Abuja: The Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, has urged members of academia to bring their wealth of knowledge into politics to foster national development. Sulaiman made this appeal during a symposium titled ‘Women in Leadership: Harnessing the Potentials of Women Academies for Political Participation in Nigeria,’ held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the symposium was organized by NILDS in collaboration with the University of Abuja and other partners. Sulaiman emphasized the importance of academics stepping into the political arena to prevent the nation from falling into the hands of ‘shenanigans.’ He noted that while politicians shape policy and law, they often lack the depth of knowledge that academics possess.
The director-general highlighted that addressing the country’s insecurity issues requires more than a military approach and advocated for in-depth research, which academics are well-equipped to conduct.
He pointed out the gap in knowledge and skills among current politicians and urged academics to leave the confines of the academic world to prevent the country from being mismanaged.
Sulaiman, a former Minister of National Planning, cautioned that academics entering politics might face resistance but encouraged them to be resilient and maintain their integrity. He warned against being manipulated by politicians and stressed the need for academics to bring about change.
In her remarks, the acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Patricia Lar, highlighted the under-representation of women in leadership roles, despite their potential and capacity. She encouraged women to fight for their rights, emphasizing the need for political parties to ensure better representation for women in leadership positions.
Rep. Blessing Amadi (PDP-Ricers) also addressed the gathering, urging young girls to focus on self-development rather than superficial appearances. She advised young women to view their bodies
as a source of pride and encouraged them to participate actively in political and gender activities to facilitate greater inclusion.