The Lagos State Government has unveiled 50 youth participants who are qualified for the Ibile Youth Leadership Academy Training Camp, a key initiative aimed at fostering competent leadership for the future.
The 50 selected candidates were chosen from 500 applicants across the five divisions of Lagos State: Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Epe (IBILE).
During a one-day leadership seminar and unveiling ceremony held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering and equipping youth for leadership roles in their communities.
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that creating a supportive environment for youth engagement, capacity building, and representation in government has been a priority for his administration.
He further stated that the state’s focus on youth as a central pillar of its development agenda is reflected in the appointment of young leaders to key government positions.
“We have prioritized creating a supportive environment for youth engagement, capacity building, and representation in government.
This includes appointing young leaders to key roles in the Lagos State Government, ensuring they have a platform to develop their leadership abilities while contributing meaningfully to the state’s progress,” the governor said.
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Sanwo-Olu also highlighted that the establishment of the Ibile Youth Academy, since 2017, has played a pivotal role in developing young leaders across Lagos State.
The academy aims to instill core leadership values such as patriotism, volunteerism, discipline, integrity, resilience, collaboration, communication, and innovation—traits essential for excelling in any field, both locally and globally.
The governor emphasized the need for youth with a strong sense of integrity and honor to help build the nation. He urged the youth to continue educating themselves beyond formal schooling, stressing that “potential alone doesn’t put food on the table, but hard work and integrity do.”
The State Commissioner for Youth & Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, in his welcome address, praised the participants for being equipped with the mindset and tools necessary to tackle local and global challenges.
He noted that the theme of the event, “The Future We Want; The Youths We Need,” reflects the Ministry’s mission and vision for the state and country’s future. Ogunlende added that the participants, chosen for their merit and personal recognition, have embraced a transformative journey that deepens their understanding of leadership and community responsibility.
In his presentation on “Leadership and Social Change,” Managing Partner Oludare Akinlaja urged Nigerian youth to rethink leadership—not as a pursuit of personal gain, but as a service to their communities and society.
He stressed that leadership is about reshaping one’s environment and contributing to societal progress.
Akinlaja advised the youth to adopt virtues of integrity, character, and skills, noting that these qualities are essential for respect and relevance in their communities. “If you want people to pay attention to you, you must first pay attention to integrity, values, character, and intelligence,” he said.
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