In a bid to further drive youth human capital development, the Lagos State Chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has unveiled its much-talked-about Lagos Youth Development Institute (LYDI).
At a world press conference held on Thursday in the Conference Room of the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos, the group’s chairman, Engr. Adigun Ibrahim, explained that the institute is aimed at “cultivating leaders who are not only employable and entrepreneurial but also socially responsible, civically engaged, and globally competitive.”
According to him, the establishment of the leadership academy is in line with his administration’s P3+ Agenda and is designed to complement the State Governor’s THEMES+ agenda and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.
“LYDI was envisioned as a leadership production pipeline—a structured, inclusive, and transformative platform where young Lagosians will be trained to become ethical leaders, civic actors, problem solvers, and social innovators.
“Through a cohort-based learning journey spread across three modules—Leadership & Personal Development, Entrepreneurial Leadership & Career Competence, and the Capstone Experience—LYDI will nurture a new generation of youth who are ready to lead from the frontlines. These are not just participants in a training; they are architects of their communities, authors of solutions, and ambassadors of change,” Adigun said.
On his part, the Director General of the institute, Comrade Jamiu Ademosu, explained that the leadership program is open to youths within the state between the ages of 18 and 35. He announced that registration for the first cohort will commence on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
His words: “LYDI is a state-aligned, hybrid leadership institute that equips young people with the tools, values, voice, and visibility necessary to lead with integrity, innovate solutions, and serve their communities. The institute will deliver a transformative, cohort-based leadership journey for youth aged 18–35, selected from the three senatorial districts of Lagos State: Lagos Central, Lagos East, and Lagos West.”
Speaking further, Ademosu emphasized that registration is free and assured that selection will be based on merit and devoid of nepotism and favoritism. He added that the institute hopes to take in three cohorts per year, and the trainees will graduate at a Lagos Youth Leadership Conference to be convened at the end of each year, where participants will be decorated as Fellows of the institute.
He urged eligible individuals across the 57 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in the state to take advantage of the platform when the portal opens. He also appreciated the State Government for its support through the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Permanent Secretary, Pharmacist Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, as well as the Ministry of Education, LEAP Africa, Mind The Gap, Utiva, GIZ, Civic Hive, and other agencies and non-governmental organizations for their commitment to the project.
