Nigeria’s Leadership Crisis: VICM Sounds the Alarm Ahead of 2027 Elections

Mary Nnah

As Nigeria hurtles towards the 2027 elections, a clarion call has gone out to aspiring leaders to prioritize values-based leadership, accountability, and service to the people.

 Speaking at a press conference to commemorate Vision International Christian Ministries’ (VICM) 25th anniversary and its forthcoming Transformational Leadership Conference 2026, on Wednesday in Isheri North GRA, Ogun State, President/CEO of VICM, Francis Olubambi, emphasised that focused leadership is the answer to Nigeria’s myriad problems.

“Focused leadership is the answer to Nigeria’s problems,” Olubambi declared. “We need leaders who are committed to serving the people, not just themselves. The upcoming elections are a critical opportunity for Nigerians to choose leaders who will prioritize the country’s development and security.”

Olubambi lamented the erosion of values in Nigerian society, citing the prevalence of corruption, insecurity, and a lack of accountability.

He emphasized that leadership is not just about holding public office, but about character and competence.

“Character trumps competence,” he said. “If our values are wrong, our leadership will be wrong. We need leaders who will demonstrate integrity, transparency, and accountability.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s challenges are not insurmountable but require leaders who are willing to take the right path.

“Most of the things we see happening in our society, they are the presenting problems. The actual problems, and they are the byproducts of what we neglected yesterday, or some years back,” he said.

The VICM boss called for compulsory leadership training for aspiring politicians, saying it was essential for building a better Nigeria.

“We need to go back to the basics and teach people the values of respect, integrity, and hard work,” Olubambi said.

“We need to create a society where leaders are accountable to the people, not just themselves”, he added.

He also emphasised the importance of followers holding leaders accountable, saying, “It is a follower that has the wrong values that will clap for a politician that is stealing the commonwealth.”

As Nigeria prepares for the 2026 elections, VICM’s message is clear: it’s time for a change. It’s time for leaders who are committed to serving the people, not just themselves.

“We need leaders who will say, ‘I’m not here just to make money, I’m here to serve’,” Olubambi said. “We need leaders who will say, ‘I’m not here just to hold office, I’m here to make a difference’.”

The Transformational Leadership Conference 2026, themed “Focused Leadership,” will feature prominent speakers, including Dave Champness, Dr. Sam Adeyemi, and Ibukun Awosika, among others.

Nigerians are being urged to demand values-based leadership and hold their leaders accountable. The future of the country depends on it.

“We need to focus on building a society where leaders are accountable to the people, and where the people demand accountability from their leaders,” Olubambi said. “That’s the only way we can move Nigeria forward.”