Paper short abstract:

This paper seeks to analyze the inherent leadership challenges impeding the attainment of sustainable development in Nigeria with emphasis on the leadership style of political leaders as the reason for the present regional uprisings and secessionist movements in the South-East.

Paper long abstract:

The world's underdeveloped states, Nigeria inclusive are plagued with complex sociopolitical challenges that contributed to the increasing scourge of militarized protests and secessionist movements such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in South-East Nigeria. The agitation is a direct outcome of perceived deprivation, inequalities, and injustices against the Igbo. Studies indicate that inequality or marginalization of a group instigates conflict and impedes the actualization of sustainable development. For instance, the Biafran secessionist movement that is currently championed by the IPOB began to gain momentum following the failures of political leaders to accommodate the South-East region in Nigeria's mainstream politics. The consequences for this structural inequality have been the incessant protests and secessionist agitations that have made the South-east region susceptible to underdevelopment. Efforts by the federal government to repress the agitations have been unsuccessful. Some of its approaches include military deployment and proscription of the group as terrorists. To resolve these challenges will require innovative approaches that will include a widespread mobilization of relevant stakeholders for meaningful actions. The new approach would take the form of Systems Leadership which requires a complete departure from traditional top-down, hierarchical and linear approaches to implementing change to innovative and adaptive approaches that engage broad networks of diverse stakeholders to advance progress toward a shared vision for systemic change. Utilizing the qualitative research techniques, the paper argues that the principles of systems leadership is likely to provide valuable tools to support efforts to actualize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development if effectively applied.