Thirty young Nigerians have graduated from the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) as the Academy celebrated its 2025/2026 cohort, known as the Class of Catalysts, at a graduation ceremony that brought together government officials, business leaders, entertainers and other notable personalities in Lagos.
The ceremony, held at the Balmoral Convention Centre at the Sheraton Hotel in Ikeja, also marked the induction of a new set of Fellows into the Academy for the 2026/2027 cohort.
Hosted by media personalities Tomike Adeoye and MC Ajele, the event reflected on the journey of the graduating Fellows while challenging them to see the end of their fellowship as the beginning of a greater responsibility to lead and create change.
From an Idea to a Leadership Movement
The Executive Secretary of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, Mrs Aishat Agbaje-Okunade, delivered the welcome address, reflecting on how the Academy moved from an idea into an established leadership institution.
She credited the support and political will of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for helping to bring the vision to life.
“You know Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy was once just an idea, an idea that could have remained an idea but Mr Governor you gave it life, you gave it structure, you gave it political will…”
Addressing the graduating Fellows, Agbaje-Okunade encouraged them to live up to the name of their cohort and become leaders whose presence creates meaningful change.
“So please go ahead. Don’t merely occupy space, a catalyst creates a movement, it accelerates change, it enters an environment and leaves the environment transformed. My absolute disruptors, go in and fly.”
Her message came at the end of a fellowship year that saw the 30 Fellows take part in leadership development, mentorship and engagements designed to expose them to the realities of governance, public service and leadership.
Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat Challenge Fellows to Lead
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu used his speech to challenge the graduating Fellows to think beyond political positions and consider the wider responsibility of leading Lagos in the future.
“Who will run Lagos after us?” the Governor asked before clarifying that he was not referring to the next election.
He continued:
“Who will negotiate all the concessions, who will run the hospitals, who will sign off on the budget and who will stand before an angry community to explain a difficult decision but a decision they need to take? Who will the people of Lagos be able to trust when everyone of us in this hall have gone home…”
Sanwo-Olu also spoke about the decision to establish the Academy in Lagos State law to ensure its continuity. He explained why the institution was named after former Lagos State Governor, Lateef Jakande, describing the late leader as a man who “did not have the longest tenure but he had the clearest purpose.”
The Governor’s message reflected the broader question at the heart of the LJLA Fellowship: what kind of leaders will young Nigerians become when it is their turn to take responsibility?
Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat also addressed both the graduating Fellows and the newly inducted cohort, reminding them that every generation has a responsibility to improve the world it inherits.
“Every generation inherits a world it did not create, problems it did not cause and opportunities it did not necessarily ask for, but every generation also receives a responsibility to leave the world in a better state than they found it.”
He urged the young leaders to recognise that their certificates represented the completion of a programme rather than the end of their leadership journey.
“Your certificate is evidence that you completed the programme, it is not evidence that you have completed your leadership journey. The real examination begins now.”
New Fellows, Notable Guests and a Performance by Teni
One of the major highlights of the ceremony was the induction of the 2026/2027 cohort, with Governor Sanwo-Olu presenting certificates to the newly inducted Fellows. Deputy Governor Hamzat also joined the new cohort for photographs.
The event was attended by several notable personalities, including former Coordinating Minister of Finance Wale Edun, Lagos State Secretary to the Government Barrister Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the Alara of Ilara Kingdom and Chancellor of Lagos State University, Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, actress Joke Silva, and other government and political leaders.
The celebration also had its entertainment moment when Nigerian singer Teni took to the stage to perform some of her popular songs, getting guests and Fellows on their feet.
For the 30 graduating Fellows, however, the day represented more than receiving recognition for completing a fellowship. They leave as the Class of Catalysts, carrying the Academy’s challenge to create movements, solve problems and leave every environment better than they found it.
After a year of mentorship, learning and leadership experiences, their certificates may mark the end of their time at the Academy, but as Dr Hamzat reminded them, their real examination has only just begun.
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