The Director General of the Chartered Institute of Mentoring and Coaching Nigeria (CIMCN), Dr. Rotimi Mathew along with three other individuals, was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Public Governance and Leadership on Friday at the Abuja Leadership Centre (ALC) of Yakubu Gowon University, formerly University of Abuja.
According to Professor Philip Dahida, the Director of the Centre, the candidates achieved their academic success after completing all requirements, including defending their theses on November 14, 2025.
The other recipients of the doctoral degrees in Public Governance and Leadership are Iornem Doo Mercy, Mohammed Ibrahim Kari, and Kate Obiageli Ofordile.
Following the conferral of their academic awards, Professor Dahida praised the PhD awardees for their dedication to learning and commended the external examiner, Professor Linda Kwon-Ndung of the Federal University Lafia, Nasarawa State, for her professionalism in evaluating the students.
He encouraged the PhD awardees to promptly address any issues raised during their thesis defenses and emphasized the importance of being good ambassadors for the institution and representing themselves well in the larger society.
In response to his achievement, Dr. Rotimi Mathew emphasized the significance of mentorship in shaping the future and expressed gratitude towards the Abuja Leadership Centre and the university for providing him an opportunity for knowledge expansion.
Mathew shared that his research thesis, titled “Political Mentorship and Leadership Development in Lagos State,” clarified the distinctions between mentorship and godfatherism.
To improve mentorship and leadership succession, Mathew advocated for merit-based mentorship, stressing that mentees should have the opportunity to express themselves when appropriate and be released by their mentors at the right time.
“My advice is that mentorship should be based on merit, with individuals who have truly followed through. Current leaders need to be true role models; they must act selflessly and not take things personally. There should be a time for mentees to take flight, allowing them to implement the lessons learned from their mentors. If they are continuously micromanaged, they cannot express what has been conveyed to them.
“Mentorship is essential and the pinnacle of leadership. It involves guiding, advising, and coaching, while godfatherism is characterized by control, patronage, and gratitude rather than governance. Thus, mentorship is crucial as it serves as the key to fostering leadership succession. When it comes to political mentorship, we must connect it back to the individuals who are meant to be the direct beneficiaries.
“Mentoring is vital and can be used to cultivate future leaders who will act in the best interest of the citizenry,” Mathew stated.
Before this achievement, Dr. Rotimi Mathew held a Ph.D. in Public Administration, a Professional Doctorate in Commerce and Enterprise Development, and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management. He also founded the first Mentoring and Coaching Institute in Nigeria.
The Abuja Leadership Centre serves as a TETFUND Centre of Excellence for Public Governance and Leadership, dedicated to enhancing public governance and leadership both in Nigeria and beyond.
