Leadership is Responsibility, Not Title — Olalere
15th March, 2026
A public affairs analyst, Dr. Ola Olalere, has stressed that true leadership is defined by responsibility and service rather than the possession of titles, urging leaders in Nigeria to align their goals with the needs of the people.
Olalere stated this while delivering a lecture titled “Leadership and Legacy: Shaping the Future Through Service.” He explained that leadership involves influencing, directing and motivating people toward the achievement of a common goal.
According to him, a major challenge in governance occurs when the goals of leaders differ from those of the people they are meant to serve.
“If what politicians want is different from what the people want, that is not leadership. Likewise, if what people want is different from what the leader is providing, then leadership has failed,” he said.
He cited his experience working on a World Bank community project, noting that development initiatives often begin with a proper community needs assessment to determine what people truly require.
Olalere urged leaders in politics, academia and the civil service to adopt similar approaches in governance by listening to citizens and responding to their needs.
The speaker also criticized situations where leaders deny obvious societal problems, such as insecurity and economic hardship, despite widespread public complaints.
He described leadership as a responsibility rather than a title, warning that leaders who constantly assert their authority without demonstrating responsibility risk losing credibility.
“Leadership should show through actions and responsibility, not through constant reminders of position or power,” he added.
Olalere further distinguished between leadership and management, explaining that leadership relies on motivation and influence, while management is often based on enforcement of rules and discipline.
Quoting leadership expert John C. Maxwell, he noted that leadership is fundamentally about influence and the ability to inspire people to pursue shared goals.
The lecturer also spoke on the concept of legacy, describing it as the reputation and values leaders leave behind for future generations.
He warned that societies must be deliberate about the legacies they build through institutions, governance practices and public conduct.
Olalere also expressed concern about what he described as growing blind loyalty in politics, where people support leaders based on sentiments such as religion or political affiliation rather than competence and capacity.
He emphasized that sustainable leadership should be based on performance, accountability and the ability to deliver results that improve society.
Referring to the importance of institutional independence, he recalled the famous statement by former Supreme Court Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, who once said: “We are final not because we are infallible, but we are infallible because we are final.”
Olalere concluded by urging leaders at all levels to focus on problem-solving, responsibility and service, noting that the future of the country depends largely on the quality of leadership it produces.
