The Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Jos, Professor Ayo Omotayo, has called on young Nigerians to prioritize values-based leadership as a key factor for personal growth and national development.
Omotayo, who was the guest speaker at the 2025 Alumni Lecture of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, delivered his address on Friday at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Oyo State. His lecture was centered on the theme "Value for Value: Options and Challenges in Re-charting Nigeria’s Developmental Trajectory."
During his address, Omotayo emphasized that the foundation of personal success lies in subscribing to core values. He stressed that for individuals to thrive, they must cultivate principles that guide their actions and decisions. He remarked, “If one desires to grow as an individual, they must have core values to which they subscribe. It is only through such values that personal growth can be achieved.”
Addressing the larger issue of national development, Omotayo noted that for Nigeria to experience substantial growth, citizens must collectively agree on a shared set of values. However, he pointed out that Nigerians are still uncertain about the country’s defining values, which have contributed to some of the nation’s challenges.
The NIPSS DG said, “Children of this generation must embrace values if they are to succeed in life, and as a nation, we need to decide what our values are. Unfortunately, Nigerians are still grappling with identifying these values. However, with the leadership of our president, I am confident that Nigeria will soon have a clearer understanding of the values we must uphold.”
Omotayo's call to action resonates deeply, urging the younger generations to take responsibility in shaping a future grounded in positive values..
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