As political activities ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections continue to gain momentum, the Faculty of Social Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, has announced plans to host a major discourse on leadership, politics and governance in the country.
The event, which is the 4th edition of the Faculty of Social Sciences Open Lecture Series, is themed: “Politics and Governance in Nigeria: The Leadership Question.” It is scheduled to hold at the OGD Hall of the university’s main campus in Ago-Iwoye at 10:00 a.m.
According to the Faculty, the lecture is designed to stimulate intellectual engagement on the persistent challenges confronting leadership and governance in Nigeria, particularly within the context of democratic consolidation, public accountability, national development and citizen participation.
The lecture is expected to attract scholars, political leaders, policy experts, students, media practitioners, civil society actors and members of the public interested in governance and democratic development in Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Ayodele Johnson Agboola, will serve as the Chief Host, while the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Dele Odunlami, is the Host of the event.
Dr. Adebola Ismail Akindele, an entrepreneur, corporate strategist and public affairs commentator, will deliver the lecture. He is reputed for his experience in leadership, institutional management and governance.
The Faculty noted that the choice of the lecture theme reflects growing national concern about the quality of political leadership and governance outcomes in the country amid economic uncertainties, security challenges, youth disenchantment and increasing demands for institutional reforms.
Speaking ahead of the event, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Dele Odunlami, said the annual lecture series has continued to provide a platform for constructive engagement on contemporary national and global issues affecting society.
He stated that the Faculty remains committed to advancing critical scholarship, policy discourse and interdisciplinary conversations capable of contributing to sustainable national development and democratic stability.
According to him, universities must continue to provide intellectual direction and policy alternatives to societal challenges.
“This lecture is part of our contribution to national conversations on governance, leadership and the future of Nigeria,” he said.
Professor Odunlami further stated that the Faculty of Social Sciences has continued to expand the frontiers of research and public engagement through seminars, conferences and lectures addressing governance, democracy, media, development communication and social transformation.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ayodele Johnson Agboola, described the lecture as timely, noting that higher institutions must remain active drivers of ideas, innovation and nation-building.
He added that the university under his administration remains committed to strengthening academic excellence, research visibility and public intellectual engagement in line with the institution’s mandate and vision.
Professor Agboola urged students, academics, policymakers and members of the public to take advantage of the lecture to deepen discussions on responsible leadership and good governance in Nigeria.
The Faculty of Social Sciences of OOU has earned recognition for its contributions to scholarship, policy advocacy and professional training in political science, sociology, economics, psychology, geography, mass communication and criminology.
The Faculty has also sustained active academic engagements through research initiatives, public lectures and collaborations focused on governance, democracy, sustainable development and societal wellbeing.
The university, in recent months, has continued to host high-profile inaugural and public lectures as part of its commitment to intellectual discourse and academic advancement.
Members of the university community, stakeholders and the general public have been invited to attend the lecture.
Signed:
Office of the Dean
Faculty of Social Sciences
Olabisi Onabanjo University
29th May, 2026