The Lagos State Government on Friday marked a major milestone in its drive to raise a new generation of transformational leaders as the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) held the graduation ceremony for its 2024/2025 cohort and inducted the 2025/2026 Fellows in Ikeja.
The ceremony, which took place at Balmoral Hall, Ikeja, was attended by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who praised the resilience and dedication of the graduating Fellows. He described the Academy as a bold initiative to institutionalise leadership that is visionary, principled, and impactful.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the Academy, named after the late first civilian Governor of Lagos, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, was created to bridge the gap between youth aspirations and practical leadership. He stressed that leadership is “not by accident but a product of vision, preparation and character.”
“I charge the graduating Fellows to be agents of change who embody character, conviction and service to the greater good. This Academy is a testament to excellence and to our collective belief that leadership must be nurtured deliberately,” the Governor said.
During the event, Sanwo-Olu also unveiled Torchbearers, a book authored by the 2024/2025 Fellows, and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the Academy so it can evolve into a global model for leadership development.
A total of 30 Fellows successfully graduated from the one-year fully funded residential programme, while 30 new Fellows were inducted into the 2025/2026 session.
The Executive Secretary of the Academy, Mrs. Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, disclosed that so far 60 Fellows have graduated, with more than 85 per cent currently serving in leadership roles across sectors. She commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for sustaining the vision and explained that the Academy’s mission is to “institutionalise principled public leadership” through collaboration between government and the private sector.
Also speaking, the Chairperson of the Alumni Advisory Council, Adepeju Balogun, highlighted the council’s achievements, including mentoring over 200 youths, drafting and adopting an Alumni Constitution in June 2025, and advancing sustainability initiatives aimed at delivering lasting benefits to Lagos State. She described the Academy as “a beacon of excellence” that continues to produce leaders making meaningful contributions across Nigeria.
The event also featured goodwill messages from mentors, who urged the Fellows to remain impactful wherever they find themselves. Special recognitions were presented to Seyi Ugo, who won the All-rounder Award, and to the Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, who received the Most Supportive Personality Award.
Since its inception, the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy has grown into one of the state’s most ambitious human capital initiatives, equipping young leaders with the skills, values, and exposure required to drive transformational change in governance and society.
