Lagos

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to sponsor selected Youth Ambassadors on a leadership and public policy study tour to the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore as part of efforts to develop globally competitive young leaders. The announcement was made during a press briefing organised…...

The announcement was made during a press briefing organised by the Ministry of Youth and Social Development at its conference room in Alausa, Ikeja.

Speaking at the briefing, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Pharm. (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, said the initiative is designed to expose participants to global best practices in governance, innovation, entrepreneurship and youth development.

According to her, the programme will equip the Youth Ambassadors with the knowledge, skills and international perspectives needed to contribute more effectively to the development of Lagos State.

“We believe that this study tour will broaden the horizons of our Youth Ambassadors, equip them with valuable knowledge and skills, and inspire them to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of our society, particularly Lagos State,” she said.

In his keynote address, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, described the programme as another milestone in the state’s commitment to youth leadership development and international exposure.

He said Lagos, as Africa’s largest sub-national economy and one of the world’s fastest-growing cities, requires visionary young leaders with the competence, innovation and global outlook to tackle emerging challenges.

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Ogunlende noted that the Singapore programme is the fourth international learning initiative organised by the ministry, following similar study tours to Barcelona, Spain, in 2022, Helsinki, Finland, in 2024, and Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada, with additional learning sessions held in Toronto in 2025.

According to the commissioner, the Singapore study tour will take place from July 2 to July 12, 2026, giving participants the opportunity to study one of the world’s leading models of governance and development.

“Singapore represents a powerful example of what can be achieved when leadership is driven by long-term thinking, accountability, innovation and citizen-focused governance,” Ogunlende said.

He described the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy as a globally renowned institution for leadership, governance and public policy, attracting policymakers and emerging leaders from around the world.

The commissioner explained that participants would interact with world-class faculty members, experienced practitioners and senior policymakers while gaining practical insights into public leadership, policy innovation, urban governance, sustainable development, public service delivery and technology-driven governance.

He added that the objective of the programme is to enable participants to understand the principles behind successful governance systems and adapt relevant lessons to support the continued development of Lagos State.