Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, Director-General of Nigeria’s National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), has urged African leaders to strengthen institutions, promote accountability and pursue measurable results, arguing that the true test of leadership lies not in the authority individuals exercise but in the strength of the institutions they leave behind.Sulaiman made the call while delivering a keynote address titled “Leadership in Practice: Making Decisions, Managing People and Delivering Results” at the International Leadership Summit held at the University of Brighton in the United Kingdom on the 14th of October 2026. He challenged leaders across the world to prioritise institution-building, human development and measurable results.
Sulaiman urged African leaders to make decisions based on purpose rather than popularity, respect human dignity and assess their achievements by the strength of the institutions they leave behind. He outlined what he called a “leadership covenant,” calling on leaders to anchor decisions in institutional purpose, put people at the centre of organisational development and measure success by the durability of the institutions they build.
The Director-General argued that institutions become stronger when the people working within them become stronger, a philosophy that underpins NILDS’ mandate to strengthen legislative and democratic institutions. He called for a new generation of leaders committed to strengthening democratic institutions, upholding human dignity and creating opportunities for future generations.
NILDS as a Model of Institutional TransformationUnder Sulaiman’s leadership, NILDS has trained over 3,000 lawmakers and expanded its departments from 4 to 13, demonstrating the importance of purposeful leadership, evidence-based decision-making and effective personnel management in building sustainable institutions. The institute has also grown its partnerships across Africa, working with countries including Benin, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Somalia, South Africa and Uganda to strengthen democratic institutions and legislative capacity.
Sulaiman has positioned NILDS as an intellectual hub for democracy, serving not only Nigeria’s parliament but also legislatures across Africa and democratic institutions around the world. The institute’s growth reflects the value of investing in institutional capacity as a foundation for good governance.
Sulaiman’s message comes at a time when many African countries are grappling with weak institutions, limited accountability and governance challenges that constrain development. He has previously highlighted the need for deeper collaboration among the executive, judiciary and legislature, warning that without knowledge, skills and capacity building, good governance will remain elusive.
For African leaders, the call to build stronger institutions represents a shift away from personality-driven governance towards systems that can sustain progress beyond individual officeholders’ tenures. The challenge now is to translate this vision into concrete reforms that strengthen accountability, capacity and delivery across the continent.
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