Nigeria has untrained leaders in power – Adeyemi

The Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Sam Adeyemi, has criticised the quality of leadership in Nigeria, saying many people who occupy influential positions in government and other sectors entered leadership without ever being trained to lead.

Adeyemi said the deficit had become particularly troubling as Nigeria confronts economic and social uncertainty, arguing that the country could not afford leaders who had to learn the responsibilities of leadership only after assuming office.

“Sometimes only God knows who’s going to be governor. Who knows who’s going to be senator tomorrow? And most people occupying leadership positions in our country have not learned leadership anywhere,” he said.

Adeyemi made the remarks ahead of the 2026 Excellence in Leadership Conference organised by Daystar Christian Centre and scheduled for November 5 and 6 in Lagos.

The conference, themed “Leading in Uncertainty,” is expected to bring together speakers from business, public service, religion and the creative industry to examine leadership in an environment marked by economic pressures, changing policies and social uncertainty.

But Adeyemi’s central argument was that Nigeria’s leadership problem goes beyond the uncertainty confronting those already in office.

He said the country needed to deliberately prepare people for leadership rather than wait until they obtained positions of authority before expecting them to develop the skills required to manage institutions and people.

His remarks also come as Nigeria approaches another election cycle, when political parties will select candidates for thousands of elective positions at federal and state levels.

Adeyemi said Nigerians should therefore take leadership development seriously, urging people to attend the conference and bring others with them.

“This is a great investment in their lives,” he said.

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In a joint message on the conference, Adeyemi and his wife, Nike, said the theme was intended to address the challenge of leading when economic, social and personal circumstances were constantly changing.

They said the conference would examine “what it truly means to lead when the ground keeps shifting economically, socially, and personally”, with participants expected to learn how to “stand firm, think clearly, and lead boldly.”

The organisers said the conference would draw speakers from sectors that rarely share the same leadership platform, including the pulpit, corporate Nigeria, public administration and entertainment.

Among them is the Global Lead Pastor of Harvesters International Christian Centre, Bolaji Idowu, while the Managing Director of Unilever Nigeria Plc, Tobi Adeniyi, is expected to provide a corporate perspective on leadership.

Former Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Toyin Ayinde, will also speak, alongside award-winning singer Timi Dakolo.

Nike Adeyemi, who co-hosts the conference with her husband, is also billed to address participants.

The conference, according to organisers, reflects Sam Adeyemi’s longstanding emphasis on leadership development. Daystar’s leadership programmes include the Daystar Leadership Academy, through which the church says it has trained leaders and entrepreneurs over the years.

The 2026 edition is expected to focus less on leadership as a position and more on how people exercise influence and make decisions when circumstances are difficult to predict.

The organisers said the programme would provide practical tools, fresh perspectives and cross-sector connections for people who lead organisations, businesses, communities and other institutions.

The conference is free and open to the public, with sessions scheduled for 9 am to 2 pm on both days at Daystar Christian Centre, Oregun, Lagos.