NILDS Director-General urges leaders to build strong institutions

Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), has called on African leaders to prioritize the strengthening of institutions, accountability, and the pursuit of measurable results.

Speaking at the International Leadership Summit at the University of Brighton in the United Kingdom, Sulaiman argued that true leadership is defined by the ability to transform institutions and improve lives rather than the mere occupation of high office. He identified sound decision-making, effective people management, and the delivery of tangible results as the three essential pillars of leadership.

Using NILDS as a case study, Sulaiman highlighted the institute’s recent growth, which includes expanding from four to 13 operational departments, establishing new centers and Democracy Radio, and moving into a permanent complex in May 2023. He noted that these developments represent institutional stability and a long-term vision for democratic capacity-building.