Serving people means growing their capacity and implies that everyone can contribute – Juana María Bordas, Nicaraguan-American community activist
When Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu unveiled the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) in February 2023, it wasn’t just another way to immortalise one of Nigeria’s exceptional politicians and former governor of the state of excellence, but to etch it in the minds of young people what the late leader stands for in the history of the state. In a practical sense a leadership academy was founded to inculcate into the leaders of tomorrow the values and ethics that Jakande epitomised. The mission was clear from the outset: the academy will groom young change-oriented individuals into innovative solution providers who will make a positive impact in public service, their communities and beyond.
LJLA, under the stewardship of the Executive Secretary, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade has admitted the second cohort after a rigorous screening of over 12,517 applicants from all over the country.
It was really a highly competitive exercise as young people with intimidating curriculum vitae jostle for only 30 slots available and for the lucky fellows who have since embark on the journey to greatness,the enthusiasm shown by the youths to be part of the 2024/2025 cohort having seen what the pioneer fellows of the academy gained in terms of human capacity development says a lot about the premium the Sanwo-Olu’ administration places on youth development. In the next 10 months or thereabouts, the fellows will be fully immersed in a curriculum that will help them cultivate visionary leadership traits with global perspectives.
A precedence has been layed with the pioneer fellows who during their time embark on an international policy trip to India to deepen their understanding of the South Asian country’s journey in economic scaling, foreign policy, urban development and implementation strategies.
An eye opening experience, led by the state Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro and Agbaje-Okunade, the team visited the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi, where the fellows gained insights into India’s economic strategies and its scaling mechanisms. RIS Director General, Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi guided the fellows through a detailed exposition of India’s economic policies and its strategic approaches to economic development, focusing on successful policies that have fostered growth and stability. Chaturvedi explained key areas such as infrastructure development, digital transformation, and inclusive growth, providing the fellows with valuable lessons on how these strategies can be adapted in Nigeria.
Following the economic policy session, the fellows had an opportunity to meet the Joint Secretary of Policy, Planning and Research from the Ministry of External Affairs, S. Raghuram, who highlighted India’s foreign policy, democracy, and governance success stories.
In order to properly understand urban planning and the importance of reliable public transportation in metropolitan development, the Fellows also visited the Delhi Metro Station, where they experienced firsthand the efficiency and effectiveness of Delhi’s metro system.
Agoro, the delegation leader, explained that LJLA is dedicated to nurturing young change-oriented leaders by providing them with opportunities to learn from global best practices. ‘This policy trip is expected to play a crucial role in shaping their perspectives and strategies as they prepare to implement similar innovative initiatives in Lagos and Nigeria as a whole’, he said.
Visitation to many other iconic sites in India also made the trip an experience of a life time for the fellows.
To sum up the impact of the policy trip on the delegation, Agbaje-Okunade said: ‘These experiences not only enriched our understanding of India’s heritage but also taught us the enduring power of art, history, and cultural preservation. Our journey underscored the importance of preserving and honoring our past to inspire and guide future generations. Here’s to the incredible lessons learned and the vibrant history that continues to shape our world’.
Aside the international policy trip, the fellows also had the opportunity of engaging leaders of thought, boardroom gurus and development expert during a Fire Side Chat which was a regular event in the curriculum.
There is also the brown bag series which opened the fellows to the workings of state ministries , departments and agencies, giving real time insights into how the business of governance is run on a daily basis, while a quarterly seminar in partnership with Africa leadership initiative — West Africa avail the fellows the opportunity to explore and study phenomenal leaders like Mahatma Gandhi of India, Jean Monnet of France, Margaret Thatcher of the United Kingdom and Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore with focus on their transformational leadership styles, emotional intelligence and work ethics.
The fellows also undertook a capstone project/ community service where they were grouped into teams with different tasks, one of the teams developed an application called ‘EKO LAWS’ which will help to boost legal literacy of the State’s laws.
To extend the Academy’s rich curriculum to youths in the state and Nigeria, LJLA organised the inaugural Lagos Leadership Summit, which attracted over 1,500 youths both offline and online. At the summit, Sanwo-Olu, whose legacy is the academy, reiterated the essence building the capacity of tomorrow ‘s leaders. ‘At Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, we are grooming leaders who will change the course of their lives, their communities and the nation’, he said.
Just like the governor envisaged the fellows testified to how the academy has offered them a life changing, non -partisan and meritocratic opportunities to impact their generation. The leadership development exposure, work experience and networking made will always count in the future endeavours of the fellows.
Abdulbasit Saba, an LJLA fellow, said: ‘This fellowship has been instrumental in shaping my perspective on leadership, guiding me towards becoming the kind of leader. I aspire to be while also illuminating the paths I’d rather not tread’.
For Oluwatobi Adekoya, ‘this experience has equipped me with key insights, skills and values beyond the ordinary and I am excited by the fellowship’s undeniable impact in shaping the leaders our world needs’.
The 12 months of intensive leadership training has opened up a world of opportunities to Oluwafunmilayo Omoyele who said: ‘As a fellow of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, I have been exposed to a new gamut of possibilities in the public service ,business and life’.
By the end of 2025, another 30 change makers will be added to the society after an intensive grooming by LJLA, a project which will define leadership in Lagos in a few years down the line.
While the Sanwo-Olu administration is building infrastructures by expending on capital projects through his THEMES+ agenda, the enduring legacy of building the people with special focus on the youths is critical for Lagos to continue to rise.
The bill to institutionalise LJLA is before the state House of Assembly and the lawmakers owe Lagosians the responsibility of a speedy passage because as there is a high demand for young leaders well equipped for the challenges of managing a mega city like Lagos.
