The Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Rinsola Abiola, has called for a deliberate and systemic overhaul of youth leadership development in Nigeria, stressing that it must be treated as a central pillar of education rather than a secondary concern.
Abiola made this known following her participation in the Abuja Dialogue, a precursor to the Lagos Leadership Summit, organised by the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy in partnership with the Office of the Vice President.
According to a statement shared on her official X (formerly Twitter) account, the high-level dialogue convened stakeholders from across sectors to interrogate pressing issues surrounding youth leadership and capacity building in the country.
Speaking at the event, Abiola emphasised that Nigeria’s future hinges significantly on the quality of its young leaders, warning that without intentional investment, the nation risks undermining its long-term development goals.
She said, “There is a need for a deliberate, systemic approach to building the leadership capabilities of our youth—one that treats this not as a peripheral concern, but as a core component of education, backed by intentional policy and commensurate budgetary commitment.”
The DG further underscored the importance of increased private sector participation in nurturing young leaders, noting that evolving global development priorities have made it imperative for indigenous institutions and businesses to fill emerging gaps.
“As shifting priorities in the global development sector continue to redefine funding landscapes, it is more urgent than ever for homegrown institutions and businesses to step into the gap,” she added.
Abiola also used the opportunity to commend the leadership of the Academy, particularly its Executive Secretary, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, for what she described as exceptional commitment to grooming a new generation of principled and capable leaders.
She noted that initiatives championed by the Academy reflect a growing recognition of the need to institutionalise leadership training among young Nigerians.
In the same vein, she lauded the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, for his sustained support for youth-focused platforms and policies.
“His continued responsiveness to the aspirations of Nigeria’s youth and consistent championing of platforms that give young people and their advocates a seat at the table remain commendable,” Abiola stated.
The Abuja Dialogue forms part of ongoing efforts to shape conversations ahead of the Lagos Leadership Summit, with stakeholders expressing optimism that outcomes from such engagements will translate into concrete policies and actionable frameworks.
As Nigeria grapples with the challenges of governance and development, Abiola’s call reinforces a growing consensus that investing in youth leadership is no longer optional but essential—an imperative that could define the nation’s trajectory for generations to come.
