Sanwo-Olu urges Academy fellows to focus on public impact

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged participants in the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy to measure leadership by the practical solutions it delivers to society as the 2025/2026 cohort prepares to complete the fellowship.

Sanwo-Olu gave the charge during the cohort’s final mentorship session at Lagos House, Marina, where he engaged the fellows on the realities of public leadership, decision-making and service.

The session was designed to give the young leaders direct access to the governor’s experience in government and an opportunity to discuss the challenges of translating leadership ideals into public policy and tangible outcomes.

Sanwo-Olu urged the fellows to embrace continuous learning and remain patient with the leadership process, stressing that leadership should ultimately be judged by its ability to produce solutions and create measurable impact.

He told the fellows that “effective leadership is ultimately measured by the solutions it delivers and the impact it creates”, placing emphasis on outcomes rather than leadership as an end in itself.

The governor also encouraged the fellows not to allow the end of the fellowship to bring the relationships and networks developed through the programme to an end.

He urged them to sustain the relationships built during their time at the academy and contribute to a strong LJLA alumni community, saying the experience, knowledge and networks acquired through the fellowship should provide a foundation for continued collaboration and public service.

The mentorship session came as the fellows presented policy recommendations on issues affecting Lagos, offering proposals on how emerging leaders could contribute to the state’s development.

The presentations provided the cohort with an opportunity to move beyond the academic and experiential components of the fellowship and articulate policy interventions based on their exposure to governance and public-sector institutions.

The Executive Secretary of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, thanked Sanwo-Olu for his continued support for youth development and leadership initiatives in Lagos.

She said the session offered the fellows an opportunity to draw from his experience and gain a deeper understanding of the responsibilities that come with public leadership.

The final mentorship session was attended by members of the Lagos State Executive Council and other senior government officials.

Giving the vote of thanks, the President of the 2025/2026 cohort, Abdulazeez Olumide Abdulazeez, thanked the governor and other officials for giving the fellows direct access to leaders involved in shaping governance and public service in Lagos.

Established in honour of late Lateef Kayode Jakande, the Lagos State’s first civilian governor, the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy is designed to groom young people with the potential to influence Nigeria’s future by combining practical experience, mentorship and exposure to real-world governance challenges.

The academy’s programme emphasises technical competence alongside integrity, innovation, ethical decision-making, critical thinking and resilience, with the broader objective of preparing young leaders to tackle complex societal challenges and drive change across different sectors.