Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called for institutionalised leadership transition to youths, urging the deliberate implementation of systems to harness their potential for national development.

This was noted in a statement on Tuesday by his spokesman, Gboyega Akosile.

Mr Sanwo-Olu spoke at the 2026 Abuja Dialogue held at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, where stakeholders examined youth participation in leadership.

The summit, themed ‘Scaling Excellence: Youth Leadership as Strategic Infrastructure’, was organised by the Office of the Vice-President and the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy.

He said youth leadership was no longer debatable, but questioned whether adequate systems existed to channel their energy productively.

“In Lagos, we invest billions in roads, bridges, rail systems and waterways, alongside power, housing and healthcare. No one questions these investments because the returns are visible.

“However, without competent, ethical and visionary leaders, every road will deteriorate, and every institution will fail. This is why Lagos treats leadership development not as social welfare, but as a strategic governance pillar,” he said.

Mr Sanwo-Olu stressed that human capital investment remained critical for long-term national success, warning of consequences if youths were not equipped for leadership.

“What happens when we fail to prepare young people is a cycle of deficits far more expensive to fix than to prevent,” added the Lagos governor. “It also leads to brain drain, depleting our talent pool while strengthening other nations.” 

Mr Sanwo-Olu said the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy was established to bridge leadership gaps through structured training, mentorship and governance exposure.

According to him, the academy serves as a talent incubator, integrating young people into public-sector processes to address societal challenges.

Earlier, Vice-President Kashim Shettima underscored the need for a structured and intentional leadership pipeline for young people. 

He warned that leadership should not be seen as a ceremonial handover, but a deliberate process of preparation and integration.

He added that national progress depended on a reliable leadership pipeline built through collaboration, mentorship and adherence to standards.

(NAN)