Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, took a moment to reflect on his leadership journey during an inspiring speech at the Lagos Leadership Summit held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Speaking before a group of young leaders at Konga Place, Lekki, Sanwo-Olu shared his personal experiences in leadership, emphasizing the importance of excelling in smaller roles as the foundation for greater leadership opportunities.
Sanwo-Olu noted that mastering simple tasks is essential for individuals aspiring to handle more significant responsibilities. He explained, “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.”
A key highlight of Sanwo-Olu’s speech was his acknowledgment of President Bola Tinubu’s role in shaping his leadership abilities.
Reflecting on his time working under Tinubu’s administration, Sanwo-Olu expressed how the former Governor’s mentorship laid the groundwork for his professional growth.
He emphasized how being entrusted with various responsibilities under Tinubu allowed him to broaden his understanding of leadership and governance.
Sanwo-Olu recounted how he started his public service career in 2002, when he was appointed Special Adviser on Economic Matters by Tinubu. He described this period as crucial in helping him explore his potential as a leader. “I was appointed as Special Adviser when former Governor, now President Tinubu, began laying the groundwork for transforming Lagos into a modern city,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu further shared that his leadership development journey involved managing diverse portfolios, including Transportation, Environment, Public Safety, and Education. He noted that while in these roles, he pushed his team to exceed expectations, delivering tangible results without focusing on future rewards.
He also described his experience in a role that was perceived as less prestigious, under the administration of then-Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, following Tinubu’s tenure.
Despite the lack of recognition associated with the position, Sanwo-Olu found it to be one of the most rewarding in terms of refining his leadership skills. “The task brought out the best in me — testing my ability to transform human capital to deliver tangible progress,” he remarked.
During the summit, which was organized by the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA), Former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola also spoke on the importance of inclusivity in leadership. Fashola emphasized the need for leaders to ensure that their leadership style promotes unity, diversity, and inclusion.
He noted, “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.”
Fashola also suggested town hall meetings as an effective way for leaders to promote inclusivity and listen to the concerns of the people. Other notable figures at the summit included the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali; and the Oniru of Iru Kingdom, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal.
