Stakeholders in leadership development have called for increased investment in youth mentorship to foster responsible leadership and sustainable national growth.
They made this call at the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) Mentors Meet-Up on Sunday in Lagos.
The Executive Secretary of LJLA, Mrs Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, described mentorship as a legacy investment that equips young people with the skills and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to society.
Agbaje-Okunade noted that while many young people aspire to lead and make a difference, they often lack the resources, guidance, and access needed to realise their potential.
She emphasised that accomplished individuals have a responsibility to create opportunities for young people by enabling them to take on leadership roles and gain practical experience.
She encouraged professionals, business leaders, and public officials to dedicate their time, knowledge, and resources to nurturing the next generation.
“Every young person must have someone to pour into them. I am a product of people pouring into me.
“As a young person, you may have the ambition but not necessarily the means to get there.
“The importance of someone allowing you to lead, even as a young person, cannot be overemphasised,” she said.
She stated that the Academy’s mentorship programme, launched in 2023, had reached its fourth cohort by 2026 and included persons with disabilities.
She added that the initiative has exposed young people to governance structures, leadership experiences, and opportunities to participate in impactful projects across Lagos State.
She urged mentors to remain committed to the programme, emphasising that mentoring should be viewed as a deliberate social investment rather than occasional goodwill.
Agbaje-Okunade also called on political leaders to prioritise investment in young people to drive economic transformation and sustainable development.
Princess Damilola Sonayon-James, APC deputy gubernatorial candidate for Lagos State, stated that society would benefit if successful individuals committed to mentoring at least five young people.
She said many people benefit from society without making sufficient efforts to give back.
She described mentorship as an effective way to transfer knowledge, experience, and values to future generations.
“If everyone who has succeeded takes at least five persons to mentor, the world would be a better place.
“Many people take a lot from society but are yet to give back,” she said.
Sonayon-James saiSonayon-James stated that mentorship helps young people avoid the mistakes of previous generations and prepares them to take responsibility for the future. Professionals, industry leaders and other accomplished individuals should embrace the culture of mentoring.
She added that leadership development should empower young people to identify and address challenges within their communities.
“Meaningful contributions to society need not begin at the national or state level, as individuals can drive change by identifying needs and serving their communities,” she said.
Mrs Titi Oshodi, Special Adviser on Climate Change and Circular Economy to the Governor of Lagos State, stated that social investment requires individuals to help build a future they may not personally benefit from.
Oshodi emphasised the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to participate in the emerging green economy. She noted that sustainability considerations would increasingly shape economic activities across different sectors. She said investments in climate education, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and enterprise development will strengthen young people’s capacity to address emerging economic and environmental challenges. Mrs Ayo Fatoki-Maji, Executive Director and CEO of Africa Leadership Initiative West Africa, said LJLA was established to develop the next generation of leaders.
She said exposing young people to leadership education, mentorship, practical experiences and accomplished leaders would prepare them for responsible participation in society.
Fatoki-Maji stated that the programme encourages fellows to reflect on societal challenges and recognise their capacity to drive positive change.
Verraki Partners Managing Partner, Mr Niyi Yusuf, urged mentees to apply their leadership training through practical community interventions.
He suggested they develop projects that create sustainable impact beyond their participation in the Academy. The Deputy Chief of Staff, Lagos State, Mr Sam Egube, stated that leadership development requires continuous learning and adaptability to evolving governance structures and societal realities.s.He emphasised that individuals must continually develop themselves and understand changing governance dynamics to remain effective leaders.s.
Mrs Seun Oni, Group Managing Director of A.G. Leventis Nigeria Ltd., emphasised the need to introduce enterprise thinking into government structures to foster innovation and improve public service delivery.
The Academy aims to develop young people with the technical expertise, integrity and leadership capacity to drive positive change across different sectors.
It provides practical experiences, mentorship and exposure to governance and societal challenges to prepare young Nigerians for responsible leadership.
