Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently addressed young people at the Lagos Leadership Summit, sharing key insights on leadership development. He emphasized that excelling in small tasks builds the foundation for bigger leadership roles.
Starting Small to Build Leadership
Sanwo-Olu urged young leaders to prove their competence in smaller roles to prepare for bigger challenges. He stated, “Your ability to handle simple tasks well sets the stage for greater leadership.”
Mentorship and Growth
Sanwo-Olu highlighted the importance of mentorship in his own leadership journey. Under President Bola Tinubu, he took on multiple responsibilities, which expanded his leadership capacity. Sanwo-Olu’s career in public service began in 2002 when Tinubu appointed him Special Adviser on Economic Matters, giving him the chance to grow through international engagements and roles in Transportation, Environment, Public Safety, and Education.
Exceeding Expectations and Delivering Results
Sanwo-Olu shared how each role pushed him to exceed expectations and challenge the status quo. In positions like transportation and revenue generation, he focused on results, improving staff capacity and delivering tangible outcomes. His dedication led to continuous growth and prepared him for higher leadership positions.
Embracing New Challenges
After Tinubu’s tenure, Sanwo-Olu served under Governor Fashola. Despite being assigned to roles considered less prestigious, he saw these tasks as opportunities to test his leadership skills. His success in these positions eventually led to his current role as Governor of Lagos State.
Resilience in Leadership
Sanwo-Olu encouraged the young leaders not to be discouraged by setbacks. He stressed that failure is not the end, but a chance to learn and grow.
Inclusive Leadership
Former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola also spoke at the summit, emphasizing the need for inclusive leadership. He highlighted that Nigeria’s Constitution focuses on equality and inclusion, urging leaders to make genuine efforts to include all groups and ensure no one feels excluded.
LJLA: A Platform for Growth
The Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) organized the summit, which took place at Konga Place in Lekki under the theme “Transformative Leadership: Developing Responsive, Adaptive, and Inclusive Models.” LJLA Executive Secretary Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade expressed excitement about the large turnout, underscoring the importance of such forums for fostering collaboration and innovation.
