Amina Salihu’s Book Launch Sparks Call for Empathy-Driven Leadership, Gender Equity
A powerful call for empathy-driven leadership, gender equity and social inclusion resonated across the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Friday as development practitioners, policymakers, traditional leaders, civil society actors and students gathered for the launch of Leading With Our Humanity: Elevating Communities Through Gender Equity and Social Inclusion authored by Dr. Amina A. Salihu.
The event, organised under the Big Ideas Platform with the theme “Leading With Our Humanity: Ideas That Elevate Our Communities,” brought together influential voices from governance, philanthropy, academia, policy advocacy and community development to examine how humanity, accountability and inclusion can shape sustainable development in Nigeria and beyond.
The publication, which carries a foreword by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah R. Gbowee, explores how Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) can move beyond policy rhetoric to become a practical framework for justice-centred governance, accountability and institutional transformation.
Delivering the opening remarks, Dr. Anthony Ubani described the 2026 edition of the Big Ideas Platform as a call to action rather than symbolic inclusion.
According to him, transformative leadership must be rooted in empathy, listening and shared humanity.
He noted that previous editions of the platform challenged participants to think “bolder, bigger and better,” but stressed that the current moment requires leaders to place humanity at the centre of governance and development.
The event also highlighted the contributions of individuals and organisations championing inclusive governance and accountability across Nigeria.
Participants acknowledged disability rights advocates for promoting the rights of women living with disabilities and advancing inclusive democratic participation, while traditional leadership and community engagement efforts were recognised through commendations for Alhaji Hussaini Marjina.
Speakers equally praised civic accountability initiatives such as the Tracka platform for monitoring over 2,700 public projects across 30 states and helping citizens connect governance with tangible outcomes through improved roads, schools and infrastructure.
Speaking on the essence of the book, Dr. Salihu explained that Leading With Our Humanity draws heavily from her experiences within the MacArthur Foundation’s On Nigeria Programme and reflects on how empathy, trust and shared power can shape institutional learning and development practice.
She described the publication as intentionally human-centred, arguing that sustainable social transformation requires more than technical interventions.
“The village square conversation means politics is local. We must know and serve our communities, understand their challenges and never take people for granted,” she said.
She added that recognition, appreciative accountability and active community engagement remain critical to rebuilding trust within society.
Also speaking at the launch, Dr. Kole Shettima commended the author’s intellectual depth and longstanding contributions to transparency, participation and accountability initiatives in Nigeria.
Unveiling the book, Toyin Akinniyi described the publication as “a call to courage” rooted in learning, empathy and ethical leadership.
According to her, the book challenges development practitioners and funders to critically examine whom they support, why they support them and the values underpinning their interventions.
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A formal review of the publication described it as “an honest book about the nature of inclusive change,” noting that it moves beyond institutional reporting to interrogate deeper questions around justice, responsibility and power.
The launch also featured a panel session titled Village Square Conversation, where participants discussed grassroots leadership, citizen participation and community accountability.
Students from Government Girls Secondary School, Dutse, showcased an innovation-driven mobile application designed to combat online scams, while students of Alsarudeen International School staged a drama presentation on mental health awareness and anti-bullying advocacy.
Another presentation by students of Government Secondary School, Gwagwalada focused on corruption and social vices in Nigeria, drawing applause from participants for its bold social commentary.
The programme further featured the screening of a trailer for Makoko, a film highlighting the struggles of displaced waterfront communities in Lagos and advocacy against inhumane displacement practices.
Former First Lady of Ekiti State, Mrs. Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, presented an award of appreciation to Dr. Kole Shettima in recognition of his mentorship and support for the author’s professional journey.
Awards were also presented to representatives of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and the Alumni Association of the institute’s Senior Executive Course 47, while the Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, was similarly honoured.
In her closing remarks, former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, described the publication as a groundbreaking contribution to conversations on ethics, leadership, gender and social inclusion.
She emphasised that communities remain the antidote to many societal challenges because they possess the moral authority to sanction misconduct and hold leaders accountable.
Ezekwesili, who recalled knowing Dr. Salihu for more than two decades, praised her contributions to leadership development and the evolution of the Big Ideas Platform and the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
She urged participants to build communities founded on shared values and collective purpose while commending the creativity and courage displayed by the students who participated in the event.
The gathering ended on a lively note as Ezekwesili sang lines from Whitney Houston’s Greatest Love of All, drawing admiration and applause from participants.
Dr. Salihu, one of Nigeria’s most respected voices on gender, governance, policy and social inclusion, currently serves as Deputy Director of the MacArthur Foundation’s On Nigeria Programme.
A distinguished scholar and development expert, she holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, and a PhD from the University of Abuja, alongside executive and professional studies at Aspen and the Universities of Cape Town, Sussex and Liverpool.
She previously lectured at the Department of Political Science, ABU Zaria, served as Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister, and coordinated the DFID/UKAid Coalitions for Change Programme. Over the years, she has worked as a gender and policy consultant for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the United Nations, European Union, ActionAid and several federal ministries.
Dr. Salihu is also a member of the National Institute (mni), the International Political Science Association, the Chartered Management Consultants and the African Feminist Forum, while serving as honorary adviser to numerous institutions on gender, equity and public policy.
By PRNigeria
