The Human Resources and Planning Department of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) hosted a leadership development workshop on January 14 to strengthen strategic capacity and institutional alignment among senior staff. The workshop, titled “Strategic Leadership: From Vision to Execution,” brought together more than 50 department heads and senior administrators at the AUN 24-Hour Facility.
In his opening remarks, the Registrar and Vice President for Administration, Mr. Dan Okereke, urged participants to engage fully in the sessions. He emphasized the importance of leadership excellence and strategic foresight for the University’s continued growth. “Our collective progress as an institution depends on the quality of leadership we demonstrate in our respective roles and our commitment to effective planning and execution,” he said.
The workshop began with a session on Financial Awareness, Stewardship, and Responsible Resource Use, facilitated by the Director of Student Records, Mr. Samson Mshelia, and the Director of Budget, Mr. Tongnan Nwanshak. The facilitators highlighted prudent financial management as a critical leadership responsibility and a foundation for sustainable academic and operational excellence.
Mr. Okereke also led a session on Strategic Planning and Institutional Alignment, reviewing the University’s strategic plan and outlining practical approaches for aligning departmental objectives with AUN’s mission and long-term goals. Participants took part in an interactive exercise where they presented their departmental strategic plans and received feedback to ensure institutional coherence and alignment.
The final session, “Leadership and Team Building: Setting Direction and Driving Performance,” was delivered by Mrs. Victoria Ajayi, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of TVC Communications. Drawing from her professional experience, Mrs. Ajayi spoke on effective leadership, communication, and team development, encouraging participants to lead with clarity, empathy, and purpose.
Participants described the workshop as timely and impactful, noting its relevance to the evolving demands of higher education leadership.