By Ejire Folakunmi
The Lagos State Government, through the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA), has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing youth leadership as a national priority ahead of the Abuja Dialogue 2026.
This was made known during a high-level press briefing held at the Office of the Vice President in Abuja.
The briefing, led by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President (Office of the Vice President), Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia, outlined the vision of the Dialogue as a strategic platform to position youth leadership at the centre of governance and national development.
Hadejia emphasised the need to move beyond recognising the potential of young Nigerians to building structured systems that can translate such potential into effective leadership within institutions.
He described the Abuja Dialogue as a deliberate effort to promote cross-sector collaboration and create practical pathways for integrating young leaders into governance.
In her remarks, the Executive Secretary of LJLA, Mrs. Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, stressed the importance of sustained and intentional 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 effectively within complex systems.
“The Abuja Dialogue is a timely intervention that focuses on how Nigeria can strengthen leadership capacity through structured training, mentorship, and experiential learning,” she said.
Agbaje-Okunade reiterated the Academy’s commitment to bridging the gap between knowledge and practice, ensuring that young Nigerians are equipped not only with ideas but with the capacity to apply them in real-world governance settings.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, conveyed the Governor’s commitment to youth development.
He said Lagos State remains focused on expanding opportunities for young people while strengthening their leadership capacity.
Akosile added that the collaboration with the Office of the Vice President reflects a broader effort to build 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 bring together stakeholders from the public and private sectors, as well as development partners, to explore practical approaches to strengthening youth leadership in Nigeria.
The Dialogue, which serves as a precursor to the Lagos Leadership Summit, is expected to shape discussions on governance, institutional capacity, and youth inclusion, while fostering collaboration and actionable outcomes.
The statement was issued following the press briefing at the Office of the Vice President.