L-R: Director, Youth Development, Saka Abdul-Lateef; Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende; Lagos State Youth Ambassador, Banjo Oluwasegun; Permanent Secretary, MYSD, Mrs Toyin Oke-Osanyinolu; and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Development, Mr Lekan Biliaminu-Oba, at the 2026 IBILE Youth Academy Study Tour Press briefing, in Lagos... on Monday
By Kayode Olopade
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to send selected Youth Ambassadors on a study tour to the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore, as part of efforts to equip young leaders with global knowledge, innovative ideas and practical governance skills.
The initiative, unveiled during a press conference by the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, is aimed at developing a new generation of visionary and responsible leaders capable of contributing meaningfully to the growth and transformation of Lagos State.
The Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, said the programme reflects the state government’s commitment to youth empowerment, leadership development and global exposure for young Lagosians.
According to him, the proposed study tour, scheduled to hold from July 6 to July 15, 2026, will provide selected youth ambassadors with opportunities to engage with international best practices in public policy, governance and leadership.
He explained that Lagos, being Africa’s largest sub-national economy and one of the world’s fastest-growing cities, requires young leaders with the competence, creativity and strategic mindset needed to address emerging challenges and create sustainable solutions.
The Commissioner noted that youth development remains a key pillar of the administration’s agenda, adding that programmes such as the Lagos State Youth Ambassadors initiative and the Ibile Youth Academy have continued to identify, mentor and empower young leaders across the five divisions of the state.
He disclosed that the Singapore programme represents the fourth international learning tour facilitated by the ministry for Lagos youth leaders, following previous engagements in Barcelona, Spain in 2022; Helsinki, Finland in 2024; and Queen’s University, Kingston, Canada, in 2025.
Ogunlende said the choice of Singapore was strategic, describing the country as a global model in effective governance, innovation and sustainable urban development.
He added that the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, named after Singapore’s founding Prime Minister, has earned international recognition for excellence in public policy, leadership development and governance studies.
“The programme will expose our youth ambassadors to practical lessons in public leadership, policy innovation, urban governance, technology-driven governance, sustainable development and strategic nation-building,” he said.
The Commissioner stressed that the objective was not to copy foreign models but to learn from successful systems and adapt relevant lessons to Lagos realities.
He said participants were expected to return with actionable ideas, policy insights, innovative community projects and solutions that would support the continued development of the state.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Pharm. (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, said the initiative underscores the state government’s sustained investment in preparing young people for leadership responsibilities.
She noted that leadership development goes beyond classroom learning, stressing the importance of exposing young leaders to international best practices, innovative governance models and practical policy experiences.
Oke-Osanyintolu said previous international youth development programmes had produced beneficiaries who have gone on to become advocates, community leaders, entrepreneurs and change-makers within their communities.
She urged stakeholders and the media to support the initiative by highlighting the achievements of Lagos youth development programmes and the opportunities being created for young people.
The study tour is expected to strengthen the capacity of participating youth ambassadors and position them as catalysts for innovation, civic participation and positive change across Lagos State.
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