Nigeria, Aug. 6 -- As someone whose work sits at the intersection of faith, leadership, governance, and development, I have become increasingly convinced that Africa's greatest challenge is not merely a shortage of resources or opportunities. Rather, it is the absence of sound, progressive, and values-driven philosophies capable of shaping leaders, strengthening institutions, and driving sustainable development.

Every society rises or falls on the ideas that shape its people. Philosophies influence culture. Culture shapes institutions. Institutions, in turn, determine the quality of governance and national development. This conviction was reinforced during my recent visit to Nairobi, Kenya, where I joined civil society leaders, scholars,...