Lagos leadership summit calls for strong systems, youth sponsorship

By Imisioluwa Afunmiso

Stakeholders at the 2026 Lagos Leadership Summit have emphasised the urgent need for strong institutions, youth empowerment, and inclusive governance as critical drivers of sustainable development in Nigeria and across Africa.

The summit, organised by the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy and held in Lagos on April 29, brought together policymakers, development partners, private sector operators, and emerging leaders to examine strategies for building systems that outlive political tenures.

Speaking at the event, Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, stressed that sponsorship remains a key factor in unlocking the potential of young people.

He explained that while mentorship and access are important, they are insufficient without real opportunities for individuals to demonstrate competence.

“Mentorship builds capacity. Sponsorship creates opportunities. Access gives you exposure,” he said, noting that many Nigerian youths possess the required skills but lack platforms to apply them productively.

Sanwo-Olu further clarified that sponsorship should not be misconstrued as patronage, but rather as institutional support that enables measurable impact and national productivity.

In her keynote address, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf underscored the importance of institution-building, warning that governance driven by personalities rather than systems cannot deliver lasting development.

According to her, sustainable progress depends on accountability, transparency, and the rule of law, adding that leadership must be intentional in creating structures that endure beyond individual administrations.

“Systems that outlive us are not built by the force of personality alone, but by those who relinquish power deliberately and responsibly,” she said.

Sirleaf also called for greater inclusion of women in leadership, describing it as a critical yet underutilised resource in Africa’s development. She warned against symbolic representation without structural change, noting that meaningful inclusion strengthens governance outcomes.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the academy, Mrs. Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, charged participants to prioritise system-building, stating that leadership should be measured by its ability to create sustainable and functional structures.

“In a state like Lagos, leadership is defined by what it builds, what it sustains, and what continues to function in its absence,” she said.

She further urged young people to see themselves as active contributors within existing systems, rather than waiting for future opportunities, stressing that intentional engagement is necessary for long-term impact.

Discussions at the summit also focused on governance reforms, enterprise development, access to finance, and the future of work, with stakeholders highlighting the need for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Participants agreed that Africa’s long-term growth will depend on building resilient institutions, expanding real opportunities for young people, and fostering inclusive leadership capable of sustaining development beyond individual tenures.