Former Anambra Governor,Peter Obi today served as the keynote speaker at the inaugural Lagos Business School MBA Students Conference, which also hosted visiting MBA students from Cambridge University’s Judge Business School. Speaking on the theme “Execution as a Competitive Edge,” Obi emphasised that planning and strategy are meaningless without effective execution.
Obi highlighted that execution is driven by competent and responsible leadership, characterised by capacity, compassion, and character, which ensures disciplined implementation of sound policies and strategies. He cited China, India, and Vietnam as examples, noting their substantial reduction of poverty through disciplined execution of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to Obi, these countries lifted over 430 million, 270 million, and 45 million people out of poverty, respectively.
In contrast, Obi pointed to Nigeria and much of Sub-Saharan Africa, where weak leadership and inconsistent execution have hindered similar progress. He noted that while other countries are reducing poverty, over 130 million Nigerians are currently classified as multidimensionally poor.
Obi further stressed that the principle applies equally to the private sector, where sustainable growth and strong performance are tied to competent and responsible leadership at the management and board levels.
He concluded by asserting that Nigeria needs disciplined leadership with capacity, compassion, and character to achieve lasting impact,
