Aremu urges African leaders to embrace Mandela’s ideals

The Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, Issa Aremu, has called on African leaders to emulate the legacy of Nelson Mandela by investing in purposeful leadership and transformative education.

Speaking during the institute’s commemoration of the 2025 Mandela Day in Ilorin, Kwara State, Aremu stressed that Mandela’s example remains a guiding light for a continent still in search of visionary governance.

According to Aremu, “Africa must shift from narratives that magnify leadership failures to ones that spotlight impactful contributions, especially among living leaders.” He urged policymakers to look beyond criticism and focus on building legacies that reflect Mandela’s courage, humility, and commitment to justice.

He further emphasized the need for a continent-wide reawakening that honours leadership in action, not just in memory. “Contrary to the cliche and dogma that the problem of Nigeria is leadership, the problem is indeed non-appreciation of the visible achievements of the leaders while alive,” he said.

Referencing South Africa’s first black president, who spent 27 years in prison fighting apartheid before being elected in 1994, Aremu said Mandela’s sacrifice continues to inspire generations globally.
Since 2010, the UN has urged people to mark his birthday with 67 minutes of community service—symbolising the 67 years he dedicated to fighting injustice.

Aremu linked the 2025 Mandela Day theme, ‘An End to Poverty and Inequality’, to homegrown policy efforts such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, which he described as a critical tool for expanding access to tertiary education. Quoting Mandela, he said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

He also commended President Bola Tinubu for recently bestowing a posthumous award on former President Muhammadu Buhari, whom Aremu praised as “a symbol of integrity and sacrifice in public service,” aligning such gestures with Mandela’s spirit of recognising service to the people.

Finally, Aremu lauded the United Nations General Assembly for its declaration of July 18 as Nelson Mandela International Day, describing it as “a worthy recognition of selfless leadership” and a necessary annual reminder of the values Africa must uphold to secure a just and prosperous future.