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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Nigeria needs leaders with capacity for effective leadership — Cleric

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Apostle Lawrence Achudume stated that Nigeria requires leaders with the capacity for effective leadership, attributing current challenges to unprepared individuals in authority.
  • He emphasized that leadership involves responsibility and sacrifice, not just position, and that God refines leaders through difficult seasons.
  • Achudume urged leaders to embrace discipline and accountability, and encouraged women to rise as leaders by embracing responsibility and allowing faith to shape them.

Lead Pastor of Victory Life Bible Church International, Apostle Lawrence Achudume, has asserted that Nigeria desperately needs leaders possessing the capacity for effective leadership. He attributed many of the nation's persistent leadership challenges to the emergence of individuals who seek positions of authority without the necessary character, preparation, and capacity.

Leadership is beyond position.

— Apostle Lawrence AchudumeAchudume's statement emphasizing that true leadership involves more than just holding an office.

Achudume, speaking at the 2026 All Women Summit in Abeokuta, stressed that "leadership is beyond position." He observed that many aspire to occupy offices but are unwilling to undertake the responsibilities and sacrifices that define true leadership. Quoting biblical scripture, he noted that leadership can appear as a "curse" due to constant criticism, and that God refines leaders through seasons of discomfort, sacrifice, and endurance rather than convenience.

Leadership often looks like a curse because no matter what you do, people will still criticise you.

— Apostle Lawrence AchudumeAchudume acknowledging the difficulties and public scrutiny that leaders face.

The cleric maintained that Nigeria will continue to struggle with poor governance if leadership positions are filled by unprepared, unequipped individuals driven by ambition rather than a spirit of service. He called for leaders across government, the Church, and other sectors to embrace discipline, accountability, and prompt responsiveness to the needs of the populace.

God refines leaders through seasons of discomfort, sacrifice and endurance rather than convenience.

— Apostle Lawrence AchudumeAchudume's perspective on the process of leadership development.

Furthermore, Achudume challenged women to step into leadership roles within their homes, professions, communities, and the Church. He urged them to reject excuses, embrace responsibility, and allow their faith to shape their character, purpose, and influence, emphasizing that "Leadership is beyond desire; can you pay the price?" The summit also paid tribute to his late wife, Reverend Fola Achudume, whose vision inspired the event.

Leadership is beyond desire; can you pay the price?

— Apostle Lawrence AchudumeAchudume challenging participants to consider the sacrifices required for leadership.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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