Fellows of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) on Friday broadened their exposure to governance processes with a familiarisation visit to the Lagos State Civil Service Commission. The visit, led by the Academy’s Executive Secretary, Mrs. Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, was part of their ongoing orientation into public service.
Earlier in the day, the Fellows participated in a session on mental resilience facilitated by Mr. Tunde Ekpekurede, CEO of Learning4Living. The session examined the importance of self-awareness, intentionality, and character in building resilience, while equipping the Fellows with tools to navigate the demands of leadership.
At the Commission, the Fellows were received by the Chairman, Mrs. Boladele Dapo-Thomas, alongside Commission Members, the Permanent Secretary, and Management Staff. In her welcome remarks, Mrs. Dapo-Thomas emphasised the Commission’s role as the custodian of professionalism within the public service.
“The Civil Service Commission is central to building and sustaining a credible workforce. Through recruitment, promotion, and discipline, we ensure that the service remains effective and responsive to the needs of government and the people. As future public leaders, you must embrace discipline, accountability, and service excellence as guiding principles” She stated.
The visit gave the Fellows an opportunity to engage directly with the Commission’s leadership, gaining insight into its mandate of recruitment, promotion, and discipline within the State’s workforce. They also asked questions on performance management, civil service reforms, and the role of the Commission in ensuring effective governance.
Speaking during the interaction, Mrs. Agbaje-Okunade noted: “This engagement provides our Fellows with practical insights into the operations and expectations of public service. It is a vital step in preparing them to serve with clarity of purpose and responsibility”.
One of the Fellows, Omoseyindemi Omowunmi in her vote of thanks, described the visit as a defining moment in their orientation journey. “Listening to the Commission’s leadership helped me see that public service requires more than passion, it demands structure, discipline, and integrity. It has challenged me to align my own leadership aspirations with those values” she said.
The visit to the Civil Service Commission is part of a series of institutional engagements designed to provide the Fellows with structured exposure to governance in Lagos State. By coupling capacity-building sessions, such as the training on mental resilience, with direct interaction with public institutions, the Academy continues to blend theory with practice in the development of its leaders.
