Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised what he described as the dominance of transactional and mediocre leadership across Africa, blaming it for the continent’s persistent underdevelopment despite its vast resources.

Speaking at the Innovate Africa Conference 2025 in Abuja, where he delivered a keynote address titled “Reimagining Africa’s Leadership and Investment”, Wike said Africa’s challenges stem from leaders who prioritise personal gain over national progress.

“Africa stands at a crossroads — blessed with wealth and youth yet held back by weak institutions, poverty, and unemployment. How can a continent so richly endowed remain so constrained?” he asked.

The minister, who received the Innovate Africa Leadership Award 2025, said the solution lies in embracing visionary and accountable leadership that transforms challenges into opportunities.

“The time has come to move from transactional leadership to transformational governance — one that empowers, serves, and builds,” he said.

Wike urged leaders to embrace servant-leadership defined by empathy, humility, and shared responsibility, noting that effective leadership can turn vision into tangible results.

Citing ongoing projects in Abuja, he said infrastructural renewal under his watch shows how political will and accountability can drive progress.

He also commended President Bola Tinubu’s reform-driven leadership, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, describing it as a courageous step toward economic stability and development.

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