The Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has emphasised that committed and visionary leadership remains central to achieving sustainable development in Nigeria.
Wike made this assertion while delivering the keynote address at the 2026 Distinguished Personality Lecture Series of University of Abuja. Speaking on the theme, “Exemplary Political Leadership on Infrastructural Development in Nigeria,” the Minister stressed that when leaders are genuinely dedicated to good governance and development, meaningful progress becomes significantly easier to attain.
Addressing an audience comprising scholars, students, policymakers and members of the public, Wike encouraged young Nigerians to play active roles in strengthening democratic institutions and promoting accountable governance. He maintained that infrastructural transformation must be driven by purposeful political leadership anchored on service delivery and national interest.
The Chairman of the occasion and Director of Organisational Support at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Professor Aminu Ibrahim Gusau, noted that transformative leadership is defined by the consistent delivery of democratic dividends to citizens. According to him, a nation can only attain good governance when leaders are purposeful and citizens remain responsible and engaged.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIABUJA, Prof. Hakeem Babatunde Fawehinmi, described the Distinguished Personality Lecture Series as an intellectual platform designed to deepen discourse on critical national issues. He said the initiative reinforces the University’s commitment to advancing scholarship and fostering dialogue on leadership, social welfare and sustainable infrastructure development.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation of an award to Minister Wike in recognition of what organisers described as his purposeful leadership in infrastructural development within the Federal Capital Territory. The award was presented by the Dean and Convener of the lecture, Prof. Mutiullah Olasupo, on behalf of the Faculty of Social Sciences.
