Dr. Rabiu Olowo Inspires LJLA Fellows on the Importance of Intentional Leadership

​The Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) recently hosted a thought-provoking fireside chat featuring Dr. Rabiu Olowo, the Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria. The session provided a unique platform for Fellows of the Academy to engage with one of the nation’s foremost finance and leadership experts. The conversation focused on the internal discipline and intentionality required to lead effectively in a world characterized by rapid change and complexity.

​Dr. Olowo challenged the Fellows to view leadership as a lifelong journey rather than a destination or a specific title. He emphasized that true leadership begins with self-awareness and intentional choices made long before one attains a position of authority. “Leadership does not start when you are given authority,” Dr. Olowo remarked, urging the young leaders to build their ethical and mental foundations early in their careers.

​The Executive Secretary of the LJLA, Mrs. Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, described the session as a timely intervention in the Fellows' development. She noted that the Academy is committed to exposing its participants to mentors who stretch their thinking and deepen their sense of social responsibility. The chat reinforced the Academy’s core mission of shaping values-driven leaders who are prepared to handle the challenges of modern governance.

​One of the Fellows, Abdulazeez Abdulazeez, reflected on the session as a grounding experience that highlighted the need for foresight and empathy. He noted that the emphasis on being "intellectually curious and emotionally grounded" resonated with his personal goals. The engagement served as a reminder that leadership in the 21st century demands more than just technical competence; it requires the heart to serve and the wisdom to navigate uncertainty.

​The fireside chat concluded with a call to the Fellows to pay close attention to global shifts and emerging realities. Dr. Olowo’s insights provided a roadmap for navigating the demands of leadership with integrity and purpose. As the LJLA continues its programme, such high-level engagements remain instrumental in preparing the next generation of leaders to drive transformative change in Lagos State and beyond..