Guided by the pillar of civic engagement, a core requirement of the Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship (EPLF), on Wednesday, 17th September 2025, the quiet halls of Babs Fafunwa Senior Grammar School, Ojodu, Ikeja, Lagos State came alive with the voices of seventy eager students and ten staff members. From 12 noon to 2:00 pm, they were immersed in a transformative civic engagement exercise led by Olajumoke Olasoji, a 2025 Fellow of the EPLF.
The activity, a sensitization and step-down training themed “Building the Foundation for Tomorrow’s Leadership Today: Civic Responsibility and Political Participation”, was designed to address a critical need: preparing young Nigerians to become responsible leaders equipped with the skills, values, and vision to shape the future.
Key Outcomes
The training delivered more than knowledge; it created a spark. Students from SS1 to SS3 engaged in workshops on civic duties, leadership styles, communication, and problem-solving, while also reflecting deeply on self-awareness and personal growth.
They explored ethical leadership within the Nigerian context, discussed the challenges and opportunities for young leaders, and discovered why civic participation is not optional but essential. The highlight was seeing students recognize that their voices and actions, though still in their teenage years, influence community development, political accountability, and democratic strengthening.
By the end, participants not only understood civic duties but also saw themselves as stakeholders in Nigeria’s democratic journey, ready to apply leadership skills in their schools, communities, and future careers.
Lessons Learnt
The exercise reinforced one vital truth: engagement is crucial. When students actively participated in discussions, role-plays, and group tasks, their grasp of civic responsibility became stronger and more personal.
Another important lesson was that context matters. By tailoring discussions to Nigeria’s political realities, touching on elections, governance, and civic responsibilities, the training felt real and relatable. Feedback from both students and staff emphasized that civic engagement must be embedded in everyday conversations if it is to shape future leaders.
As an organizer, Olajumoke also observed that collaboration is key. Securing permissions from the Ministry of Education and working with school authorities ensured credibility and smooth delivery. However, challenges such as delayed approvals, resource constraints, and scheduling around school holidays highlighted the need for flexibility and persistence.
Next Steps
The journey does not end here. Olajumoke envisions:
- Follow-up training to deepen learning and track student progress.
- Scaling the initiative to reach more schools across Lagos State and, eventually, Nigeria.
- Encouraging participant-led projects, empowering students themselves to initiate civic engagement activities in their communities.
By sowing seeds of civic responsibility today, this initiative prepares a generation that will lead with integrity, empathy, and vision, qualities desperately needed in Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
This training was more than a classroom exercise; it was a call to action for Nigeria’s future leaders.
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