By Adesina Wahab

The Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI), headquartered at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, hosted Bishop David O. Oyedepo, Founder and Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide and Chancellor of Covenant University, on a high level visit that underscored a shared commitment to raising a new cadre of transformational leaders for Africa and the world.
Bishop Oyedepo, one of the world’s most respected Christian leaders and a globally recognized voice on faith, leadership, education, and national development, commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo, for the vision and courage to establish the Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute.
According to him, OOLI is “a timely and strategic response that will realign emerging leaders with true transformative leadership traits,” especially at a time when values-based, impact-driven leadership is urgently needed across sectors.
Bishop Oyedepo particularly celebrated OOLI’s strong emphasis on experiential learning. He noted that the institute’s model, where seasoned facilitators and former African Presidents from five nations serve on the Board of Trustees teach from their lived experiences, offers a rare and powerful platform for authentic leadership formation.
He observed that such a practice-based approach moves leadership training beyond theory to tested principles, real-life case studies, and lessons distilled from decades of governance, diplomacy, enterprise, and public service.
Reaffirming his belief in the institute’s mission, Bishop Oyedepo pledged to keep his doors open for collaboration with OOLI. He further expressed willingness to make his own leadership journey and experiences available as a resource for the institute’s faculty and programmes, especially in the areas of values, nation-building, and institutional excellence.
In his remarks, President Olusegun Obasanjo appreciated Bishop Oyedepo’s visit and endorsement of the institute’s vision. He reiterated that leadership deficit remains the central challenge confronting Africa’s development and increasingly, a global problem.
He explained that OOLI was deliberately designed to intervene “from the roots,” with leadership formation beginning at the level of:
Secondary school prefects and student leaders.
President Obasanjo cited the bespoke leadership training recently organised for student leaders at the University of Lagos as a practical example of OOLI’s impact. The programme, he noted, has brought “tremendous reorientation” to student leaders and significantly improved the quality of governance and representation within the institution.
Speaking on behalf of General Martin Luther Agwai (Rtd.), Director of the Institute, the Deputy Director, Prof. Adedeji Daramola, highlighted OOLI’s commitment to taking transformational leadership training across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
He announced that the institute, in partnership with the Youth Development Centre of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, would be engaging with the Gombe State Youth Parliament to deliver intensive youth leadership workshops for students, young professionals, and emerging leaders in Gombe State.
According to Prof. Daramola, this initiative is part of OOLI’s broader mandate to democratize access to high-quality leadership education, ensuring that young people in all regions. North and South, are equipped to lead with integrity, competence, and vision.
Prof. Daramola further disclosed that OOLI would commence another three month Executive Training on Transformational Leadership for:Chief Executives and senior managers, Diplomats and professionals
Public office holders within and outside Nigeria.
In closing, Bishop Oyedepo reiterated his support for OOLI’s dual focus on present and future leadership, from young student leaders to sitting executives and policymakers. He commended the institute for integrating moral conviction, strategic thinking, and practical competence in its curriculum.
He pledged to continue to stand with the institute in prayer, partnership, and participation, and to make his experiences in ministry, education, and institution-building available as a resource to strengthen OOLI’s faculty and programmes.