Wike Says Poor Leadership Culture Slowing Africa’s Growth

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said Africa’s development remains hindered by a culture of transactional leadership that values personal interest over public service.

Speaking at the 2025 Innovate Africa Conference held at the ECOWAS Conference Hall in Abuja, Wike said the continent’s progress has been crippled by weak governance systems and self-centered politics that fail to convert Africa’s wealth into growth.

He noted that despite its natural resources, energetic youth population, and creative potential, Africa continues to struggle with poverty, decaying infrastructure, unemployment, and fragile institutions. According to him, this contrast reflects how leadership failures have limited the continent’s opportunities.

In his keynote address titled Reimagining Africa’s Leadership and Investment, the minister said Africa’s political journey, both during military and democratic eras, has been marked by power struggles rather than a focus on national development. He described the post-independence era as a time when unprepared leaders took charge, leading to decades of trial and error in basic areas such as infrastructure, healthcare, and economic reform.

Wike called for a shift from transactional leadership — which thrives on patronage and short-term deals — to transformational leadership driven by vision, accountability, and service. He said the continent needs leaders who see governance as an opportunity to build and inspire rather than control and exploit.

According to him, Africa’s progress depends on servant-leadership rooted in humility and shared purpose. He stressed that leadership should be about trust and service, not power or position.

Citing ongoing infrastructural renewal in Abuja, Wike said political will and clear vision can turn challenges into progress. He explained that projects once abandoned are now being completed, roads are being rebuilt, and communities are reconnecting under renewed focus on accountability.

The minister also praised President Bola Tinubu’s reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the push to decentralize governance through regional development initiatives. He described these policies as evidence of leadership that is willing to take bold decisions for long-term progress.

Wike said visionary and courageous leadership remains the foundation for national transformation. When leaders act with purpose, he noted, even difficult reforms can open new opportunities for development.

In her opening speech, the president and founder of Innovate Africa Corporation, Uloma Onyebuchi, said Africa’s growth must be driven from within rather than relying on external ideas and leadership models. She said sustainable progress will come when Africans take ownership of their development path.

Onyebuchi described Innovate Africa as a movement built to celebrate local innovation, challenge outdated systems, and inspire bold thinking about the continent’s future. She called for stronger collaboration across nations, sectors, and generations, saying Africa’s future depends on the ability to turn ideas into real impact through technology, creativity, and visionary leadership.