NSUK Hosts 57th Inaugural Lecture as Prof. Yamma Advocates Value-Based Leadership for Nigeria’s Governance

Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, held its 57th Professorial Inaugural Lecture, delivered by Professor Abdullahi Mohammed Yamma, Professor of Public Policy Analysis in the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences.

The lecture, titled “Value-Based Leadership Style: Modelling and Theorising the Dynamics of Governance in Nigeria,” took place at the University Assembly Hall and drew a broad audience comprising members of the University Management, academics, students, representatives of traditional institutions, and other distinguished guests. Attendees described the presentation as timely, incisive, and intellectually stimulating.

In her welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, congratulated Professor Yamma on his distinguished academic journey and scholarly achievements. She commended the Professorial Inaugural Lecture Committee for organising a well-coordinated event and praised the Faculty of Social Sciences—particularly the Department of Political Science—for its sustained tradition of producing outstanding scholars.

Professor Liman noted that the lecture’s theme was highly relevant to Nigeria’s current realities, stressing that its insights could contribute meaningfully to strengthening governance structures, rebuilding public trust, and improving leadership practices across the country.

Delivering the lecture, Professor Yamma underscored the central role of value-based leadership in curbing excesses in public office. He identified accountability mechanisms such as freedom of information, open data systems, citizen participation, and media freedom as critical tools for promoting responsible governance.

He argued that leadership, accountability, and development are inseparably linked and have largely shaped Nigeria’s developmental outcomes. According to him, persistent challenges such as infrastructure deficits, corruption, weak accountability frameworks, and ineffective leadership continue to undermine national progress.

Professor Yamma further examined leadership as a key driver of public policy formulation and implementation, highlighting essential elements including vision, decision-making authority, political will, effective communication, integrity, and accountability. He maintained that value-based leadership—rooted in servant, transformational, and ethical leadership models—offers a credible pathway for reforming Nigeria’s governance system, strengthening institutions, and achieving sustainable development.

He called on public office holders to strictly uphold their oath of office, demonstrate exemplary conduct within and outside public service, and ensure equitable distribution of public resources. He also urged citizens to exercise restraint by avoiding undue personal pressures on public officials.

In their goodwill messages, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Yahaya Abdullahi Adadu, and the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Professor Muhammad Abubakar Lawoli, commended Professor Yamma for his resilience, dedication, and significant contributions to academia and public service, describing the lecture as a worthy intellectual note to his career milestone.

The event culminated in the presentation of an honorary award to Professor Yamma by the Vice-Chancellor in recognition of his scholarly contributions and impact on national development, followed by group photographs to mark the occasion.