo in his paper tagged ” Social Entrepreneurship in a Challenging Environment From the ECEWS Story in Building Resilient Institutions in Nigeria” called on Nigeria to overhaul leadership selection process to bring future leaders who will create opportunities through entrepreneurship and reduce unemployment, increase Gross National Products (GDP) and improve technological developments.

He added that entrepreneurship remains a key virtue of leaders to create opportunities for followers. 

The Chairman of Topfaith University Dr Emmanuel Abraham in his remarks stated that leadership also have the problem of followers in Nigeria. 

He expressed hope that the recommendations from the conference would serve as reference point for future decision makers from all sectors.