Presidency and Jakande Academy to Host Inaugural Abuja Dialogue on Youth Leadership Development
The Presidency, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government and the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, is set to host the maiden Abuja Dialogue on youth leadership development this Monday. This landmark initiative aims to institutionalize a structured and sustainable pipeline for grooming Nigeria's future leaders, moving beyond rhetorical commitments to actionable frameworks.
Shifting Focus from Inclusion to Preparation
Organized in partnership with the Office of the Vice President, the dialogue seeks to shift national focus from mere youth inclusion to a coordinated, results-driven approach for leadership development. Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, emphasized that the event will place youth leadership at the center of national discourse, with a specific focus on translating the potential of young Nigerians into functional capacity within governance systems.
"While inclusion provides access, preparation ultimately determines whether young people can contribute meaningfully in systems that demand competence, discipline, and accountability," Hadejia noted, highlighting the critical distinction between opportunity and capability.
Strategic Infrastructure for National Transformation
Themed "Scaling Excellence: Youth Leadership as Strategic Infrastructure for National Transformation," the dialogue serves as a precursor to the upcoming Lagos Leadership Summit. It will convene stakeholders from government, private sector, development institutions, and the youth community to develop practical strategies for leadership development.
Executive Secretary of the Jakande Academy, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, described the dialogue as a strategic platform to drive a paradigm shift that recognizes youth leadership development as critical national infrastructure. "Nigeria must invest in its young population with the same urgency accorded to physical infrastructure," she warned, adding that sustainable development depends on building a capable and well-prepared leadership base.
Lagos State's Leadership Model
Agbaje-Okunade highlighted that the Academy—established under Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu—is already demonstrating the impact of structured investment through comprehensive leadership training, mentorship programs, and practical exposure for young Nigerians. She noted that collaboration with the Office of the Vice President reflects growing national alignment and presents an opportunity to scale such successful initiatives across the country.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Lagos State Governor, Gboyega Akosile, underscored the importance of sustained political will in advancing youth-focused programs. "Lagos State has consistently prioritized youth empowerment through targeted initiatives such as the Leadership Academy, which serves as a pipeline for grooming the next generation of leaders," Akosile stated.
Elevating Youth Development to National Priority
Akosile further emphasized that the Abuja Dialogue would elevate youth development into a national priority, stressing the need for deliberate inclusion of young people in decision-making processes across all levels of governance. The event is expected to convene governors, policymakers, industry leaders, and development partners to chart a strategic pathway for building a competent, future-ready leadership pipeline for Nigeria.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the dialogue would yield actionable outcomes, including frameworks for institutionalizing youth leadership development and strengthening collaboration between government and private sector entities. The initiative represents a significant step toward creating sustainable mechanisms for identifying, training, and deploying young leaders who can drive Nigeria's transformation agenda forward.
