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DISCOURSES WITH DR. EMMANUEL OJAMERUAYE: Unsuitable Backgrounds for Aspiring Political Leadership



Are backgrounds in engineering, medicine, architecture, physical sciences, and technical fields unsuitable for aspiring political leadership? Let's examine and clarify this notion."

For the benefit of our audience, my response is affirmative, grounded in factual evidence.

Firstly, it's a well-established fact that among all professions, social scientists are uniquely equipped for governance. Their training aligns closely with the responsibilities of leaders such as presidents, governors, and kings. This alignment is reflected in the educational backgrounds of many elected officials, particularly in advanced nations. For instance, a study by the British Council revealed that a significant majority of leaders hold degrees in social sciences and humanities, with a smaller percentage in other fields like business, engineering, and health.

Secondly, the concept of the "philosopher king," as articulated by Plato in his seminal work "The Republic," underscores the importance of philosophical understanding (akin to modern social sciences) in effective governance. Throughout history, leaders who have embraced philosophical study have often demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities. Notable examples include Thomas Jefferson and Lee Kuan Yew, the prime minister who transformed Singapore.

Thirdly, there exists a notable correlation between a country's human development and the educational background of its leaders. Nations led by individuals with backgrounds in social sciences tend to exhibit superior human development outcomes. This trend is observable both internationally and within specific countries, such as Nigeria and Delta state, where periods of social scientist-led governance have yielded more favorable results compared to other leadership eras.

In the case of Nigeria and Delta state, leaders like Azikiwe, Awolowo, and Balewa were more effective compared to Gowon, IBB, Abacha, OBJ, Goodluck, and Buhari. In the recent history of Delta State, Chief James Ibori performed better than Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

While acknowledging that individuals from various professions can indeed be effective leaders, it's crucial to recognize the significance of additional training in governance, which is a central focus of social science education. The challenge in Nigerian leadership often stems from the mismatch between the qualifications of leaders and the demands of governance, with many professionals attempting to navigate roles for which they lack adequate preparation.


***Dr. Emmanuel Ojameruaye is a Former Senior Lecturer, Department of Economics at the University of Benin, Benin city, Nigeria and former Head, Government and Public Affairs, Shell Petroleum Development Company. He is currently resident in the United States.


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