Wike Urges Youths to Embrace Leadership as Service, Not Personal Gain

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged Nigerian youths to embrace leadership as a responsibility anchored on service to the people rather than a pathway to personal enrichment or self-interest.

Wike made the call on Saturday while speaking at the 36th Convocation Ceremony of the University of Port Harcourt, where he addressed graduating students on the values required to build a stronger and more accountable nation.

He told the students that Nigeria’s future depends on the emergence of leaders who are guided by integrity, discipline, and a commitment to public good, warning that corruption and abuse of office have continued to undermine national development and weaken public institutions.

“Leadership is service. It is not an avenue for self-glorification, but a covenant with the people,” Wike said, stressing that public office must be seen as an opportunity to contribute to societal progress rather than a means of personal enrichment.

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The FCT Minister challenged the graduating students to redefine their understanding of leadership as they transition into professional and public life, urging them to become change agents in their respective fields.

He warned that the persistence of self-serving leadership culture has slowed Nigeria’s development and eroded public trust in governance structures.

According to him, the country urgently needs leaders who are courageous enough to make difficult decisions, accountable to the people, and committed to building sustainable institutions.

“The true leader does not ask, ‘What do I gain from this office?’ but rather, ‘What do the people gain from my stewardship?’” he said.

Wike emphasized that leadership should be rooted in accountability and responsibility, noting that the consequences of poor governance are often borne by ordinary citizens who depend on public services.

He further encouraged the graduates to uphold values such as integrity, hard work, and patriotism, stating that education alone is not enough without character and ethical discipline.

The minister’s remarks come amid ongoing national conversations about governance, public accountability, and the need for generational leadership renewal in Nigeria.

He also reminded the audience that the transformation of the country depends not only on government policies but also on the mindset and actions of its citizens, particularly the younger generation.

The convocation ceremony marked the graduation of thousands of students from various faculties, with university officials calling for stronger partnerships between academic institutions, government, and the private sector to enhance youth empowerment and employment opportunities.

Wike’s message to the graduates was widely received as a call to action, urging them to become leaders who prioritize national interest over personal ambition as they enter the next phase of their lives.