Ahead of the official rollout of the iLead leadership program for secondary school students in Oyo State by September 2025, more than 500 educators across eleven local government areas within Ibadan have undergone intensive training on the mandate and objectives of the initiative.
The training, organized by the Maxwell Leadership Foundation through its implementing partner, NextGen Leadership Foundation, brought together public and private school principals, vice principals, education inspectors, and teachers.
Participants were sensitized on the aims, impacts, and success stories of the iLead program, which is already active in schools across 12 Nigerian states and over 120 countries globally.
Speaking at the stakeholders’ engagement held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, the Executive Director of NextGen Leadership Foundation and National Coordinator of iLead, Mr. Gbenga Samuel, stated that the program is focused on instilling strong leadership values and life skills in students from an early stage.
“Students should not only be academically equipped but must also be sound in character, compassion, patience, and purpose.
“We want to lay a strong foundation of values in these young leaders while they are still in school,” Mr. Samuel said.
Quoting Aristotle and Theodore Roosevelt, Mr. Samuel emphasized the importance of moral education alongside academic learning.
“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all,” he reiterated.
In his welcome address, the Oyo State Lead for the iLead Program, Mr. Ope Oyeniyi, revealed that the leadership initiative is currently reaching over 60,000 students nationwide, with 2,154 already participating in Oyo State.
He announced that the program will be scaled up to cover 250 secondary schools in the state by the beginning of the new academic session in September 2025.
Mr. Oyeniyi also conducted a practical session for participants, illustrating how the program is run in schools. He appealed to school administrators and teachers to provide an enabling environment for the success of the program in their respective institutions.
Delivering a keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Inspectorate General of Education, Zone 1, Ibadan, Mr. Kareem L.A., encouraged participants to not only transfer the program’s values and leadership teachings to students but also internalize and reflect them in their professional conduct.
Describing the initiative as a commendable and timely intervention, Mr. Kareem said, “These values will not only guide our students to a good life but also align them with divine principles and enduring success.”
In a goodwill message, the Founder and Executive Director of the Seyi Adisa Development Initiative (SADI), Hon. Seyi Adisa, represented by Mr. Ola Jimoh, emphasized the critical role of teachers in shaping leadership qualities in students.
“Leadership is not a future ambition; it is a present responsibility. The success of any leadership development initiative rests heavily on our teachers.
“Through partnerships like iLead and SADI, we can empower students with values and skills that will last a lifetime,” Hon. Adisa said.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates of recognition to teachers who serve as iLead coordinators in their schools, in acknowledgment of their commitment and contribution to the growth of the program.