MARRAKECH, Morocco — Senate President Godswill Akpabio has called on participants at an executive leadership programme to use the opportunity to critically examine Nigeria’s challenges and develop practical solutions to them.
Akpabio made the call during a four-day International Executive Leadership Course organised by the Centre for Advanced Executive Education Programme (CAEEP) of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) in Marrakech, Morocco.
The programme was designed to strengthen strategic leadership and improve institutional preparedness among members of the NILDS Governing Council.
Represented at the event by Sen. Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central, Akpabio said the leadership course provided participants with an opportunity to step away from their routine responsibilities, reflect on national issues and consider innovative approaches to solving them.
He described the programme as timely, saying strategic discussions of this nature could contribute to Nigeria’s development and strengthen the country’s institutions.
Akpabio acknowledged that Nigeria, like many developing nations, faced several challenges but noted that the country’s situation was not the worst globally.
He said nations must continually search for effective ways of addressing problems affecting their citizens and institutions.
The Senate President identified the National Assembly as a key institution in tackling national challenges through legislation, policy planning, administration and other constitutional responsibilities.
He therefore encouraged participants to use the knowledge gained from the course to formulate practical ideas capable of addressing developmental problems and improving institutional performance.
Speaking earlier, NILDS Director-General, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, described the course as an avenue for participants to reflect, learn, evaluate existing approaches and prepare for emerging challenges.
Sulaiman said the programme was aimed at strengthening strategic leadership, institutional capacity and readiness within Nigeria’s legislative and democratic system.
He highlighted the importance of the NILDS Governing Council, describing it as the institute’s highest policy-making organ whose decisions have implications for both the institution and the National Assembly’s constitutional functions.
According to him, rapid technological advancement, increasing demands for accountability, security concerns and the emergence of artificial intelligence have made it necessary for institutions to adopt innovative and forward-looking leadership strategies.
He said effective institutions must promote professionalism, innovation, institutional memory, continuous capacity building, public engagement, technology adoption and adaptability.
Sulaiman also urged NILDS to begin early preparations for the 2027 general elections, particularly in the areas of induction and orientation for newly elected legislators.
He stressed that legislators need a strong understanding of parliamentary procedures, legislative processes, oversight functions and constitutional responsibilities to perform effectively after assuming office.
The NILDS director-general maintained that institutional preparedness requires advance planning, coordination and strategic leadership rather than last-minute action.
