The President of the Maritime Arbitrators Association of Nigeria (MAAN), Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN, says Nigeria needs a new leadership culture anchored on integrity, innovation and service to drive sustainable growth and national development.
Anishere stated this in her goodwill message at the 8th Global Leadership Summit & Award 2026, themed, “Transformative Leadership for Sustainable Growth: Driving Innovation, Institutional Excellence and National Development”, in Lagos on Saturday.
She explained that leadership must go beyond the authority to direct others, stressing that it carries the responsibility to inspire, build, innovate and create an environment where people and institutions can achieve their full potential.
“Let us embrace a leadership culture founded on competence over mediocrity, integrity over expediency, innovation over stagnation, and service over self-interest.”
According to her, transformative leaders must have the courage to ask difficult questions, challenge outdated practices, embrace new ideas and develop sustainable solutions.
The prominent maritime lawyer said such leadership must also be measured by its impact, with success extending beyond personal achievement to the lives improved, institutions strengthened, opportunities created and legacies left behind.
She stressed that integrity and service must be supported by accountability, professionalism and respect for the rule of law, particularly in building strong institutions capable of delivering sustainable development.
“As a legal practitioner, I am particularly conscious that the rule of law remains fundamental to institutional development. Where the law is respected, institutions are strengthened; where institutions are strengthened, confidence grows; and where confidence grows, development becomes more sustainable.”
Anishere also identified innovation as a critical component of modern leadership, noting that institutions must continually evolve to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.
She highlighted technology, including artificial intelligence and digital transformation, as opportunities for improving governance, business, justice, education and other sectors of society.
The MAAN president said the need for such leadership was particularly important for Nigeria, given the country’s human capacity, entrepreneurial energy and abundant opportunities.
She maintained that the challenge was to develop leadership capable of converting these resources into sustainable growth and meaningful development.
Anishere urged leaders to see public office, professional positions and corporate responsibilities not merely as privileges, but as opportunities for service and instruments for positive change.
“We must cultivate a new generation of leaders who measure success not merely by personal achievement, but by the number of lives they improve, institutions they strengthen, opportunities they create and legacies they leave behind,” she said.
She stressed that the responsibility for transformative leadership does not rest solely with government, but is shared by professionals, entrepreneurs, public servants, academics, community leaders and citizens.
Anishere commended the organiser and its partners for sustaining the leadership summit and recognising individuals whose contributions exemplified leadership, excellence and dedicated service.
She congratulated the award recipients and expressed hope that their recognition would inspire others to aspire to greater heights.
