The National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) on Monday emphasized the need for systems thinking and citizen participation to enhance effective policymaking and implementation in Nigeria.
The NACETEM Director-General, Dr Olushola Odusanya, made the assertion at an Executive Training on Systems Thinking and Systems Dynamics for Decision Makers and Policymakers held in Lagos on Monday.
The training, organized by NACETEM in partnership with House of Representatives lawmakers from Kosofe Constituency, carried the theme: “Systems Thinking for Transformational Legislative Leadership.”
It was reported that systems thinking is a holistic approach to analysis that focuses on how different parts of a system interact and influence one another within a whole. The World Economic Forum notes that this approach can spur innovation, particularly during times of uncertainty.
Odusanya said systems thinking enables leaders to understand how issues such as education, healthcare, waste management, and security are interconnected for societal development.
He explained that unlike linear thinking, systems thinking encourages decision makers to analyze cause-and-effect relationships, feedback loops, and dynamic interactions within governance structures.
“This approach helps leaders make informed decisions that positively influence public perception and development outcomes,” he said.
According to him, the approach is already being implemented at the grassroots level through legislators in Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State, with the aim of serving as a model for broader national development.
“Bringing together lawmakers, community members, academics, civil servants, and private sector players will generate solutions superior to the thinking that created existing problems.
“The programme lays a foundation for nation-building, and its outcomes can be scaled across Lagos State and eventually serve as a benchmark for West Africa,” Odusanya added.
He noted that continuous dialogue and inclusive participation are essential to sustaining the gains of the systems thinking initiative.
A guest speaker from the University of Florence, Italy, Prof Stefano Armenia, said policies that fail to reflect societal realities often face rejection, regardless of enforcement mechanisms.
“Poorly designed policies tend to be resisted once inefficiencies become evident. Governments must understand the real-life impact of policy decisions,” he said.
Armenia emphasized that collaboration with citizens is critical, as policymakers often lack insight into grassroots realities without deliberate engagement. He added that involving citizens in policy formulation helps identify gaps early and guides governments toward more workable solutions.
Also speaking, the President of Systems Dynamics Nigeria, Dr Victor Sobanke, said systems thinking is a vital approach for public and civil servants in addressing complex governance challenges that span multiple sectors and institutions.
“Many governance challenges are difficult to define, involve competing interests, and require collective action across agencies. No single department can effectively resolve such issues in isolation,” he said.
Sobanke highlighted Causal Loop Diagrams (CLDs) as a key tool for analyzing complex systems and understanding feedback relationships that drive policy outcomes. He explained that CLDs help capture underlying forces, clarify mental models, and show how actions in one area can affect others over time.
The one-day training concluded with the presentation of appreciation awards to Kafilat Ogbara, a lawmaker representing Kosofe Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, and the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
The National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) is a leading research and policy institution in Nigeria. It focuses on training high-level manpower, conducting policy research in science and technology management, and providing vital knowledge support to enhance the country’s science, technology, and innovation (STI) system.
