Being the remarks by Alhaji (Dr.) Umaru Kwairanga, Group Chairman, NGX Group at the Better Leadership for a Better Nigeria by the Oxford Think Tank Leadership Conference in Abuja.
We are gathered here to give our perspectives on how to build a greater nation, especially through better leadership.
My opinion from three decades of leading various organisations as Managing Director, Director and Chairman is that the task is complex, ever changing and challenging but there are certain core principles that leaders, young and old should follow.
The first of these is Strategic Vision and Direction. You should define where you are taking the organisation to and how to get there and be able to communicate that strategy to all stakeholders so that you have unity of purpose.
Another important aspect of leadership is Management. Leaders at every level need to manage effectively but at the top, this is an even more important and less defined skill. Some of the most important aspects from my experience are people and risk management. Leaders need to very quickly identify the right team to help achieve their strategic goals and be able to steer them in the right direction.
The other quality that I would like to mention is Communication. Keeping good lines of communication open within the organisation and to other stakeholders outside is very important. It should be two-way communication, being able to receive and to give.
As the Chairman of the NGX Group, I am always available for events and functions that will help me perform my role better. I always used this type of opportunity to speak about the transformational changes in our NGX.
The most important point is to know where you are going or where you want to get to. Once you have defined the destination of the journey of transformation, it’s easier to determine how to get there, then be decisive in following that path.
In the NGX Group, we are focused on having a bigger, more vibrant Capital Market that reflects an economy of over Two Hundred Million People and helps the President achieve the vision of a Trillion Dollars Economy and we are pursuing that through new products, new listings, new technologies that make the Capital Market more attractive to Nigerian and Foreign Investors.
In conclusion, leadership is stewardship, stewardship of possibility. Our task is to build a more inclusive, transparent, and globally competitive Nigeria.
It will take courage, conviction and collaboration, but it’s within our reach.
Because in the end, leadership is not about standing at the top; it’s about lifting others as we climb.
