Lagos: In an age marked by geopolitical shocks, institutional distrust, and digital acceleration, governance can no longer afford to be performative. Leadership must be principled, strategy must be people-centred, and transformation must be inclusive. These were the resounding themes at the recently concluded executive development programme-Strategic Governance and Leadership: Steering Excellence in Turbulent Times-designed and delivered by TEXEM, UK, in Lagos on July 16-17. The programme gathered senior executives from Nigeria's public and private sectors to co-create insights, strategies, and actionable tools for leading through uncertainty and shaping a resilient future.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiative was anchored by world-renowned faculty, including Bradley Jones, Executive Director of the UAE-UK Business Council, and Dr Alim Abubakre, Founder and Chair of TEXEM, UK. The programme delivered not just knowledge but catalytic impact. Dr Abubakre emphasized that true leadership is not a function of title or tenure but the ability to steward trust, inspire action, and govern with integrity, especially in turbulent times.
Day One of the programme redefined governance, with participants engaging in sessions on VUCA thinking, crisis leadership, and managerial agility. Bradley Jones shared insights on adaptive leadership, where paradoxes such as control vs. flexibility and legacy vs. disruption are seen as engines of innovation. The discussions underscored the need for Nigerian organizations to transition from linear thinking to systems strategy, highlighting the importance of public-private synergy for future excellence.
On Day Two, Dr Abubakre led a session on Values-Driven Governance in a Digital Age, exploring the evolution from Governance 1.0 to Governance 3.0. Participants examined frameworks from leading publications and learned how to embed stewardship KPIs, scenario foresight, and stakeholder empathy into boardroom charters. Case studies, such as Access Bank Nigeria's gender equity policy, illustrated the integration of digital innovation with ethical purpose.
The Boardroom Hackathon challenged executives to redesign their governance structures, resulting in actionable plans for the digital era. The focus then shifted to Future-Focused Governance, with delegates studying visionary institutions like the Welsh Future Generations Commission. Bradley Jones highlighted the need to balance short-term investor demands with long-term societal imperatives, resonating with President Bola Tinubu's call for fiscal responsibility towards future generations.
TEXEM, UK's methodology, characterized by experiential learning and African contextualization, ensured the programme's strategic relevance and lasting impact. Over 70% of TEXEM's clients return, a testament to the trust and value it provides. The Lagos cohort left with not only certificates but renewed courage and practical frameworks.
The programme concluded with a call to purpose, reminding leaders that governance serving only shareholders is obsolete, while governance serving society is unstoppable. TEXEM, UK continues to shape strategic African leadership through values-driven decisions, guiding leaders to govern wisely and build enduring legacies.