EXPERT AGREE ON ESSENCE OF GOOD LEADERSHIP AT 8TH GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT AND AWARD 2026
Story Lola Adesokan
The 8th Global Leadership Summit & Award 2026, organised by Searchlight News, Global Searchlight Magazine and SLTV Online, was held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Presken Hotel & Resort, Ikeja, Lagos, under the theme:
“Transformative Leadership for Sustainable Growth: Driving Innovation, Institutional Excellence and National Development.”
After presentations, goodwill messages and extensive discussions by distinguished speakers and participants, the summit observed that Nigeria’s sustainable development requires leadership that combines innovation, institutional strength, accountability, inclusion and human-capital development.
The summit therefore resolved as follows:
Innovation must be prioritised across government, business, maritime, technology, education and other sectors as a major driver of productivity, competitiveness and sustainable growth.
Strong and accountable institutions must be built and sustained, because innovation cannot deliver lasting national development where institutions are weak, inefficient or lacking in public confidence.
Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy potential should be urgently harnessed through credible governance, clear regulations, bankable projects and sustainable financing mechanisms, including PPPs, blue bonds and foreign investment.
Women must be given greater opportunities to participate in leadership and decision-making, particularly in sectors where their representation remains inadequate.
Technology should complement human expertise rather than replace it. Organisations should invest simultaneously in digital transformation, professional training, mentorship and human-capital development.
Structured knowledge-transfer and succession programmes should be strengthened in both public and private institutions to prevent the loss of valuable institutional knowledge when experienced professionals retire or leave service.
Retirement should be viewed as a transition rather than the end of leadership. Experienced professionals should be encouraged to continue contributing through mentoring, coaching, consulting, advisory roles, community service and other forms of purposeful engagement.
Leadership development should begin with character and responsibility. Leaders must promote competence, integrity, fairness, compassion, professionalism and service above personal interest.
Public and private sector stakeholders should strengthen collaboration, recognising that national development cannot be achieved by government alone.
The summit commended Searchlight News and the Global Searchlight Magazine team for sustaining the Global Leadership Summit & Award as a platform for dialogue, recognition, networking and the promotion of transformative leadership.
The summit further called on leaders, professionals, institutions and citizens to move beyond discussions and turn ideas into practical actions that can produce measurable improvements in people’s lives and strengthen Nigeria’s institutions.
The summit concluded that transformative leadership is not defined by position, but by impact — and that Nigeria’s future will be stronger when innovation, institutional excellence and responsible leadership become a shared national commitment.
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