The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), successfully held the 24th Centre LSD/KAS Bi-Annual Leadership Lecture and the 24th Graduation Ceremony of the Centre LSD Leadership School on 15th August 2026 at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja
The event, themed “Leadership, Tax and Development in Nigeria,” brought together leaders, development practitioners, public finance experts, professionals and graduates of the Centre LSD Leadership School for an engaging conversation on the critical relationship between effective leadership, taxation and national development.
The programme was hosted by Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Founding Executive Director of Centre LSD, with Mr. Monday Osasah, Executive Director of Centre LSD, serving as host.
The event featured Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Federal Republic of Nigeria, as the Special Guest of Honour.
Also speaking at the event was Austin Ndiokwelu, Public Finance and Fiscal Governance Strategist, who served as Guest Speaker, providing insights into Nigeria’s fiscal environment and the importance of building accountable, transparent and development-oriented systems.
The programme was chaired by Mrs. Kyauta Agmadalo Giwa, Board Chair of Centre LSD.
Leadership, Taxation and National Development
Discussions at the lecture highlighted the important role of taxation in financing sustainable development and the responsibility of leadership in ensuring that public resources are managed transparently and effectively.
The conversations further emphasized that citizens are more likely to support tax systems when governments demonstrate accountability, deliver essential public services and ensure that tax policies are fair, inclusive and supportive of economic growth. The lecture provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on the type of leadership required to strengthen Nigeria’s institutions, improve public finance management and translate government revenue into meaningful development outcomes for citizens.
Celebrating the 24th Set of Centre LSD Leadership School Graduates
A major highlight of the programme was the graduation of the 24th set of participants from the Centre LSD Leadership School. The graduation ceremony marked the completion of another cycle of leadership development designed to equip emerging and established leaders with the knowledge, values and skills required to provide transformational leadership within their organisations, communities and the wider society. The graduates were encouraged to apply the lessons gained from the Leadership School by demonstrating integrity, accountability, competence and a commitment to service in their various spheres of influence.
Through the Leadership School and its partnership with Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, Centre LSD continues to contribute to the development of a new generation of leaders who are equipped to address Nigeria’s governance and development challenges.
The successful conclusion of the 24th Bi-Annual Leadership Lecture and 24th Graduation Ceremony further reinforces Centre LSD’s commitment to building leadership capacity, promoting good governance and advancing sustainable development in Nigeria and Africa.
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