Leadership greatly determines to which side a nation tilts. A nation is progressive if the leaders are foresighted and translates the policies into concretely positive action. In the same way, a nation is considered to be retrogressive if the leaders are bereft of ideas that could move the nation in the right direction or lack the capacity of translating good ideas into reality. Growth of nation is not measured merely by its procreative ability that is manifested in population boom; but by the economic growth founded on adequate employment of knowledge economy. Such growth is reflected in the production and export capacity of such a nation. It is such consistent advancement in production and not consumption that leads to development. However, sustainable development is seen as a pointer to how far all-round transformation is essential ingredient in the overall leadership of a nation. The African cultural heritage is rich with imitable leadership values that ought to be revived. Such values surely aid sustainable development. It goes to say that leadership bereft of sustainable development leaves nothing to be desired. In that vein, the researcher aims at unravelling the crucial role of leadership values in the development of any African nations particularly Nigeria.