Oyedepo,Obasanjo Unite for African Leadership

ABEOKUTA – In a significant boost to human capital development on the continent, the founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has pledged a strategic partnership with the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI).

​The collaboration aims to address Africa’s “leadership deficit” by equipping emerging leaders with values-based, impact-driven skills.

​The commitment was made on Thursday during Bishop Oyedepo’s high-level visit to the institute, located within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex in Abeokuta. The visit coincides with a period of heightened activity for the institute, which recently celebrated the 89th birthday of its founder, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and is preparing for a major executive rollout.

​A ‘Timely’ Intervention

​Commending Chief Obasanjo for the initiative, Bishop Oyedepo described the institute as a “timely and strategic response” to the leadership crisis across various sectors in Africa. He specifically praised OOLI’s experiential learning model, which leverages the insights of seasoned African statesmen and global professionals.

​”I will keep my doors open for collaboration,” Oyedepo stated, promising to make his extensive experience in ministry, education, and institution-building available as a resource. “I will continue to support the institute in prayer, partnership, and participation.”

ADVERTISEMENT

​Bridging the Leadership Gap

​Responding to the endorsement, Chief Obasanjo reiterated that a lack of disciplined leadership remains the primary hurdle to Africa’s progress. He explained that OOLI was designed to tackle this “from the roots,” with programs spanning secondary schools, tertiary institutions, and the executive cadre.

​Obasanjo highlighted the success of a recent pilot program with the University of Lagos, noting that it had already led to a visible “reorientation” among student leaders.

​Global Faculty for Executive Training

​Building on this momentum, the institute’s Deputy Director, Prof. Adedeji Daramola, announced that a prestigious three-month executive training program on transformational leadership is set to begin on March 28, 2026.

​The program will feature a world-class faculty, including:

• ​Ameenah Gurib-Fakim: Former President of Mauritius.
• ​Prof. Benedict Oramah: Immediate past President of Afreximbank.

​Targeted at CEOs, senior managers, and diplomats, the training aims to transition African leadership from personality-driven styles to system-anchored development.

​In a further expansion of its reach, OOLI disclosed plans to partner with the Gombe State Youth Parliament through the Presidential Library’s Youth Development Centre, ensuring that leadership workshops reach young people across all regions of Nigeria.