The agonizing condition of most African States has generated debates in contemporary times on a continent caught in the web of deepening predicaments. From severe economic, social and political instability to poor and bad leadership, Africa is perpetually and increasingly looking for the miracle model of salvation from her predicaments. Western-borrowed paradigms fail to work in Africa as a result of what Ali Mazrui termed the postcolonial political traumas of disruption and displacement. Attempts are made to look inwards for African traditional systems as prophylactic measures. This study explores initiation for leadership roles in Africa. It examines leadership in African intellectual history and practices. Through a critical analysis of initiation as imbedded in African traditional education and philosophy, it argues that a modified principle of initiation would lead to effective and sustainable leadership in Africa.

Keywords: Africa, Initiation, Education, Leadership, Tradition.