Waris Sakariyau
Youth Leadership Advocate
He is a passionate educator and youth leadership advocate with a strong commitment to community development, good governance, and inclusive leadership. With a background in Guidance and Counselling from the University of Ibadan, he has developed critical communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, which he has applied across several impactful youth-focused initiatives.
Throughout his academic and civic journey, he has taken on key leadership roles. He served as the President of the Nigerian Universities Education Students Association (NUESA) and the Campus Director for the Millennium Fellowship, leading a team that executed community projects on leadership and education. He also served as the Coordinator of the Seyi Makinde Campus Ambassador Programme and led the student campaign for the Governor’s re-election at the University of Ibadan, mobilizing youth voices for democratic participation.
These experiences shaped his leadership style—rooted in empathy, purpose, and accountability. He believes that effective leadership requires vision, strategic thinking, and a heart for service. The Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship represents a timely opportunity for him to deepen his understanding of governance, policymaking, and political structures.
He is eager to apply the lessons from this programme to grassroots engagement, policy advocacy, and long-term political service. His ambition is to become the Governor of Oyo State, where he intends to champion reforms in education, youth empowerment, and good governance. This fellowship will equip him with the tools, network, and mentorship necessary to begin that journey responsibly and effectively.
He remains driven by humility, service, and a desire to build a Nigeria where leadership is people-centred, solutions-driven, and future-focused.
