Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, took a moment to share his journey of leadership development with a group of young people.
He emphasised that demonstrating competence in simple tasks prepares one for more significant responsibilities.
Your capacity to deliver on a set of simple tasks entrusted to you in smaller roles can serve as the foundation for greater leadership exploits,” Sanwo-Olu told an assembly of young people at the Lagos Leadership Summit on Wednesday.
He recounted how his mentor, President Bola Tinubu, nurtured and expanded his leadership capacity by assigning him multiple responsibilities.
Former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola was also present at the event, which was organised by the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) and held at Konga Place, Lekki, with the theme: “Transformative Leadership: Developing Responsive, Adaptive and Inclusive Models.”
Sanwo-Olu, an investment banker by profession, joined public service in 2002 when he was appointed Special Adviser on Economic Matters by then-Governor Tinubu.
According to him, the opportunity to serve in various roles under Tinubu’s administration in Lagos was his most significant chance to explore and realise his leadership potential.
He said: “I was appointed as Special Adviser when former Governor, now President Tinubu, began laying the groundwork for transforming Lagos into a modern city.
This period was when I began to benefit from Tinubu’s transformative and pragmatic approach to leadership.
This opportunity exposed me to international trips and official engagements with various multinational organisations.
I moved across portfolios, serving in areas such as Transportation, Environment, Public Safety, and Education.
While in Transportation, I gave my utmost and pushed the team to exceed expectations. When I was posted to revenue generation, I improved the figures and enhanced staff capacity. In the Environment sector, I challenged the status quo. I was doing all of this without thinking of future rewards.”
Following Tinubu’s tenure in 2007, Sanwo-Olu was nominated to serve under the succeeding Fashola administration.
He explained that he was posted to a ministry considered a “dry land” because it was thought to offer little reward or recognition.
He said, “But the task brought out the best in me — testing my ability to transform human capital to deliver tangible progress, similar to the objectives of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy today.
I took on several roles and excelled. Those leadership responsibilities allowed me to reassess myself and refine my skills.
That period gave me the perfect opportunity to advance to the next level and ultimately prepared me for my current position.”
Sanwo-Olu encouraged participants not to be discouraged by unmet expectations, stressing that failure is not the end of the road.
Fashola, who also served as Minister for Works and Housing, delivered remarks on the summit’s theme.
He said that promoting inclusion and diversity should be a key priority for pragmatic leadership.
Fashola explained that the framers of Nigeria’s Constitution had made equality, inclusion, and participation the foundation of the country’s unity, noting that Sections 14 to 19 of the Constitution provided for Federal Character as the basis for national integration.
He said, “Leaders must build coalitions of unity and belonging. The issue is not whether every leader includes everyone — that’s impossible.
What matters is whether the majority perceive that their leader is making genuine efforts not to exclude or marginalise anyone.
People naturally feel included or excluded, but what’s important is for a leader to understand this sentiment.
I recommend town hall meetings, such as this forum, as a strong platform for promoting inclusion. It allows people to feel heard and consulted on societal matters.”
Among the summit’s discussants were the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali; and the Oniru of Iru Kingdom, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal.
Expressing excitement, LJLA Executive Secretary Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade said the summit’s large turnout underscored the importance of such forums in sparking ideas and conversations that can drive the change young Nigerians desire.
She added that the Leadership Academy continues to provide a platform for young leaders to connect and collaborate on nation-building initiatives.
