Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy Graduates 2025/2026 Cohort, Inducts 30 New Fellows as Sanwo-Olu Urges Youth to Shape Lagos Future

The Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy has celebrated the graduation of its 2025/2026 cohort and inducted 30 new fellows for the 2026/2027 fellowship year. The event held in Ikeja on Friday evening reaffirmed the academy’s commitment to developing young Nigerians for leadership and public service.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was the special guest, urged the graduates to use the knowledge and experience from the programme to promote positive change across Nigeria. He said the fellowship should not be seen as the end of training, but as the beginning of their responsibility to society.

At the ceremony, 30 fellows of the 2024/2025 cohort, called the “Class of Catalysts,” received their certificates of completion. Another 30 fellows were inducted into the 2025/2026 cohort. Governor Sanwo-Olu was also honoured with an award at the event.

The Governor said the academy was established to bridge the gap between the aspirations of young Nigerians and the realities of public sector leadership. Named after the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, former Governor of Lagos State, the academy was created to reflect Jakande’s belief that leadership is measured by lives transformed and institutions built, not just by time in office or projects completed.

Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence that the academy would outlive his administration. He described it as a permanent asset of Lagos State, not a programme tied to any government or budget cycle.

He challenged the graduating fellows to apply the lessons learned when faced with difficult situations in their careers. He also disclosed that over 16,000 applications were received for the new cohorts, which he said shows the level of trust in the academy and the potential of the selected fellows.

He advised the new fellows to embrace discomfort, collaborate with people from different backgrounds, and be willing to contribute even when they have the least experience in the room. He stressed the need to create a clear pathway from the academy into public service so that young Nigerians trained for leadership can get opportunities to apply their skills in government and other institutions.

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, told the fellows to learn, unlearn and relearn. He urged them not to fear technological change but to adapt quickly and use new technologies to solve societal problems. He encouraged them to uphold the legacy of the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande by ensuring their leadership delivers real impact.

The Executive Secretary of the Academy, Mrs. Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for his support and political will. She said his commitment to youth empowerment has inspired many fellows to pursue careers in public service. She also commended Dr. Hamzat for prioritising youth development.

Mrs. Agbaje-Okunade said the academy’s goal is not only to train young people, but to ensure the skills and experience gained lead to career opportunities and leadership roles. She urged the incoming cohort to understand the responsibility that comes with their selection.

Keynote Speaker, Mr. Hakeem Bello-Osagie, encouraged the fellows to find their own path and not follow the crowd. He urged them to take risks, dare to fail, and overcome fear.

Stakeholders at the event commended the Lagos State Government for sustaining the vision of the academy.