The Lagos State Government, through the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA), has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing youth leadership as a national priority following its participation in a high-level press briefing held at the Office of the Vice President ahead of the Abuja Dialogue 2026.
The briefing, led by His Excellency, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), outlined the vision for the Dialogue as a strategic platform to position youth leadership at the centre of governance and national development.
In his remarks, Senator Hadejia stressed the need to move beyond acknowledging the potential of young Nigerians towards building structured systems that can translate that potential into effective leadership within institutions. He described the Abuja Dialogue as a deliberate effort to drive cross-sector collaboration and develop practical pathways for integrating young leaders into governance.
The Executive Secretary of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, emphasised the importance of intentional and sustained investment in leadership development.
She noted that preparing young people for leadership requires more than access to opportunities, but a deliberate process of equipping them with the competence, discipline, and exposure needed to function within complex systems.
“The Abuja Dialogue is a timely intervention that brings focus to how Nigeria can more effectively build leadership capacity through structured training, mentorship, and experiential learning” She added.
Mrs. Agbaje-Okunade further reiterated the Academy’s commitment to bridging the gap between knowledge and practice, ensuring that young Nigerians are not only equipped with ideas, but with the ability to apply them in real-world governance contexts.
Also speaking at the briefing, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Media and Publicity, conveyed the position of Mr. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reaffirming the administration’s strong focus on youth development.
He noted that Lagos State continues to prioritise initiatives that expand opportunities for young people while strengthening their capacity for leadership, adding that collaboration with the Office of the Vice President reflects a broader commitment to building systems that prepare the next generation for meaningful participation in governance.
The Abuja Dialogue 2026, themed “Scaling Excellence: Youth Leadership as Strategic Infrastructure for National Transformation” will convene stakeholders across the public and private sectors, as well as development partners, to explore practical approaches to strengthening youth leadership in Nigeria.
As a precursor to the Lagos Leadership Summit, the Dialogue is expected to shape critical conversations on governance and institutional capacity while fostering collaboration and generating actionable outcomes.
