Fellows of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) have concluded a four-day leadership seminar focused on fostering personal responsibility and principled leadership, with the final session themed “The Promise of Leadership”.
The Leadership seminar, which forms a core part of the Academy’s curriculum, challenged participants to move beyond theories of leadership and reflect on the internal values and convictions that shape their approach to public service.
The Executive Secretary of the Academy, Mrs. Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, noted that the experience was designed to be transformative rather than instructional.
“This seminar is not just about acquiring knowledge, it is about shaping the kind of leaders our society truly needs”, she said. “It’s an opportunity for our Fellows to pause, reflect, and confront the deeper questions of why and how they lead”.
Throughout the Seminar, the Fellows engaged in moderated discussions, group reflections, and individual exercises that helped them examine the tension between ambition and purpose, and the moral weight of public leadership.
Facilitator and Organisation Effectiveness Consultant, Mrs. Habibat Balogun, who anchored the closing session, emphasised the importance of self-awareness and ethical clarity in leadership.
“Leadership is not always about making noise or being in charge. Sometimes, it’s about standing firm in your values, even when no one is watching. This kind of internal alignment is what will make them credible and trusted public leaders” she said.
Each Fellow ended the seminar by making a personal leadership vow; an individual promise that reflects their commitment to lead with integrity, empathy, and impact.
For Evelyn Ayansola, one of the current Fellows, the experience was a wake-up call. “This seminar forced me to ask hard questions about myself and my motivations, My vow is to lead with intention and never lose sight of the people I serve” she said.
The Leadership Seminar is part of a broader effort by LJLA to equip emerging leaders with not just technical skills, but the character and courage required to lead change across institutions in Lagos State and beyond.
