"Say Goodbye to Transactional Leaders: Wike's Bold Call to Action"

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, proclaimed on Thursday that it is time for Africa to progress beyond transactional leadership.

Wike stated that many African leaders are unprepared for their roles, resulting in the continent “groping in the dark, with nations continuously experimenting with the essentials of development: basic infrastructure, primary healthcare, functional economies, efficient democratic and judicial systems, and reliable institutions.”

He delivered these remarks during a keynote address at the 2025 Innovate Africa Conference in Abuja.

Addressing the theme, ‘Reimagining Africa’s Leadership and Investment,’ Wike asserted that for Africa to secure its future, “we must first reimagine leadership itself.”

According to Wike, “The time has arrived to transition from transactional leadership, which is driven by personal gain, patronage, and short-term considerations, to embrace transformational leadership based on vision, courage, service, and accountability.”

“Leadership should not exploit but empower; it should not dominate but serve; it should not merely transact but transform.”

“Many analysts agree that the foremost barrier to Africa’s advancement and the persistent issue that has hindered its development for decades is the prevalence of poor and mediocre leadership.”

“Throughout the continent, in both military and civilian regimes, leaders have frequently ascended through self-serving conspiracies that bear little or no relation to national interests or development priorities.”

“As a result, numerous African nations are burdened with leaders who are ill-equipped for the demands of leadership. This has led to a disheartening cycle of stumbling in the dark, with nations perpetually experimenting with the fundamentals of development: basic infrastructure, primary healthcare, functional economies, efficient democratic and judicial systems, and credible institutions.”

“The 21st century demands a new breed of African leaders who are prepared, principled, and passionate. Leaders who embody vision, moral integrity, and resilience. Leaders who believe in Africa’s limitless potential and act decisively to unlock it.”

“They must possess the courage to make tough yet necessary decisions; be proactive enough to foresee the future; and be committed enough to establish systems that prioritize excellence over mediocrity and performance over politics.”