Lagos gov, ex-Liberian president outline factors necessary for Africa’s growth
By Adeola Ogunrinde
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 examine how governance can deliver sustainable impact.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, emphasised that sponsorship remains the most important factor in unlocking youth potential, noting that mentorship and access alone are not enough.
He explained that while mentorship builds capacity and access provides exposure, sponsorship is what creates real opportunities for young people to prove their competence and make meaningful impact.
The governor further noted that many young Nigerians are educated and skilled but lack the platform to apply their knowledge, a gap he said continues to limit productivity across sectors. He added that sponsorship should not be seen as patronage but as institutional support that enables individuals to deliver measurable results.
In her keynote address, Sirleaf shifted attention to the need for strong institutions, warning that governance built on personalities rather than systems cannot achieve lasting development.
Drawing from her experience leading Liberia after years of civil war, she stressed that rebuilding required deliberate investment in accountability, transparency, and the rule of law, as well as efforts to restore public trust and economic stability.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the academy, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, urged participants to focus on building systems that endure, while also encouraging young people to see themselves as active contributors within existing structures rather than waiting for future opportunities.
