Oyedepo, Obasanjo Institute partner to drive transformational leadership in Africa

Renowned cleric and founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, has pledged to collaborate with the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute to train young people in transformative leadership across Africa.

The commitment was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Lagos by Prof. Elvis Otobo, Media Consultant to the institute, following Oyedepo’s visit to the leadership centre.

Oyedepo, who also serves as Chancellor of Covenant University, described the institute as a timely and strategic intervention aimed at reshaping leadership culture on the continent.

He stressed the urgent need for values-based and impact-driven leadership across all sectors of society.

According to him, OOLI’s approach to leadership development—anchored on experiential learning—distinguishes it from conventional training models.

He noted that facilitators at the institute, including former African presidents serving on its Board of Trustees, bring practical governance experience into the classroom.

“This model moves leadership training beyond theoretical frameworks to real-life case studies and proven principles,” Oyedepo was quoted as saying.

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The cleric pledged sustained collaboration with the institute, offering to contribute his wealth of leadership experience to support its academic faculty and programmes.

He said his involvement would focus on promoting values, nation-building, and institutional excellence.

Oyedepo further reaffirmed his support for OOLI’s inclusive approach, which targets both emerging and established leaders.

He commended the institute’s curriculum for integrating moral values, strategic thinking, and practical competence, adding that he would back its mission through prayer, partnership, and active participation.

In his remarks, former President Olusegun Obasanjo expressed appreciation for Oyedepo’s visit and endorsement, describing leadership deficit as Africa’s most pressing development challenge and a growing global concern.

Obasanjo explained that the institute was established to tackle leadership gaps from the grassroots level, targeting a broad spectrum of participants including secondary school prefects, student leaders, and executives across various sectors.

He cited a recent leadership training programme conducted for student leaders at the University of Lagos as evidence of the institute’s growing impact, noting that it significantly improved governance and representation among participants.

Also speaking, Prof. Adedeji Daramola, Deputy Director of the institute, outlined plans to expand OOLI’s training initiatives nationwide.

Representing the Director, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (Rtd), Daramola disclosed that the institute would collaborate with the Youth Development Centre of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library to train youths in Gombe State.

He explained that the initiative would engage students, young professionals, and emerging leaders through intensive workshops, aligning with the institute’s mandate to broaden access to quality leadership education.

Daramola added that the overarching goal of the programme is to equip young Africans with integrity, competence, and vision required to drive sustainable development across the continent.