The Godspeed Leadership and Mentorship Development Initiative (GLEMDI), a non-governmental organisation, has emphasised the need to nurture young leaders early as a sustainable way to curb poor governance in Nigeria.
Executive Director of GLEMDI, Mr. Habila Kayit, made this known during the Third Edition of the organisation’s Basic and Post-Basic Education Head Boys and Girls Leadership and Mentorship Retreat held in Abuja.
Kayit said the retreat, themed “Nurturing Young Leaders for Sustainable Development,” was designed to inspire young leaders to promote positive school environments anchored on principles of accountability, inclusion, and good governance.
“The Head Boys and Head Girls Leadership Retreat is one of our flagship programmes aimed at addressing the leadership challenges we face in Nigeria,” he said. “Rather than just complaining about what is wrong, we believe in equipping young people with the right mindset and skills to create change.”
He noted that Nigeria is richly endowed with human and material resources, yet governance failures and poor leadership remain key obstacles to national progress.
Kayit explained that GLEMDI focuses on mentoring young learners in basic and post-basic schools to cultivate responsibility, service, and transparency in leadership from an early stage.
According to him, the retreat targets head boys and girls who serve as student leaders in their schools for a full academic year, teaching them to design impactful initiatives such as tree planting, health campaigns, and anti-bullying projects.
“The goal is to help them leave lasting legacies in their schools and understand their potential to influence positive change in society,” he said.
Kayit added that the initiative had previously been held in Kaduna and would be extended to all 36 states of the federation with support from partners and well-meaning Nigerians.
He stressed that creating a stable society should not be left to government alone, noting that individuals and organisations must also take deliberate action to guide the next generation toward integrity and purpose.
Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the Federal Capital Territory, urged participants to view leadership as service and to develop strong moral character.
“Leaders are not born; they are made through continuous self-improvement,” she said. “True leadership is about sacrifice, problem-solving, and leaving a legacy of positive change.”
A guest speaker, Mr. Kish Jonathan, a legal practitioner, commended GLEMDI for its efforts to build a culture of responsible leadership among the youth, urging students to take the lessons seriously.
He shared his own experience of being inspired by similar mentorship encounters in his youth, noting that such programmes can shape future leaders.
Participants, including Miss Shukurat Sodiq of Premier Academy and Mr. Hamza Imran-Yahaya of Police Day Secondary School, Garki, Abuja, expressed appreciation to GLEMDI for the training, describing it as a life-changing experience that deepened their understanding of leadership as service and sacrifice.