The Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University, Professor Timothy A. Anake, has called on all stakeholders to take urgent action in order to expedite the development of the African Continent. He made this call while delivering his opening address at recently concluded 2nd Covenant University Conference on Leadership and Development (CUCLeD 2025), which held from June 11–13, 2025,at the University’s CUCRID Auditorium, with the theme, ‘Integrating Technology, Innovation, and Leadership for Africa’s Development.’
During his address at the conference which convened academics, policymakers, and thought leaders to deliberate on strategies for accelerating sustainable development across the continent, he emphasized the need for African leaders to adopt trans-formative strategies to ensure a sustainable developmental process in the continent. He highlighted the conference theme's alignment with Covenant University's Vision 7:2030, which focuses on Research Excellence, Innovation-Driven Education, Global Relevance, and Purposeful Leadership. Professor Anake underscored that these pillars are not mere aspirations but actionable commitments aimed at fostering Africa's growth.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Lanre Amodu, delivered a presentation at the event, titled, "Effective Communication Skills for Leaders," where he stressed that leadership is pivotal for any form of development. He cautioned that infrastructural advancements without corresponding human capacity development could be counterproductive. Professor Amodu advocated for enhancing communication skills to boost productivity and ensure sustainable development.
In his remarks at the event, the Dean of the College of Leadership Development Studies, Dr. Jonathan Odukoya, highlighted the role of inspiration in driving innovation. He posited that leaders must inspire their followers to achieve organizational goals, noting that inspiration often serves as the starting point for innovation in various sectors.
The keynote speaker, Professor Efem N. Ubi, Director of Research and Studies at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, addressed the topic, ‘Integrating Technology, Leadership, and Innovation for Africa’s Development.’ He urged African leaders to prioritize STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, citing his experiences in China and the U.S., where students from Asia predominantly pursued STEM fields, unlike many African students who focus on arts-related courses. Professor Ubi argued that a robust STEM education is foundational for driving Africa's development.
While making a presentation titled, ‘Cultivating the Leaders of Tomorrow,’ at the event, Professor Moses Duruji, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, encouraged young Africans to actively participate in leadership roles from an early age, drawing examples from biblical figures like David and Joseph, as well as contemporary youth leaders such as Zuriel Oduwole and Malala Yousafzai. He emphasized that early engagement in leadership fosters responsibility and prepares youths to contribute meaningfully to Africa's development.
The conference concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to implement the insights and strategies discussed, aiming to propel Africa towards a sustainable and prosperous future.