LASU Pioneers Digital Solutions for Nigeria’s Governance Challenges
Lagos State University at the LASUMPA leadership conference has unveiled digital solutions to Nigeria's leadership problems.
Chris Oyeoku Okafor 
The Lagos State University (LASU), renowned as Nigeria’s most digitally-driven Ivory Tower institution, has unveiled a groundbreaking solution to the country’s persistent leadership challenges. At the 2024 LASU Master of Public Administration (LASUMPA) Leadership Summit, held on February 24, 2024, experts converged to discuss the theme: “A Shift From Traditional Public Administration to Digital Public Administration: Whither Nigeria?” The summit, hosted at the Makanjuola Hall on LASU’s Ojo Main Campus, emphasized the urgent need for a transparent digital approach to governance.
The LASU summit brought together diverse voices, echoing a unanimous sentiment: Nigeria’s administrative woes demand a radical shift. With unwavering resolve, the speakers championed the adoption of digital tools and strategies to revolutionize public administration. Their consensus? Only transparency, facilitated by digitalization, can rescue Nigeria from its bureaucratic quagmire.
In her welcome address, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, LASU’s Vice-Chancellor and recent recipient of the prestigious Mandela Leadership Prize for Integrity and Transparency, underscored the importance of gender inclusivity. While endorsing digitalization, she tactfully steered the conversation toward women’s participation in public leadership. Despite women constituting a significant portion of Nigeria’s civil service, they often remain overshadowed by their male counterparts, even in the digital arena.
Prof. Sylvester Fajonyomi, former Dean of the Faculty of Management Science, delivered the keynote address titled: “A Shift From Traditional Public Administration to Digital Public Administration: Whither Nigeria?” His compelling argument emphasized that transparency remains paramount, regardless of the extent of digitalization. As Nigeria’s leaders contemplate a full-scale digital transformation, Fajonyomi urged them to uphold integrity and openness.
The Stay Africa Youth Development Initiative (SAYDI-AFRICA), an organization dedicated to cultivating leadership talent, played a pivotal role in supporting the LASU summit. SAYDI-AFRICA’s recognition of Prof. Olatunji-Bello further solidifies her status as an inspirational figure for aspiring leaders across Africa.
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The Nelson Mandela Leadership Prize serves as a beacon, illuminating the path toward a digitally empowered Nigeria. As LASU continues to lead the charge, the nation stands poised for a transformative future.
