Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has issued a powerful call for national unity, urging Nigerians to reject the politics of division and embrace a future anchored on shared values and inclusive governance.
Speaking at the 2025 Lagos Leadership Summit organised by the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, Fashola cautioned against the growing threat of identity politics, where affiliations rooted in ethnicity, religion, or exclusionary ideologies threaten national cohesion. He argued that true leadership must leave no one behind.
Delivering a keynote address titled “The Inclusion Imperative: Why No One Wins When Leadership Leaves People Behind,” the former Lagos State governor said: “The 1999 Nigerian Constitution has been promoting inclusion and national integration, among others, and leaders must work together to give meaning to this to ensure no one is left behind.”
He stressed that the framework for unity already exists within the Constitution, but it requires committed leadership at all levels to translate those ideals into lived realities for every Nigerian.
“True leadership lies in ensuring that no one is left behind, regardless of ethnic, religious or political affiliations,” Fashola declared, urging stakeholders to reject agents of exclusion and to uphold the nation’s collective destiny.
Also speaking at the event, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu reiterated his government’s commitment to grooming resilient, creative, and innovative leaders through inclusive policies under the THEMES Plus agenda. He emphasised the administration’s focus on the youth, women, and people living with disabilities.
“I have been lucky to take forward the aggressive leadership of leaders before me, like President Bola Tinubu, BRF (Babatunde Raji Fashola), my brother, and Mr Ambode,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He reflected on his journey in leadership, stressing the importance of continuous reinvention, learning from failures, and surrounding oneself with knowledge.
“Even when I fail, I keep picking myself up. As a leader, one needs to understand that at every point, there are teachable moments that will build one’s character,” he said.
The governor encouraged young Nigerians to prioritise education, demonstrate excellence, and view leadership as service.
“In public service, loyalty is key. People should be able to trust you. It is part of creative leadership,” he said, cautioning against the influence of misinformation on social media.
Executive Secretary of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, described the academy as a space where ambition meets talent and legacy begins.
She noted that 60 fellows have graduated so far, with 30 more currently undergoing leadership training.
The summit, themed “Transformative Leadership: Development-Responsive, Adaptive and Inclusive Models,” drew attention to the pressing need for leaders who prioritise inclusion and unity in building a stronger Nigeria.
