How the 2025 Lagos Leadership Summit set the stage for redefining Transformative leadership in Africa
From the opening remarks to the closing declarations, the summit echoed a consistent and urgent message: the future of Nigeria rests not in waiting, but in doing.
Laying the Groundwork for Inclusive, Ethical Leadership
Day one opened with a surge of optimism and determination as leaders explored the structural shifts required to cultivate transformative leadership. The agenda included keynote addresses, masterclasses, fireside chats, and roundtable discussions that delved into critical issues such as outlasting leadership tenures, promoting inclusion, breaking gender norms, and merging tradition with innovation.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, set the tone during a compelling fireside chat. 'There is no one-size-fits-all approach to transformative leadership,' he asserted. 'To build a system that works, leaders must invest early in education, define the purpose behind their work, and commit fully.'
Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), in his goodwill message challenged attendees to rethink inclusion. 'If the people who work with us are from the same religion, culture, or gender, then we are prejudiced,' he said. 'Inclusion is a mindset—it only becomes real when people feel seen and involved.'
A particularly resonant moment was the powerful roundtable on women in leadership, themed 'Breaking the Concrete Ceiling.' In a room charged with solidarity and strength, panelists dismantled long-held gender stereotypes, encouraging participants to embrace leadership that is both strong and authentic. 'Femininity is not weakness,' one speaker affirmed. 'It is silk-soft and strong. Own your light.'
The roundtable discussion titled ''The Royal Pact: Uniting Tradition and Youth for Nation-Building'' featured cultural insights from traditional leaders such as His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, who emphasized the importance of grounding leadership in indigenous values: 'Nation-building cannot happen in isolation from our cultural truths… leadership is a relay race—the baton must be passed to the younger generation.'
Another notable roundtable, 'Redefining Public Service for a New Generation,' explored the evolving expectations of governance and the urgent need to rebuild public trust through transparency, innovation, and accountability. Speakers emphasized that public service must move beyond bureaucracy to become a tool for impact, guided by empathy, data, and a people-first mindset.
Summit Convener and Executive Secretary of LJLA, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, closed the day by underscoring the Academy's mission. 'This summit began with a bold idea - that leadership isn't inherited, it is built,' she said. 'Here, futures are forged. Here, a new kind of leadership takes root.'
From Conversation to Capacity and Action
If day one sparked vision, day two ignited action. The second day deepened the dialogue by asking: how do we move from intention to implementation?
Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, emphasized values as the bedrock of effective leadership. 'We must not glamorize leadership,' he warned. 'We need a new generation of leaders who build, who solve, who care.'
Featuring in a power-packed roundtable session titled, 'Now or Never: A Call to Action for the Next Generation,' His Worship, Fabrice Brad Rulinda, presented a global perspective and framed Nigeria's youth as part of a broader global movement. 'You have the energy, the innovation, the human capital. Now build the structures to thrive locally and lead globally,' he advised.
Leadership experts, Fela Durotoye and Debola Deji-Kurunmi, in another powerful roundtable discussion; ''Dare to be More: The Power of Aspiration and Action'', offered a candid charge during a breakout session: 'Leadership must be measured by outcomes, not motivation,' they urged. 'Stop chasing inspiration—build structure, build systems, build capacity.'
One of the most poignant moments of the day was the spontaneous recognition of Tinuade Adeyanju, founder of the TARF Foundation, who received a $2,000 grant for her advocacy work in menstrual health. Her testimony of courage and impact affirmed the summit's core message: leadership begins with small acts of service that ripple outward.
Voices from creatives like Genoveva Umeh and young entrepreneurs like Kennedy Ekezie in the ''No Permission Needed: Young Leaders Changing the Narrative'' roundtable discussion reminded attendees that leadership is not defined by titles, but by consistency, resilience, and impact. 'We started where we were,' one speaker shared. 'We just didn't stop.'
In her closing remarks, Agbaje-Okunade encapsulated the summit's spirit: 'This is more than a summit. It is a declaration. Young Nigerians are no longer waiting for change—they are becoming it.'
A New Mandate: Leadership Starts Now
As the Lagos Leadership Summit 2025 concluded, it was clear that the future of Nigeria rests not in waiting, but in doing. The summit's powerful message and inspiring stories have ignited a renewed commitment to lead with purpose, integrity, and urgency.
As participants dispersed, they carried with them a shared understanding: leadership is not about titles, but about action. It's about building systems, solving problems, and caring for the community. In the words of one participant, 'The future isn't someday. It's today. And we are ready.'
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