The Africa Leadership Initiative - West Africa (ALIWA) has concluded a week-long Leadership Seminar for the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) 2025/2026 “Class of Catalysts”.
Lagos, Nigeria (October 23rd, 2025) — The Africa Leadership Initiative West Africa (ALIWA) has concluded a week-long leadership seminar for the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) 2025/2026 “Class of Catalysts”, nurturing a new generation of values-driven leaders and reinforcing ALIWA’s commitment to ethical, transformative leadership in Nigeria.The Quarterly Leadership Seminar, which forms part of the Leadership Development component of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy's one-year Fellowship Programme, is designed to equip emerging leaders with the tools for ethical, effective, and purpose-driven leadership.
Speaking after the session, Executive Director, ALIWA Ayo Maj, reaffirmed the organisation’s dedication to nurturing leaders rooted in values, integrity, and service while acknowledging the Lagos State-backed Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy for its continued partnership and commitment to empowering young leaders as agents of change.
“At ALIWA, we are committed to raising a generation of values-based leaders in keeping with our mandate of inspiring change — personal, organisational, and societal. We are grateful to the Lagos State government for creating the platform via the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy Fellowship Programme to empower young leaders with the tools to effect positive change, and together we will continue to promote the development of leaders as social change agents focused on addressing and solving community problems.”
On her part, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, Executive Secretary of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, commended the ongoing collaboration with ALIWA, noting that it reflects a shared commitment to nurturing principled, service-oriented leaders who can transform governance in Nigeria. She also highlighted that the Academy has now been formally gazetted into law, marking a significant milestone in ensuring its sustainability.
“At the LJLA, we believe that the foundation for effective governance is leadership that prioritises service, ethics, and accountability. Our partnership with ALIWA reinforces our shared vision to build a generation of leaders who will redefine public service in Nigeria. We are also pleased to note that the Academy has now been formally gazetted into law — a milestone that ensures the continuity and institutionalisation of this important work.”
Earlier in the year, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, officially signed into law the bill establishing the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA), cementing its place as a statutory institution dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders in Nigeria.
Since the inception of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy in 2022, ALIWA has served as a technical partner moderating their uniquely curated leadership seminars, which are a combination of close reading, deep reflection, and thoughtful, guided dialogue.
About ALIWA
The Africa Leadership Initiative West Africa (ALIWA) is part of the Aspen Global Leadership Network (AGLN), which is a worldwide community of about 4,000 high-integrity, entrepreneurial leaders from business, government, and the nonprofit sector in about 60 countries. ALIWA’s mission is to develop and inspire a new generation of values-based West African leaders committed to creating positive impact in their communities and beyond.
