Jerry Gana: Nigeria’s problems can’t be solved without quality leadership

Jerry Gana, the former minister of information, says Nigeria’s problems cannot be solved without quality leadership.

Gana spoke with journalists in Kaduna on Friday after attending the 2025 reunion of the Northern States Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF).

The theme of the reunion was ‘Leading from the front: The role of Christian elders’.

The former minister said Nigeria will keep experiencing “maladministration” if quality leaders are not raised.

He said quality leaders do not emerge from “accidents” but are “deliberately raised” through training and mentorship.

Gana urged political leaders and churches to put efforts into raising “high-quality leaders” for the country, adding that the country’s future depends on men and women of character, competence, and integrity.

“Leaders don’t just emerge; they are deliberately raised,” he said.

“Those of us who are elders in the churches and other areas of responsibility must take time to look at people who are endowed with the qualities and characteristics of being good leaders.

“We must train them and prepare them to give good leadership. Nowhere in the world do leaders emerge by accident. They are trained deliberately.

“That is why I want to appeal to churches, elders, and political leaders to pay serious attention to raising high-quality leaders.

“Nothing happens without leadership. If we want Nigeria to move forward, we must be intentional about this.”

Commenting on the leadership recruitment system in Nigeria, Gana, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said political parties often neglect merit in favour of vested interests.

He said political parties must start to prioritise integrity and competence while fielding candidates for elective positions.

“In the party I belong to, the Peoples Democratic Party, I do my very best to ensure that only excellent candidates are given the opportunity to emerge as leaders,” he said.

“We are going to insist that all our candidates for governorship, senate, house of representatives, and the presidency must be men and women of character, integrity, honour, and wisdom. Nigerians deserve the best.”