Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Kenyan scholar Prof. Patrick Lumumba, and the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, are among the key speakers expected at the 2025 National Leadership Conference in Abuja.
The two-day event, themed “Transforming Minds and Inspiring Results,” is organised by the GOTNI Leadership Foundation and will open on Sept. 5 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Also expected are Dr Corrie Block, global business strategist and executive coach; Amb. Gautier Mignot, Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria; and Apostle Michael Orokpo, founder of Encounter Jesus Ministries International, among others.
Speaking at a news briefing on Friday, the foundation’s founder, Dr Linus Okorie, said the conference seeks to address leadership deficits that have long hampered productivity, institutional growth, and national development across Africa.
“For Nigeria to make strategic progress, leaders must deliberately find common platforms where mindsets can be transformed and inspired for great results. We need a critical mass of people who understand that leadership is about service, collaboration, and impact,” Okorie said.
He explained that the conference is designed to help leaders navigate present economic and social challenges while promoting a culture of service over personal gain.
According to him, many leaders are discouraged and uncertain about solutions, making it necessary to create forums where ideals of transformation and practical leadership models are shared.
“What we need is a massive investment in leadership development. In other countries, leadership training is budgeted for in schools, businesses, and government institutions. Unfortunately in Nigeria, such budgets are often cut, leaving the country behind in innovation and transformation,” he added.
Okorie said the conference would feature plenary sessions, knowledge-sharing, and networking opportunities to strengthen collaboration among leaders in government, business, faith, and civil society.
He noted that the discussions are aimed at equipping participants with the competence to inspire change, boost productivity, and drive societal progress.
