Aiyedatiwa Tells What Nigeria’s Future Will Largely Depend On

Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Thursday said Nigeria’s future economic and technological advancement would depend largely on the quality of leadership and the strength of its educational institutions.

Governor Aiyedatiwa, who was guest speaker at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Foundation Day Lecture, stated this while delivering a lecture titled “Leadership, Organisational Performance and Technology in a Rapidly Changing World.”

He said universities must play a central role in producing a new generation of leaders capable of responding to global disruptions and emerging challenges.

The governor described higher institutions as critical to innovation, human capital development and national competitiveness, stressing that their role goes beyond certification to shaping individuals who will influence societal direction.

According to him, “leadership remains fundamental to organisational success,” adding that it involves influencing and motivating people towards achieving collective goals rather than exercising authority through coercion.

He further stated that “leadership is a continuous process based on interaction between leaders and followers,” noting that its effectiveness depends on the ability to adapt to changing realities.

Governor Aiyedatiwa added that “leadership is fundamentally about influence rather than coercion,” stressing that effective leadership relies on inspiration and persuasion.

He also stated that leadership should be understood as a process rather than a position, explaining that it “unfolds through continuous interaction between leaders and followers within an organisational context.”

The governor traced the evolution of leadership theories from earlier beliefs that leaders are born with innate traits such as intelligence and confidence to modern perspectives which emphasise learned skills, behaviour and situational awareness.

He said, “leadership competence can be developed through education and experience,” identifying technical, human and conceptual skills as essential components of effective leadership.

Governor Aiyedatiwa noted that skills can be developed over time through education, experience, culture, intelligence and environmental influences, stressing that leadership capability is not fixed.

The governor also stated that leadership styles vary across situations, citing autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire approaches, adding that effective leadership often involves a combination of styles depending on circumstances.

Linking leadership to organisational performance, he said, “institutions perform better when leaders provide direction, formulate sound policies and inspire commitment.”

“No organisation can succeed without the commitment and effort of those responsible for implementation,” stressing the importance of human input in achieving results.

The governor further stated that performance is assessed through clearly defined objectives and Key Performance Indicators,” noting that measurement is essential to accountability.

On universities of technology, Governor Aiyedatiwa said they remain critical to national development, adding that “a university of technology exists not merely to award academic degrees but to produce skilled, innovative and technologically competent graduates.”

He cited FUTA as a leading example, noting that “the quality of graduates, research impact and innovation define institutional performance.”

He added that “technology has transformed the world into a global village,” adding that news travels so quickly that sometimes social media knows what has happened before official meetings conclude.

However, he warned that technology alone does not guarantee organisational success,” stressing that it must be integrated into leadership strategy.

Governor Aiyedatiwa also outlined Ondo State’s investments in education, infrastructure and technological development, describing them as deliberate steps to strengthen human capital and innovation.

He listed FUTA, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Adekunle Ajasin University, the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, and the proposed upgrade of Rufus Giwa University of Agriculture as key institutions driving the state’s development agenda.

Looking ahead, he said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics will continue to reshape leadership and organisational performance, stressing that “leadership must embrace technological advancement and innovation.”

He added that while artificial intelligence is transforming operations, leadership still requires wisdom, judgment and emotional intelligence.

The governor urged universities to equip students with not only technical knowledge but also adaptability and critical thinking, noting that students must acquire leadership capability alongside academic knowledge.

Governor Aiyedatiwa said leadership remains one of the most important determinants of organisational success, stressing that “the true measure of leadership is not only what we achieve today, but the future we prepare others to build.”

He added that “technology may change the tools we use, but leadership will always determine the direction in which society moves.”

In her welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, said leadership and technology remain central to improving organisational performance.

She noted that technology has become central in the digital age, serving as a vital tool for leaders to shape organisational direction, drive innovation and enhance impact.”

Oladiji said universities are repositories of knowledge, adding that knowledge is not generated in isolation, as engagement between scholars and practitioners strengthens intellectual growth.

She also commended the Ondo State Government’s interventions in FUTA, including the conversion of the State Specialist Hospital to a Teaching Hospital, water projects and road infrastructure within the campus.

Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Olukayode Ajulo; APC State Chairman, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde; members of the State House of Assembly; commissioners; traditional rulers, other top government officials and students of the institution.

Credit: Ebenezer Adeniyan, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State – April 16, 2026.

Photo Credit: Motunrayo Oyedele