On Friday, I was honoured to participate in a Campus Leadership and Civic Engagement event hosted in Ekiti State by the Center for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) through its Media in National Elections (MiNE) Project, with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy. The event brought together student unions, campus leaders, and student groups from across the state for an engaging dialogue on leadership and civic responsibility.
As part of the programme, I participated in a panel session titled “Intergenerational Conversation on Shaping the Future of Leadership in Nigeria,” moderated by Kabir Adejumo. I joined fellow panelists including the SUG President of FUOYE, Adio James Iyanuoluwa, Mboho Eno, and Idris Alooma Akinbajo for a thoughtful exchange with student leaders.
Our discussion focused on civic education and leadership, exploring how students can advance civic engagement, participate responsibly in democratic processes, and strengthen their leadership capacity. I also emphasized the importance of intentionally building a successor generation of leaders who are values-driven, grounded in integrity, and committed to public service and the common good.
It was particularly encouraging to engage with vibrant student representatives drawn from across Ekiti State’s tertiary institutions and student bodies, including The Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology, Ikere-Ekiti, the College of Health Technology, Ijero-Ekiti, Ekiti State University, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, and Isan Polytechnic, as well as representatives of the Federation of Ekiti State Students Union, the Federation of Ikole Local Government Students Union, and the Federation of Oye Local Government Students Union. The event provided a valuable platform for students to exchange ideas, gain insights from experienced leaders, and reflect on their role in strengthening civic participation and leadership on their campuses and in their communities.
I commend CJID and the MiNE Project team for creating this important platform for youth engagement and leadership development. My sincere appreciation also goes to the Royal Norwegian Embassy for its continued support, and to the facilitators, panelists, and participants whose contributions made the engagement impactful.
