Church Leaders Converge on Abuja to Chart Nigeria’s Ethical Future as ELIF 2026 Leadership Summit Opens By Raymond Enoch
A renewed call for integrity, accountability and values-driven leadership echoed through Abuja on Tuesday as church leaders, development experts and civil society actors converged for the ELIF 2026 National Training and Advocacy Programme, aimed at raising a new generation of ethical leaders to drive Nigeria’s transformation.
The high-level gathering, held at the Daughters of Divine Love Divine Love Retreat and Conference Centre (DRACC) in Lugbe, is themed “Strengthening Ethical Leadership for National Transformation.” It is part of the broader ELIF 2026 – Ethical Leadership for an Inclusive Future in Sub-Saharan Africa, a collaborative initiative of the Globethics and the All Africa Conference of Churches.
The programme has attracted influential church leaders, representatives of Church-Related Organisations (CCROs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and governance advocates committed to promoting ethical leadership as a catalyst for national development.
Leading the delegation of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) is Evans Onyemara, the General Secretary of the Council and Methodist Bishop of Ecumenism. He is joined by several church leaders and professionals, including Prisca Happiness Ovat.
Participants are undergoing intensive training designed to strengthen ethical decision-making, institutional accountability, transparency, justice and inclusive governance within churches, faith-based organisations and wider society.
Beyond classroom sessions, the summit is providing a platform for dialogue and collaboration, with participants exchanging ideas on practical strategies for rebuilding public confidence in leadership and strengthening institutions across Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Speakers at the event stressed that Africa’s future depends not only on political or economic reforms but also on leaders who embody integrity, servant leadership and accountability. They argued that ethical leadership remains indispensable to sustainable development, peaceful coexistence and social justice.
The National Training runs from 30 June to 1 July, while the Advocacy Event is scheduled for 2 July 2026, where participants are expected to present key recommendations for promoting ethical governance at national and community levels.
As deliberations continue, expectations remain high that ELIF 2026 will produce practical action plans capable of inspiring a new generation of principled leaders dedicated to justice, peace, good governance and an inclusive future for Nigeria and the African continent.
