IOE, Aderonke foundation organise leadership devt conference for ABU staff, students
The Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, and Aderonke Foundation, have jointly organised a leadership development conference for staff and students of the university.
The conference, ‘Re-Imagining Leadership: Key Strategies for Global Impact’, took place on 17th and 18th June, 2026, at the CBN Centre for Economics and Finance, Main Campus, Samaru, Zaria.
Speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Ahmed, commended the Management of the Institute of Education for organising the conference.
The event, according to him, would further cement the collaborations between the two organisations.
Prof Ahmed, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Prof Raymond Bako, described the conference as a significant milestone in shaping the minds of senior academics, administrators and students who are leaders of tomorrow.
The Vice-Chancellor expressed optimism that Nigeria would be a better place with good leadership.
Prof Ahmed thanked the Chief Executive Officer of Aderonke Foundation, Dr Aderonke Kujore, for her commitment in making life better for the younger generation.
He congratulated the Institute of Education and all participants and assured them of the university’s continuous support in ensuring the success of the conference.
Earlier in an address of welcome, the Director, Institute of Education, Prof Abubakar Muhammad Jumare, said the conference became necessary as leadership remains vital.
According to him, all key decisions emanate from top senior academics and administrators of the university.
Prof Jumare encouraged all participants to make good utilization of the knowledge acquired for the betterment of the university and the future generation.
The Director expressed gratitude to the Chief Executive Officer of Aderonke Foundation, Dr. Aderonke Kujore, for her continuous support to the institute and university at large.
In a presentation, the Chief Executive Officer, Aderonke Foundation, Dr. Aderonke Kujore, defined leadership as the process of deciding on a goal and bringing people together to work towards a shared goal.
Dr. Kujore identified listenership, good decision making, bringing people together, empathy and team work as good qualities a leader should possess.
Kujore said collaborating with the university was not by chance, rather a paramount decision that had yielded the desired result.
In another presentation, Prof Siraj AbdulKarim of the Faculty of Public Administration, affirmed that leadership is a multidimensional process that is being defined in different schools by different scholars because of its importance in all walks of life.
Prof Siraj noted that there many different definitions of leadership as there are many people trying to define it.
According to him, there are leaders by trait and those who became through the process of learning.
In her presentation on ‘Technology and the Future of Higher Education’, the Head, Department of Computer Engineering, Dr Basira Yahaya, noted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) became very significant in day-to-day activities of academics and senior administrators.
Dr Basira enjoined all participants to have a vision on the ethical usage of artificial intelligence in executing their goals as leaders.
Speaking on becoming a good leader, setting the vision, planning, execution and monitoring, Alhaji Yakubu Adoke, urged all participants to be visionary in carrying out all plans.
Adoke said becoming a good depends on the determination and goals aimed to be achieved by an individual.
In a closing remark, the Director, General Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Malam Sani Abashe, appreciated the Director Institute of Education and the CEO, Aderonke Foundation, for giving them the opportunity to participate in the conference.
Abashe described the conference as insightful and thought-provoking.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (NEWS/AHW/PIC/TKU)
Friday, 3rd July, 2026
