NILDS Director General Advocates for Effective Leadership

On 16 October 2026, Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, the Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), delivered a keynote address titled “Leadership in Practice, Making Decisions, Managing People and Delivering Results” at the International Leadership Summit held at the University of Brighton, United Kingdom. He called for purposeful, people-centered, and results-driven leadership, asserting that true leadership is measured by the strength of the institutions left behind rather than the authority held by individuals.

Professor Sulaiman identified three key pillars of effective leadership: making sound decisions, managing diverse expectations, and delivering measurable results. He emphasized the need for leaders to navigate uncertainty and cultivate human potential.

Using NILDS as a case study, he illustrated how strategic execution and institutional resolve can enhance public institutions' relevance and impact, detailing NILDS's growth from four to thirteen operational departments and the establishment of new centers and Democracy Radio.