By EricJames Ochigbo

The President of the African School of Governance (ASG), Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, has urged African leaders to embrace the principles of transparency, inclusivity, and the separation of powers to fast-track the continent’s development.

Moghalu made the call on Friday in Abuja at a dialogue on Governance Education in Africa.

The event was organised by the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI), a group of former scholars from the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Jos.

He explained that historically, African societies were governed by kings and chiefs, whose authority was often hereditary and centralised.

He said, while effective in certain contexts, such systems lacked the accountability and citizen participation integral to modern democratic governments.

“As African nations embrace democracy, there is an urgent need to educate leaders on the principles of transparency, inclusivity, and separation of powers

“Effective governance is the cornerstone of sustainable development, social justice, and economic prosperity,” Moghalu said.

Moghalu, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), emphasised that good governance was essential for leadership to translate into transformation.

He clarified that governance involved the processes through which decisions were made, authority was exercised, and accountability was ensured, while leadership focused on guiding and inspiring others.

He stressed that the empowerment of citizens was crucial.

“Citizens must understand their rights, the workings of government, and the standards that guide the management of public life,” Moghalu noted.

The former 2019 presidential candidate for the Young Progressive Party (YPP) also called for more technically competent individuals in government, saying that a unified and competent workforce would lead to faster, more efficient progress.

Earlier, AANI President, Amb. Emmanuel Okafor, highlighted the association’s commitment to foster meaningful discussions and collaborations that contributed to national development.

He expressed confidence that the dialogue would provide a platform for exploring innovative solutions and partnerships to promote good governance in Africa.

“We must explore innovative approaches to governance education that will drive sustainable development and transformative governance solutions for Africa,” Okafor said.

Event Chairman Mr Mohammed Unar emphasised the need for a critical examination of democracy and its application in Africa.

He pointed out gaps in infrastructure, especially in rural areas, and called for an increase in literacy levels across the continent.

Unar also noted the importance of educating both leaders and citizens on democratic principles for a more effective governance system.(NAN)