Lagos: Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Epe Division, Lagos State, Dr. Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, has emphasized the necessity of transitioning from personality-driven leadership to institution-driven governance as a means to achieve sustainable national development. This call to action was made at the 2026 Annual National Management Conference (ANMC) of the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) Chartered in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the conference, themed ‘Sixty-Five Years of Management Excellence: Strengthening Institutional Governance in Nigeria’, served as a platform for Ogunsanwo to highlight the importance of strong institutions in promoting stability, accountability, continuity, and public confidence. He pointed out that Nigeria’s abundant human and material resources alone are insufficient for sustainable development without robust institutional frameworks.
Ogunsanwo argued that the focus should not be solely on leadership but rather on the systems in place. He advocated for institutions with sound policies and structures that can withstand changes in leadership, emphasizing that true leadership legacy lies in building systems that continue to deliver results beyond one’s tenure. Furthermore, he underscored the fundamental governance principles of competence, integrity, and accountability.
The traditional ruler also recognized the vital role of traditional institutions in grassroots governance, noting their potential contributions to peace-building, dispute resolution, community development, and social cohesion. He called for a harmonious integration of traditional and modern governance structures to enhance grassroots development and urged collaborative efforts among government, private sectors, professional bodies, and civil society in national development.
Mr. Dakuku Peterside, a Leadership Architect, reinforced the significance of institutional frameworks in fostering national prosperity. He noted that the transformation of resources into productive outcomes hinges on the capacity of institutions to effectively plan, execute, and sustain development initiatives. Peterside highlighted that Nigeria’s divergence from prosperity is linked to its systemic failures in transforming resources into resilience and sustainable development.
He called for a renewed emphasis on merit, professionalization of public management, and data-driven performance management. He further stressed the importance of investing in human capital to harness Nigeria’s youthful population as a demographic dividend through improvements in health, education, and governance.
Commodore Abimbola Ayuba (rtd.), President of NIM, marked the institute’s 65th anniversary as a pivotal moment in its history of contributing to management practice and national development. He highlighted NIM’s role in professionalizing governance and promoting ethical leadership. Ayuba urged federal and state governments and private-sector leaders to engage more deeply with NIM, leveraging its extensive management expertise to address national challenges.
He encouraged corporate organizations and government agencies to require NIM training and certification for their executives, emphasizing the institute’s readiness to collaborate with various partners to build resilient management systems, enhance public sector efficiency, and promote accountability.