In a landmark move aimed at redefining Nigeria’s trajectory of growth, the Institute of Business Culture and Human Capital Preservation Nigeria and the Institute of Development and Political Culture Nigeria have announced a strategic partnership to reset and transform the nation’s development path. The collaboration was unveiled during a press conference held over the weekend in Lagos by Prof. Chris Obisi, President of both Institutes.
Prof. Obisi emphasized that this alliance is set to take an inward-looking approach to solve Nigeria’s multifaceted development challenges. In partnership with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), the Institutes intend to harness indigenous knowledge and strategies to drive sustainable growth across Nigeria’s economy, political landscape, and social fabric.
Established in April 2011, both Institutes carry a mandate to catalyze change in Nigeria and the wider African continent through focused efforts in business culture, human capital development, political stability, and socio-economic progress. According to Prof. Obisi, Nigeria’s development crises over the past decade have reached critical levels, warranting urgent and deliberate reforms.
“The past decade has been unpleasant for Nigeria,” Prof. Obisi stated. “Economic stagnation, social unrest, and political instability have intensified. We can no longer depend on foreign ideas that have historically failed us. It’s time to look inward. Nigeria is rich in human and natural resources — so why do we remain poor?”
Prof. Obisi, a respected Professor of Human Resource Development at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), pinpointed the lack of a solid business culture and inadequate human capital preservation as major obstacles undermining Nigeria’s corporate sector. Furthermore, he underscored the absence of a sustainable political culture as a key barrier to democratic stability and national development.
“To reset Nigeria, we must foster a business culture that values its people as its most vital asset,” he explained. “Simultaneously, we need to instill enduring political values that uphold democratic principles and ensure good governance.”
One of the Institutes’ flagship initiatives involves documenting the ideas and legacies of Nigeria’s prominent business and development leaders—both past and present. Prof. Obisi revealed that two comprehensive books are currently in development, capturing the wisdom and strategies of influential Nigerian figures such as Gameliel Onosode, Subomi Balogun, Femi Otedola, and Christopher Kolade, among others.
These books will be released in multiple formats: traditional paper books, e-books, and scripted adaptations like plays and animations to engage younger audiences. “We want to make these ideas accessible and relatable, especially to our youth,” Obisi said.
The Institutes are actively liaising with key stakeholders including the National Universities Commission (NUC), the Ministry of Education, and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to integrate these books into academic curricula nationwide. This effort aims to replace reliance on foreign texts with homegrown content that reflects Nigeria’s unique context and intellectual heritage.
“Our goal is to have these books serve as standard reading materials in Nigerian schools and universities,” Prof. Obisi noted. “Imagine university students studying political philosophies like Zikism, Awoism, or Ahmadu Bello’s thoughts alongside Plato and Aristotle. This will foster a deeper connection to our own history and development journey.”
The Institutes advocate for a paradigm shift where Nigerians adopt an inward-looking, yet globally aware mindset to spur development. “We must think globally but act locally,” Prof. Obisi urged. “Charity must begin at home. By valuing our indigenous knowledge and fostering homegrown solutions, Nigeria can break free from cycles of dependency and underdevelopment.”
As Nigeria stands at a crossroads, this pioneering collaboration signals hope for a more resilient, self-reliant future driven by Nigeria’s own intellectual capital and cultural strengths.