Abstract This paper examines leadership and governance challenges in Nigeria and their implications for sustainable development. It identifies corruption, ethical deficits, political intimidation and political clientelism as major components of leadership and governance in the country. The paper further examines how these components have contributed to several inequality, infrastructure deficits, security deterioration, environmental degradation and institutional fragility, thereby impinging the outcomes of sustainable development. It also reviews measures undertaken at the international, federal, state and grassroots levels to enhance leadership and governance including anti-corruption reforms, public financial management, electoral reforms, institutional strengthening and community participation. Despite these efforts, ethnic particularism, political interference and electoral deficiencies continue to constrain their effectiveness. The paper argues that persistent weaknesses in leadership and governance undermine institutional performance, service delivery and the capacity of Nigeria to achieve sustainable development. It therefore recommends merit-based public sector appointments, greater institutional independence for accountability and regulatory bodies, as well as reforms to strengthen the credibility and independence of electoral administration.