Rinsola Abiola implores young entrepreneurs to embrace ethical leadership

Rinsola Abiola, senior special assistant to President Bola Tinubu on citizenship and leadership, has asked young entrepreneurs to embrace ethical leadership and social responsibility.

Speaking at the 2023 Junior Chamber International (JCI) unity convention in Abuja over the weekend, Abiola emphasised the importance of continuous learning for youths to establish lasting enterprises that foster positive change.

“In Nigeria today, young people have emerged as catalysts for change, introducing innovations and establishing enterprises, both small and large, to address societal challenges,” she said.

“These ventures hold the promise of transforming the way we live and work, offering solutions that shape a better future.”

Abiola said there is a tendency for certain enterprises, including those founded and managed by young individuals, to waver over time due to a failure to uphold essential ethics and principles.

To address this, she outlined crucial principles for sustainable leadership, harping on visionary leadership and adaptability.

“Sustainable leadership requires a visionary approach. Successful leaders, particularly in the realm of entrepreneurship, possess a clear vision of their enterprise’s purpose and impact on society,” she said.

“This may sound like a cliché, but its importance cannot be overstated. Vision guides decision-making, motivates teams, and sustains the enterprise through challenges.

“Consider the example of Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Honorable Minister of Communications, Innovation, and the Digital Economy.

“In 2011, he co-founded the Co-Creation Hub. His vision was ambitious but clear: he foresaw a Nigeria that not only embraces the digital age but leads it. It was an unprecedented effort.

“We were only just becoming familiar with the changes brought about by the introduction of the GSM. Yet, this man believed that Nigeria could become a source of digital solutions with an impact that transcends our borders.

“Driven by that vision, Dr Tijani and his team made decisions that distinguished CC Hub as the epicentre of Nigeria’s most innovative startups.

“These choices, many of them made without a guidebook from the past, set in motion a chain of events that resulted in Dr. Tijani’s elevation to the federal cabinet today.”

Abiola said commitment to ethical business practices builds trust with customers, partners and the community at large.

She added that upholding integrity, transparency, and social responsibility not only ensures the sustainability of the enterprise but contributes to the overall well-being of our society.

“As leaders, we must prioritise ethical considerations in every decision we make. Investor funds should not be committed to personal vanities while the stated mission suffers. Professed values must be reflected in actions,” she said.

Abiola canvassed for a culture of continuous learning, urging enterprises to recognise their role in addressing societal challenges and contributing to a just and equitable society.

“As young leaders, you have the unique opportunity to shape the future. But this can only happen if you embrace the responsibility and take up leadership roles,” she said.