Nigerian entrepreneur, philanthropist and Labour Party candidate for the Bende Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election, Dr. Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso, has called for a renewed commitment to trust-based leadership and strong institutions as the foundation for Africa’s sustainable development.
Dr. Anyaso made the call while speaking as a panelist at the 10th Anniversary Conference of the IFE Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS) at Harvard University, themed, “Building Lasting Institutions: Faith, Scholarship and the African Project.”
Addressing scholars, policymakers, business leaders, students and members of the African diaspora during a session on Leadership, Governance and Institutional Trust, Anyaso argued that Africa’s future would be determined not by the greatness of individual leaders but by the strength, credibility and resilience of its institutions.
Reflecting on his transition from business and philanthropy into public service, he said leadership should be viewed as a responsibility rather than a privilege.
“When good people shy away from politics, bad people take over governance, and society becomes the victim. Leadership is not a position; it is a responsibility. It is the highest form of service,” he said.
According to him, one of the greatest challenges facing many nations today is a crisis of trust between citizens and institutions.
“The most valuable currency in leadership is not money, influence or position—it is trust. Once trust is established, institutions can thrive. Once trust is broken, even the strongest institutions begin to weaken,” he stated.
Anyaso maintained that trust is essential for effective governance, noting that citizens obey laws, investors commit resources and democracies endure when people have confidence in public institutions.
Speaking on Africa’s development challenges, he said the continent does not lack talented individuals but has struggled to build enduring institutions capable of outliving their founders.
“Africa has produced exceptional leaders, entrepreneurs, scholars and innovators. The challenge before us is converting individual excellence into institutional excellence,” he said.
Drawing lessons from the private sector, the business leader stressed that successful organisations survive because they are built on systems, accountability and succession planning rather than on personalities.
“Businesses that depend solely on the founder rarely survive beyond one generation. A business survives when systems replace personalities. The same principle applies to nations,” he noted.
Anyaso further urged governments across Africa to strengthen transparency, meritocracy, accountability and adherence to the rule of law in order to rebuild public confidence in governance.
He also highlighted the role of faith-based institutions in promoting moral leadership and accountability, warning that leadership without character often results in power without purpose.
On education and innovation, he emphasized the importance of universities and research institutions in shaping national development.
“Countries that dominate the future are those that produce knowledge, not merely consume it,” he said.
The Labour Party chieftain called for greater investment in youth development, entrepreneurship, technology, education and civic participation, describing Africa’s young population as a critical asset for the continent’s future.
He also identified the African diaspora as a strategic bridge between Africa and global opportunities, urging stronger collaboration to drive development across the continent.
In his closing remarks, Anyaso appealed to leaders, scholars, policymakers, faith institutions and private-sector actors to work collectively toward building institutions that inspire trust, deliver results and endure across generations.
“The future of Africa will not be determined by the greatness of a few individuals. It will be determined by our ability to build institutions that inspire trust, deliver results and endure across generations,” he said.
He concluded with a message that drew strong applause from participants: “Strong men build moments. Strong institutions build civilizations.”
The conference brought together academics, policymakers, entrepreneurs, faith leaders, researchers and members of the African diaspora from around the world to discuss pathways for strengthening governance, institutional trust and sustainable development across Africa.
