Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and former Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, have called for stronger institutions, expanded opportunities for young people, and inclusive leadership as critical drivers of Africa’s development.
They made the call at the Lagos Leadership Summit 2026, organised by the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, where policymakers, development partners, and emerging leaders gathered to explore how governance can deliver sustainable impact.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Governor Sanwo-Olu stressed that sponsorship remains the most decisive factor in unlocking youth potential, noting that mentorship and access alone are insufficient without real opportunities.
“Mentorship builds capacity. Sponsorship creates opportunities. Access gives you exposure,” he said, explaining that while the three are interconnected, sponsorship ultimately provides the platform for impact.
He observed that many young Nigerians are equipped with education and skills but lack the opportunity to apply them, a gap he said continues to limit productivity across sectors. He added that sponsorship should not be mistaken for patronage, but seen as institutional support that enables individuals to translate knowledge into measurable outcomes.
In her keynote address, Sirleaf emphasised the importance of building enduring institutions, warning that governance driven by personalities rather than systems cannot deliver lasting development.
“Systems that outlive us are not built by the force of personality alone, but by those who relinquish power deliberately,” she said.
Drawing from her experience leading Liberia after years of civil conflict, she highlighted the role of accountability, transparency, and the rule of law in rebuilding trust and stabilising governance.
“The strength and quality of governance define a presidency, but strength alone does not deliver change. Leadership does,” she added.
Sirleaf also advocated greater inclusion of women in leadership, describing it as Africa’s most underutilised resource and cautioning against equating symbolic achievements with structural progress.
“When half of your population is excluded from decision-making, you are governing with one hand tied behind your back,” she said.
Earlier, Executive Secretary of the academy, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, called for deliberate system-building, stressing that leadership must be judged by its ability to create structures that endure.
“In a state like Lagos, leadership is measured by what it builds, what it sustains, and what continues to function in its absence,” she said.
She urged young participants to see themselves as active contributors within existing systems, rather than passive actors waiting for future opportunities.
“You are already within the system. The question is whether you are engaging it with intention or simply reacting to it,” she said.
The summit reinforced the need for leadership anchored on strong institutions, inclusive participation, and sustainable governance practices across Africa.