Irish management consultant and former lecturer at Atlantic Technological University, Paddy Harte, has called on Nigerian youths to cultivate curiosity, critical thinking and collaboration to thrive in the digital era.
Harte made the call during the 5th Public Lecture of the African School of Economics in Abuja, themed “Innovation and Leadership in the Digital Age: Perspectives from Ireland.” He stressed that modern success depends on resilience, teamwork and purposeful leadership.
He described leadership as empowering others, saying the best leaders are those who enable people to achieve collective goals. According to him, digital transformation — driven by artificial intelligence, automation, remote work and data-based decision-making — demands adaptive and collaborative leadership.
Harte outlined what he called the “magnificent seven” principles of leadership: turn up, speak up, listen up, look up, team up and never give up. He urged participants to apply these principles in personal and professional life.
Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Peter Ryan, in his goodwill message, highlighted resilience and openness as key traits that drive innovation. He encouraged Nigerians to build stronger relationships and engage with diverse perspectives to strengthen national progress.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of the African School of Economics, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, delivered the welcome address titled “Readers are Leaders, Learners are Earners.” He emphasised that leadership and innovation determine societal growth and development.
Citing definitions by global leaders, Adedimeji described leadership as influence and innovation as creating solutions that improve lives. He said societies progress in proportion to the quality of their leaders and their ability to think creatively.
He urged Nigerians to focus on shared values and unity, noting the coincidence of Ramadan and Lent as a reminder to learn from one another. He warned that a lack of reading and learning leads to “poverty of ideas and currency of tension.”
The event featured goodwill messages from academics and diplomats, including former Ambassador Albert Omotayo, Dr. Foluke Aliyu, Dr. Tope Ajayi and Dr. Tajudeen Oladejo.
