A professor of Ethical Leadership, Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, and Culture, at the University of Nigeria, Casimir Kingston Ani, has lamented the poor commitment of many Nigerian leaders to ethical leadership, stressing that some politicians in the country lack character, which is essential for sound ethical leadership.
Speaking at the 228th inaugural lecture of the University of Nigeria, Prof. Ani stressed that leadership failure in the country is deeply rooted in poor character formation. According to him, many Nigerian leaders lack the moral foundation necessary for ethical leadership, a failure he traced to the inability of parents to inculcate sound values in their children.
Ani, who spoke on the topic, “Sustainable Character Development PLC: An Ethical Leadership Desideratum for Nigeria”, lamented that vices such as corruption, certificate forgery, and political thuggery have become common among leaders, eroding public trust and undermining national development.
“When leaders fail to follow ethical standards, toxic leadership is inevitable”, he said.
Prof. Ani emphasized that parents have a critical role to play in shaping the moral compass of future leaders. “Character development at home is the foundation for ethical leadership and sustainable development in society,” he said.
To strengthen leadership ethics, he recommended that individuals aspiring to positions of authority should undergo structured ethical leadership training in dedicated institutes or camps, noting that conventional university courses have not adequately prepared leaders for moral responsibility.
The professor further advised that outstanding ethical role models in the country should be publicly recognized and rewarded as a way of motivating others to embrace integrity and discipline. Further, Ani called on religious leaders to take their roles seriously as the spiritual development of individuals place a critical role for their allegiance to ethical standards.
“Spiritual development results to integrity, and integrity births ethical maturity”, he said
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, who was represented at the event by the DVC Academic, Prof Kamoru Usman, remarked that Nigerian leadership challenge would be solve when leaders at various levels adhere to ethical standards.
“This message is not only for political leaders, be a man or a woman of character at any leadership position you find yourself”, he said. The inaugural lecture, which was held at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, drew academics, students and members of the public.
