The Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) has celebrated a significant milestone with the graduation of its inaugural cohort and the induction of a new set of fellows. 

 

 The 29 fellows of the pioneer set have successfully completed a year of intensive immersion into the leadership ideals and governance practices of the Lagos State government. 

 

Speaking at the ceremony held in Ikeja-Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the event as ‘a very significant milestone, not just in the lives of these remarkable young people, but also in the unfolding story of leadership development in Lagos State and Nigeria’.

 

Governor Sanwo-Olu urged the graduating fellows to utilise the knowledge and leadership skills acquired to help shape the future of Lagos, Nigeria, and Africa. 

 

He also announced that one of the graduating fellows would be employed to oversee the academy’s alumni office to ensure continued engagement and collaboration among the fellows. 

 

He added, “This event is a testament to the enduring legacy of one of our country’s most illustrious leaders, the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, whose vision and values continue to inspire and guide us”

 

“We conceived the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy to nurture the next generation of public sector leaders equipped to navigate the complexities of our time” Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted.

 

“Our mission was clear, to empower young, dynamic, and visionary individuals with the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundations necessary to drive positive change within their communities, our state, and beyond” 

 

Reflecting on the journey of the pioneer fellows, the governor commended their transformation, noting that they “have embraced the rigorous and diverse curriculum of the Academy, which seamlessly blends theoretical knowledge with practical experience” 

 He continued, “This ceremony is more than just a celebration of their achievements, it is a celebration of the vision we set out to achieve with the establishment of this Academy. Today, I am filled with a profound sense of fulfilment and optimism, and deeply excited that the goals of the Academy are being realised; embodied in this set of inaugural Fellows who are now poised to take on the challenges of the future with courage and determination”.  

 

The ceremony also marked the induction of 30 new fellows into the academy, selected from over 12,000 applicants.

 

The Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Abisogun II, encouraged the government to leverage the knowledge and ideas of the fellows by integrating them into the civil service to improve its effectiveness. 

 

Executive Secretary of the Academy, Mrs. Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, congratulated the graduating fellows and expressed pride in their growth and achievements. 

 

 As the LJLA continues to evolve, the academy remains committed to nurturing young leaders, unlocking their potential, and preparing them to make significant contributions to society.