The Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Auchi, Major General Dele Arogundade has called for the cultivation of social and emotional intelligence within the Nigerian military and across Ministries Department and Agencies.
He made the call in a lecture organised for the inauguration of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47/2025 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Plateau State highlighting the importance of these skill sets as necessary to succeed in strategic leadership.
The lecture, titled "Emotional and Social Intelligence: Critical Skillset for Strategic Leaders," reinforced key principles of emotional and social intelligence, providing an in-depth analysis of the intrinsic link between emotional intelligence and effective strategic leadership.
The Commandant who is also a Chartered Emotional Intelligence professional also elaborated on the fundamental components of emotional intelligence, identified common indicators of deficiencies in these skills, and outlined their implications for leadership effectiveness.
Emphasizing the necessity of cultivating emotional and social intelligence within professional and organizational settings, Arogundade proposed practical strategies for improving interpersonal relationships and leadership impact including fostering self-awareness, enhancing empathy, and adopting effective communication techniques when dealing with superiors, subordinates, and peers.
To institutionalize these competencies, Major General Arogundade advocated for widespread awareness campaigns across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and recommended the adoption of a 360-degree feedback system as a robust tool for employee evaluation and leadership development.
The lecture formed an essential component of the foundational curriculum designed to equip participants with vital leadership competencies. It concluded with a dynamic and insightful interactive session, during which participants and faculty members actively engaged in discussions, reflecting their deep interest in the subject matter and its relevance to strategic leadership.
