Former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, delivered a compelling and reflective address at the launch of the Access Leadership School, where he underscored the urgent need for intentional leadership development and value-driven institutional transformation across Africa.
He was warmly received by Access Holdings leadership and participants at the event, where he was introduced with deep admiration as a statesman whose influence has spanned governance, diplomacy, and continental development. The atmosphere reflected a rare convergence of corporate leadership and national statesmanship, with participants described as “Access Warriors” gathered both physically and virtually to witness the occasion.
In his remarks, President Obasanjo commended Access Bank Plc for what he described as a bold departure from conventional corporate practice, noting that the establishment of a leadership school represents more than a symbolic initiative. He emphasized that it is a declaration of institutional belief that leadership excellence does not occur by accident but must be deliberately cultivated.
He further highlighted that leadership cannot be confined to boardrooms, conferences, or elite spaces, stressing the importance of taking leadership education into homes, communities, and everyday life. According to him, sustainable leadership development must begin at the family level, where values such as character, courage, and clarity of vision are formed and strengthened.
Obasanjo also reflected on the broader responsibility of African institutions in shaping the continent’s future, urging collaboration between organisations committed to leadership development. He noted that Africa’s progress depends on the deliberate investment of its institutions, including financial organisations, educational bodies, and governments, in building leaders who are ethical, capable, and transformational.
He stressed that leadership is not only taught but also forged through experience, tested in adversity, and refined through continuous reflection. This, he said, is why partnerships between institutions like the Access Leadership School and other leadership-focused platforms are essential to building a stronger leadership ecosystem for Nigeria and the continent at large.
“These words from President Olusegun Obasanjo at the launch of the Access Leadership School reminded us why we do what we do. It’s easy for a bank to talk about transactions, but it takes institutional faith to talk about transformation.
Because the future of leadership cannot be left to chance. It must be built intentionally, shaped by values, and carried into the spaces where it matters most.
With the Access Leadership School, we are taking a deliberate step towards raising leaders who will influence not just institutions, but communities, and ultimately, the continent.”
The event closed on a note of shared conviction that leadership development is not optional but foundational to Africa’s progress, with Access Bank reaffirming its commitment to shaping a new generation of leaders equipped for impact beyond the financial sector.
