 Wife of the Kwara State Governor and Chairperson of the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum, Professor Olufolake AbdulRasaq, has canvassed inclusive and ethical leadership as a critical driver of workplace harmony and sustainable development across institutions in Nigeria.
Professor AbdulRasaq made the call at a one-day Staff Development Workshop organised by the Centre for Management and Leadership, University of Ilorin, themed “Re-imagining Leadership and Workplace Harmony for a Sustainable Future.”
The event, which attracted about 800 participants from both the public and private sectors, focused on equipping leaders with practical skills to navigate complex organisational challenges in a rapidly changing environment.
Addressing participants, the First Lady emphasised that productivity and efficiency can only thrive in environments where diversity of thought is respected, conflicts are constructively managed, and collaboration is intentionally sustained. She urged institutions to move beyond rigid hierarchies and adopt leadership models that promote shared vision, mutual respect, and collective responsibility.
According to her, building enduring institutions requires nurturing talent and establishing systems that transcend individual tenures. She described quality leadership as one anchored on integrity, transparency, accountability, and the ability to inspire others toward long-term goals.
Professor AbdulRasaq, who is also the Founder of the Ajike People Support Centre, commended the Centre for Management and Leadership for initiating what she described as a timely and impactful conversation, and encouraged participants to leverage the platform to exchange ideas, share experiences, and adopt practical strategies capable of transforming their organisations.
Delivering a keynote paper titled “Transformative Leadership in Higher Education: Redefining Roles for Institutional Sustainability,” the Director-General of the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies Abuja, Professor Suleiman Abubakar, called for the adoption of transformative leadership as a strategic pathway to strengthening institutional sustainability in Nigeria’s higher education sector.
Professor Abubakar stressed that sustainable higher education systems require leaders who can inspire collective purpose, foster innovation, and build resilient structures that endure beyond individual tenures.
He maintained that redefining leadership roles within universities is essential to strengthening governance frameworks, enhancing accountability, and aligning institutional vision with global best practices.
The former Minister of National Planning represented by former Director-General of the Institute, Professor Taofeeq Ladan, reiterated the importance of shared responsibility across academic and administrative units.
Also speaking, the President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Engineer Jani Ibrahim, advocated sound institutional management and leadership principles to foster productive and innovative workplaces.
He said effective leadership goes beyond routine administration and requires the creation of a positive work culture that empowers employees and builds trust. According to him, resilience, transparency, collaboration, and strategic thinking are essential for navigating complex environments and achieving sustainable growth.
Similarly, the Kwara State Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bolanle Olukoju, who delivered a presentation titled “Emotional Intelligence & Strategic Communication: Leadership Tools for Organizational Harmony and Peak Productivity.”
Represented by the Ministry’s Press Secretary, Mr. Abeeb Oredunni, enumerated the critical role of emotional intelligence in effective leadership, noting that leadership influence is emotional before it becomes strategic.
She examined the core components of emotional intelligence, include self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills, and how they enable leaders to manage pressure, inspire confidence, and influence without intimidation.
The Commissioner then guided the Participants on conflict management, executive-level feedback, and decision-making under pressure, with a focus on fostering trust, psychological safety, and accountability.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Moji Taibat Bakare-Odunola, underscored the need for leaders to acquire relevant skills that promote harmonious working relationships and ensure sustainable institutional growth.
Earlier, the Acting Director of the Centre for Management and Leadership, Dr. Adeola Aminat Odebode, explained that leadership goes beyond hierarchy and plays a central role in effective conflict management and institutional sustainability.
She said the workshop was designed to promote systems thinking, empathy, and collaborative problem-solving as tools for addressing contemporary organisational challenges.
The workshop provided a robust platform for dialogue on inclusive leaders.
