FG, Lagos partner to host maiden Abuja dialogue on youth leadership

The federal government, in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, will host the first Abuja Dialogue focused on youth leadership as part of efforts to elevate young people’s role in national development.

The event, scheduled for April 13, in Abuja, will explore the theme “Scaling Excellence: Youth Leadership as Strategic Infrastructure for National Transformation.” It is positioned as a precursor to the Lagos Leadership Summit.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said the initiative reflects a shift from rhetoric to practical strategies in youth development.

He noted that the dialogue aims to move beyond conversations about inclusion to a more structured focus on responsibility, preparation, and capacity building among young Nigerians.

According to Hadejia, discussions will centre on mechanisms for developing leadership capacity, including training, mentorship, institutional exposure, and performance evaluation.

He added that scaling youth leadership requires collaboration across institutions committed to nurturing talent and equipping young people with practical skills for real-world challenges.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, said the dialogue would bring together key stakeholders to examine how youth-focused initiatives can transition from temporary interventions to structured, long-term systems.

She explained that while the academy was established by the Lagos State Government to drive human capital development, its vision has expanded beyond the state to support youth empowerment nationwide.