Leadership skills key to Vision 2050 success

KIBAHA: THE government is equipping leaders in its institutions with transformative leadership skills to ensure effective implementation of the National Development Vision 2050, the Director of Science, Technology and Innovation in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Professor Ladislaus Mnyone, has said.

Prof Mnyone made the remarks over the weekend while closing a fourday leadership training programme for senior leaders and deans of the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) held at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School (MJNLS) in Kibaha Municipality, Coast Region.

He said that while the government has well-developed plans and strategies for implementing the vision, achieving the intended goals will depend largely on transformative leadership that focuses on making timely decisions, setting the right priorities, adopting appropriate approaches and identifying the right human resources.

“There are several goals we intend to achieve as a nation through the implementation of the Vision 2050, including building a one trillion US dollar economy, creating decent jobs for at least 50 per cent of Tanzanians, and positioning Tanzania among the top ten global food producers,” he said.

“All these goals are within our reach, but they can only be achieved through effective leadership and sound implementation strategies,” he added.

Prof Mnyone also urged leaders to ensure that people in their respective institutions and communities are aware of the National Development Vision 2030–2050 and actively participate in its implementation.

“It is the government’s intention to ensure that no one is left behind in implementing this agenda. Leaders must therefore ensure that people in their respective areas understand the vision and take part in its implementation,” he said.

For his part, OUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Makulilo said the university is implementing a five-year strategic plan starting in the 2026/2027 financial year aimed at strengthening leadership and academic systems in line with government directives.

He noted that the strategy is intended to enhance institutional capacity and contribute to national development through improved teaching, research and leadership.

Meanwhile, MJNLS Head of Training John Baitani said the participants were trained in several areas including corporate governance, nationalism, resource mobilisation, strategic leadership and mental health.

He said the training programme was designed to strengthen leadership capacity and equip participants with skills needed to effectively guide their institutions in line with national development priorities.