KEY POINTS

• Governor Zulum advocates for Nigeria to adopt China’s merit-based leadership model.
• He highlights the need for responsible followership and stronger leadership for national progress.
• Zulum emphasizes the role of technology in addressing food security issues in Nigeria.

The governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum has asked Nigeria to embrace merit in disposition of leadership positions by emulating China’s model without venturing into an election.

Zulum made this assertion when speaking at the 24th National Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Agricultural Engineers in Abuja, and ‘’ He said that Nigeria may profit from the Chinese model which selects its leaders based on character and performance before conducting election.

‘What the Chinese did was first assess its leaders for integrity, rating the performance of the leader before subjecting him or her to an election’. Through such a structure, leadership positions are occupied by the best candidates,” Zulum added.

The case for leadership reform

As stated by Zulum, Nigeria’s existing electoral system frequently ignores merit; therefore, implementing a model that prioritizes honesty and prior performance could enhance government.

He also emphasized that responsible followership is necessary to propel progress; leadership alone is insufficient.

“In Nigeria, followership is just as much of an issue as leadership. He continued, “We need citizens who can hold leaders accountable and who can distinguish between right and wrong.”

The governor emphasized that both capable leaders and engaged, accountable citizens are necessary for an efficient system of government.

He emphasized that excellent leadership and active followership are necessary for national growth and that effective government is a two-way street.

Technology’s role in food security

Beyond governance reform, Zulum used the conference platform to discuss the role of technology in addressing Nigeria’s food security challenges.

According to Punch, he emphasized the importance of embracing new technologies such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology to enhance agricultural practices and build sustainable food systems.

“This conference provides an opportunity to explore how emerging technologies can revolutionize agriculture in Nigeria,” Zulum noted. He added that with the right innovations, Nigeria could improve agricultural productivity and better support its growing population.

The governor called for collaboration between government, private industry, and academic institutions to harness technology and improve agricultural practices across the country.

According to Zulum, adopting advanced technologies in farming would not only boost production but also help address the pressing issue of food security.

A call for national transformation

In the last part of his closing speech, the Governor Zulum urged the congregation to come up with ways on how to address concerns concerning the approaches in choosing leaders and those want to be selected by the populace.

He said that Nigeria should embrace the system that allow people to choose leaders through merit and exercise powers to ensure that such leaders are accountable.

He argued that embracing the merit procedure of the Chinese model may gradually lead to a better governance system in Nigeria but also encouraged Nigeria to look to technology to solve these broad problems, particularly in the agricultural sector.