28/09/2025
The Urgency of Responsive and Competent Leadership
Yesterday, Friday, 26th September, in Chicago, USA, I had the privilege of joining the Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA) Annual Conference 2025, where I delivered the Keynote Speech on the topic: “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence in Pharmaceutical Development and Healthcare Delivery.”
In my address, I emphasised that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is concurrent with the digital revolution and builds upon it. As transformative as it will be across different aspects of human life - particularly in healthcare - I expressed concern that Africa, and Nigeria in particular, may once again fail to take full advantage of this global shift. The reasons are not far-fetched: poor leadership, weak policy formulation, and the perennial challenge of policy implementation.
I drew parallels with our past experience with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While many Asian countries were able to formulate sound policies, craft strategies, and integrate these global goals into their national development agendas, achieving remarkable progress in critical areas, Africa has, regrettably, struggled to record similar outcomes.
For African nations, especially Nigeria, to harness the opportunities of the AI revolution, competent leadership is non-negotiable. We need leaders with capacity, character, compassion, and commitment - leaders who understand the transformative potential of AI and can position our societies to embrace it as a tool to leapfrog development.
Later in the day, I was also honoured to be the Keynote Speaker at another event held at the prestigious University of Chicago, with the theme: “Youth and Development Across the Diaspora: Vision, Purpose, Impact.”
I was happy to be at this world-class institution of higher learning, renowned for its intellectual tradition, pioneering research, and lasting influence in economics, law, and the social sciences.
The event was well attended and engaging. In place of a formal prepared address, I embraced the academic setting by transforming my keynote into an interactive dialogue of questions and answers. The conversation proved vibrant, thought-provoking, and deeply rewarding for all involved.
I concluded by encouraging the participants to sustain and deepen their interest in Africa’s development, reminding them that the continent’s future will be shaped not only by policies at home but also by the engagement, innovation, and solidarity of Africans in the diaspora.
- PO