Kukah: True Leadership Is Influence, Not Political Office

Nigerians have been urged to rethink their understanding of leadership, with Bishop Matthew Kukah insisting that leadership is defined not by position but by influence, service, and moral responsibility.

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto made the remarks in Lagos on Monday while delivering a keynote lecture to mark the fifth anniversary of Pastor Emily Aig-Imoukhuede.

According to him, Nigeria’s governance challenges are deeply rooted in the widespread belief that leadership is tied to political office rather than service and impact.

“Leadership is not office. You can occupy an office without being a leader, and you can lead without holding any office. Leadership is influence. Leadership is responsibility,” Kukah said.

He stressed that leadership must be evaluated by its impact on people, adding that public service should always aim at the common good, referencing Jeremy Bentham’s principle of “the greatest happiness for the greatest number.”

Kukah warned against a political culture where public office becomes a tool for personal enrichment, calling instead for a return to values such as integrity, accountability, and compassion.

He further argued that sustainable national development depends on strong moral foundations, noting that character and ethical values are central to effective leadership.

“Leadership is about vision, values and character,” he said. “Character is what you do when nobody is watching.”

The event drew a wide range of Nigeria’s political, business, and media elite, including Fola Adeola, Sam Amuka-Pemu, Nduka Obaigbena, Jim Ovia, Uzoma Dozie, and Temi Popoola, among others, reflecting the significance of the discourse on leadership.

In a tribute, Access Holdings Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede described his late mother, Pastor Emily, as a model of servant leadership defined by service to God, family, country, and humanity.

He said her philosophy of life was rooted in the belief that every blessing comes with responsibility and that true success lies in contribution, not accumulation.

A panel session moderated by Fola Adeola expanded the conversation further, framing leadership as a unified commitment to service across all aspects of life.

Participants, including Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack and Mrs Zelda Akindele, shared personal reflections on leadership challenges, particularly the tension between professional duties, family life, and public service.

Walson-Jack recounted her experience in Bayelsa State, describing it as the moment she fully understood leadership as service, while Akindele emphasized that leadership is a continuous process of balancing priorities under pressure.

Across the discussions, a central message emerged: leadership begins in the home, is shaped by values, and is ultimately measured by service to society.

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