…VC Commends State’s Intervention In Teaching Hospital, Projects
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has challenged universities in the country to train their students in such a way that they will be able to respond to global disruptions and emerging challenges.
Aiyedatiwa, who spoke on Thursday, noted that Nigeria’s future economic and technological advancement would depend largely on the quality of leadership and the strength of its educational institutions.
In the Foundation Day lecture delivered at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Aiyedatiwa said universities must play a central role in producing a new generation of leaders.
In the lecture titled “Leadership, Organisational Performance and Technology in a Rapidly Changing World, ” the governor described higher institutions as critical to innovation, human capital development, and national competitiveness, stressing that their role goes beyond certification to shaping individuals who will influence societal direction.
According to him, “leadership remains fundamental to organisational success,” saying that it involves influencing and motivating people towards achieving collective goals rather than exercising authority through coercion.
Aiyedatiwa stated that “leadership is a continuous process based on interaction between leaders and followers,” noting that its effectiveness depends on the ability to adapt to changing realities.
Governor Aiyedatiwa said “Leadership is fundamentally about influence rather than coercion,” stressing that effective leadership relies on inspiration and persuasion.
Also, the Governor stated that leadership should be understood as a process rather than a position, explaining that it “unfolds through continuous interaction between leaders and followers within an organisational context.”
The governor traced the evolution of leadership theories from earlier beliefs that leaders are born with innate traits such as intelligence and confidence to modern perspectives that emphasise learned skills, behaviour, and situational awareness.
He said: “Leadership competence can be developed through education and experience,” identifying technical, human, and conceptual skills as essential components of effective leadership.
Governor Aiyedatiwa noted that skills can be developed over time through education, experience, culture, intelligence, and environmental influences, stressing that leadership capability is not fixed.
The governor also stated that leadership styles vary across situations, citing autocratic, democratic and laissez-faire approaches, adding that effective leadership often involves a combination of styles depending on circumstances.
Linking leadership to organisational performance, Aiyedatiwa said, “institutions perform better when leaders provide direction, formulate sound policies and inspire commitment.”
“No organisation can succeed without the commitment and effort of those responsible for implementation,” stressing the importance of human input in achieving results.
The governor further stated that performance is assessed through clearly defined objectives and Key Performance Indicators,” noting that measurement is essential to accountability.
On universities of technology, Aiyedatiwa said they remain critical to national development, adding that “a university of technology exists not merely to award academic degrees but to produce skilled, innovative and technologically competent graduates.”
He cited FUTA as a leading example, noting that “the quality of graduates, research impact, and innovation define institutional performance.”
He said “Technology has transformed the world into a global village,” adding that news travels so quickly that sometimes social media knows what has happened before official meetings conclude.
However, he warned that technology alone does not guarantee organisational success,” stressing that it must be integrated into leadership strategy.
Aiyedatiwa also outlined Ondo State’s investments in education, infrastructure, and technological development, describing them as deliberate steps to strengthen human capital and innovation.
He listed FUTA, Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Adekunle Ajasin University, the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, and the proposed upgrade of Rufus Giwa University of Agriculture as key institutions driving the state’s development agenda.
Looking ahead, he said emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics would continue to reshape leadership and organisational performance, stressing that “leadership must embrace technological advancement and innovation.”
While artificial intelligence is transforming operations, Aiyedatiwa said leadership still requires wisdom, judgment, and emotional intelligence.
The governor urged universities to equip students with not only technical knowledge but also adaptability and critical thinking, noting that students must acquire leadership capability alongside academic knowledge.
Aiyedatiwa said leadership remains one of the most important determinants of organisational success, stressing that “the true measure of leadership is not only what we achieve today, but the future we prepare others to build.”
His words “Technology may change the tools we use, but leadership will always determine the direction in which society moves.”
In her welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of FUTA, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, said leadership and technology remain central to improving organisational performance.
She noted that technology has become central in the digital age, serving as a vital tool for leaders to shape organisational direction, drive innovation, and enhance impact.”
Oladiji said universities are repositories of knowledge, saying that knowledge is not generated in isolation, as engagement between scholars and practitioners strengthens intellectual growth.
She also commended the Ondo State Government’s interventions in FUTA, including the conversion of the State Specialist Hospital to a Teaching Hospital, water projects, and road infrastructure within the campus.
