ITAM CEO urges ASNAT leaders to embrace inclusive leadership, respect local traditions
The Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Trade Association Management (ITAM), Dr. Nelson Obine, has urged leaders of the Association of Nigeria Artisans and Technicians (ASNAT) to make cultural adaptability a core leadership competency noting that, it is critical to building unity, trust and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s diverse economy.
Obine made the call in a paper presented at the Nigerian Artisans’ Leadership Summit (NALSUM) 2026, held on August 12 and 13, at Bolingo Xperia Hotel, FCT, Abuja.
His paper was titled “Cultural Adaptability in Leadership: Building Unity and Growth in a Diverse Economy”.
Obine, a Sustainability and business expert, described cultural adaptability as a leader’s ability to understand, respect and effectively respond to the different cultural values, beliefs and practices of people across communities.
According to him, Nigeria’s diversity can become a major strength if leaders develop the capacity to manage it effectively.
“Nigeria’s diversity is a strength. But only if leaders understand how to manage it.”
The ITAM CEO said Nigeria’s multiple ethnic groups, languages, religions, traditions and social norms require leaders to adjust their communication styles, respect local customs, build trust across cultural lines and lead inclusively without bias.
Obine noted that artisans and technicians operate daily within diverse local realities, whether in markets, workshops, construction sites or project environments and advised ASNAT executives against adopting a uniform leadership approach across all communities.
“For leaders to understand such differences as speaking respectfully to elders in some Northern communities, recognising communal decision-making traditions in parts of the East and adapting between informal and formal communication styles in different parts of the country, they should be flexible in leadership style and not ‘one-size-fits-all approach” Obine observed.
He pointed that, culturally adaptable leadership produces several benefits, including stronger relationships, greater credibility, improved negotiation skills and the ability to lead effectively across regions.
He identified five major benefits for ASNAT: National integration, membership growth, improved collaboration, better stakeholder engagement and effective conflict resolution.
Obine explained that members are more likely to participate in an association when they feel respected and represented, while government agencies, private-sector partners and communities are more responsive to leaders who understand their cultural environment.
He therefore urged leaders entering new communities to learn local customs, listen to members from different backgrounds, avoid stereotypes, engage local leaders and elders, use inclusive language and encourage diversity within leadership structures.
Obine stressed that cultural adaptability should not be mistaken for weakness or surrender of leadership authority. “A culturally adaptable leader does not lose authority — they gain influence, respect, and long-term success.”
“The competency is particularly relevant to modern trade association management because projects, markets and partnerships increasingly extend beyond local communities and require people from different regions to work together.
In his concluding remarks, the ITAM CEO said cultural adaptability should be viewed not merely as tolerance of differences but as a strategic leadership tool for achieving unity, growth, influence and sustainability.
“A leader who understands people’s culture can lead their hearts, not just their hands,” Obine said adding that, the lesson was especially important for ASNAT as it seeks to build a stronger national organisation capable of bringing artisans and technicians from Nigeria’s diverse communities under a common vision.
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