A university don and The Muslim Congress, Ondo State Chapter, have identified ethical leadership as critical to addressing Nigeria’s development challenges, saying the country’s major problem is not a lack of resources but a shortage of leaders with integrity and accountability.
The Chief Imam of Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, Dr Sirojudeen Bakrin, stated this on Sunday in Akure at the 2026 annual state lecture organised by the TMC to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence Day.
The lecture, themed, “Nation Building Through Ethical Leadership: Thinking Ownership of Our Roles,” focused on the role of responsible leadership and citizens in strengthening national development.
Bakrin, who spoke on “Enhancing National Cohesion, Sustainable Security and Civic Trust: From Policy to Performance,” said Nigeria could only achieve meaningful development when those entrusted with leadership positions demonstrated integrity and accountability.
He said, “The bane of Nigeria’s development is not paucity of resources but the dearth of leaders with integrity, accountability and God-consciousness.”
The don attributed the country’s slow progress to corruption and selfishness among some leaders, stressing the need for those in authority to listen to the people, understand their challenges and make decisions that would improve their welfare.
“Achieving sustainable development requires leadership anchored on ethics, justice, service, respect and inclusivity. This task is not easy to achieve when ethical leadership is absent.
“That is why we should involve ethical leadership in all ramifications, at all levels, so that the focus will be development and every citizen will become proud of Nigeria as their nation,” he said.
Bakrin urged political leaders at all levels to embrace ethical leadership and govern with sincerity, justice and fear of Allah, stressing that leaders of integrity could steer the country towards sustainable development.
He also advised Nigerians to reject vote-buying and other forms of inducement during elections, urging them to elect candidates based on character, competence and commitment to public service.
Earlier, the National President of TMC, Alhaji Abdulwaasii Bangbala, called for sustainable measures to cushion the effects of rising petrol prices and the attendant increase in the cost of living.
Bangbala, who was represented by the Ondo State Amir of TMC, Mallam Abdul-Majeed Adebayo, said recent increases in the pump price of petrol had worsened the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
He urged the government to implement economic policies with empathy and provide realistic safety nets for vulnerable citizens, stressing that the welfare of the people remained the primary purpose of governance.
“The welfare of the people is the primary purpose of governance, and no reforms should be sustained at the expense of the great majority of the populace,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Akure, Alhaji AbdulHakeem Yayi-Akorede, commended TMC for its efforts towards the propagation of Islam and its contributions to the welfare of the Muslim community.
The event also featured the presentation of a media excellence award to Mr Muftau Akanni Ogunyemi of the News Agency of Nigeria and other award recipients.
The congress also distributed back-to-school materials, including school bags and books, to indigent Muslim pupils and students in primary and secondary schools across Akure, Owena, Odigbo and Okitipupa Local Government Areas of Ondo State.