Nigeria’s leadership needs emotional intelligence: Beyond brains, with heart

In recent months, Nigerians have watched with deep concern as crisis after crisis exposes cracks in the very structure of our governance. From fuel scarcity and currency volatility to insecurity and the rising frustration of citizens, it feels as though the nation is drifting without a moral anchor. Decisions that affect millions are made without sufficient empathy; policies are introduced without clear communication or consideration for those who will bear the brunt. The result is a populace growing more distrustful, disconnected, and disillusioned.

This is not simply a crisis of policy or competence; it is a crisis of leadership character. At the core of that character should be one quality we rarely centre in political discourse: emotional intelligence.

Let us return to the fundamentals. Emotional intelligence is not softness or sentimentality. It is the capacity to understand one’s emotions, manage them with intention, and relate to others with empathy, clarity, and respect. It involves self-awareness in the face of power and using that awareness to make decisions that uphold dignity, transparency, and purpose.

A closer look at the behaviour of some public leaders reveals how deeply emotional intelligence is lacking. The inability to take responsibility, frequent public outbursts, defensive communication, and a dismissive posture toward the concerns of citizens all point to a deeper void in leadership. It is a void that technical knowledge alone cannot fill.

A leader who cannot regulate their emotions cannot be expected to manage the pain, hope, and fear of a nation. A leader who does not listen cannot unite diverse people behind a shared vision. A leader who reacts instead of reflecting will only deepen our divisions, not resolve them.

Let us examine the ripple effects. In many ministries, departments, and agencies, brilliant professionals are exiting quietly. Not because they lack patriotism, but because they feel unseen. They are required to produce results without being given psychological safety, room to innovate, or permission to speak up. In many public institutions, the culture rewards obedience over originality and hierarchy over humanity. This is an unsustainable model for any nation aspiring to rise in the 21st century.

What we need are leaders who build spaces where people feel heard, respected, and safe. We need a new kind of public servant, one who sees governance not merely as administration but as a profoundly human enterprise.

It is no longer enough to appoint technocrats with impressive résumés. We must ask, do they lead with humility? Do they listen without defensiveness? Can they make decisions that reflect not only intellect but emotional wisdom?

Globally, we are seeing that leadership transformation is not just about policy reform; it is about values reform. Rwanda’s recovery did not happen only because of systems but because its leadership intentionally rebuilt trust. Singapore’s transformation was not purely due to intelligence; it was rooted in a consistent, emotionally grounded leadership culture.

Nigeria has the same potential. But we must reimagine how we identify, prepare, and support our leaders. Emotional intelligence must become a public leadership standard, not a private advantage. It must move from optional to essential.

Imagine policies that are not only efficient but also compassionate. Imagine government offices where team members can speak up without fear. Imagine public briefings where leaders respond to crises with clarity, empathy, and accountability. Imagine a civil service culture that encourages openness rather than silence and collaboration rather than intimidation.

These are not far-fetched ideals; they are entirely possible with emotionally intelligent leadership. But for this shift to occur, we must recalibrate what strength in leadership truly means. It is not about how loudly one commands attention but how wisely one reads the room. It is about the discipline to remain calm under pressure and the integrity to uphold others’ dignity even in disagreement.

We often say Nigeria is blessed with human capital. What we need now is human-centred leadership. Leadership that does not view people as instruments of policy but as the reason for policy itself.

The storms we face cannot be overcome through rhetoric or sheer force. They require leadership that combines skill with soul, vision with compassion, and strategy with self-awareness. Emotional intelligence offers herself that compass. The question is, will we have the courage to let it guide us?

Dr Temitope Richard-Banji is a leadership and culture consultant and a strong advocate of emotionally intelligent governance, with experience supporting private and public sector leadership development and transformation across the globe. He is passionate about cultivating leadership cultures that blend competence with empathy, particularly in complex policy environments.