The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday took a significant step toward institutionalizing ethical leadership and governance training as a bill sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko (Delta North) seeking to establish the Institute for Leadership, Entrepreneurial and Corporate Governance scaled through its first reading.
The proposed legislation, formally titled the Institute for Leadership, Entrepreneurial and Corporate Governance (Establishment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 921), was presented during plenary at the National Assembly.
If enacted, the bill will establish a world-class national institute devoted to structured training, mentorship, and certification in leadership, entrepreneurship, and corporate governance for professionals across the public and private sectors.
Envisioned to be sited in Agbor, Delta State, the institute is designed to become a center of excellence for nurturing ethical, competent, and visionary leaders capable of advancing Nigeria’s institutional integrity, innovation, and socio-economic progress.
According to the preamble of the bill, the initiative aims to address critical gaps in leadership, entrepreneurship, and corporate governance, while promoting organizational efficiency, transparency, and sustainable national development.
Speaking on the motivation behind the proposal, Senator Nwoko emphasized that Nigeria’s persistent governance challenges are rooted in the absence of structured mentorship and value-based leadership education.
“This institute will bridge the gap by equipping current and future leaders with the tools to lead with integrity, innovation, and accountability,” he said.
With the first reading successfully concluded, the bill will now move to its second reading, where lawmakers will debate its general principles and assess its potential impact on national leadership and governance development.
