As conversations around youth unemployment, civic disengagement, and leadership succession continue to dominate policy discussions in Nigeria, Ife Olagunju believes leadership development must begin far earlier than adulthood. In this interview with Business A.M.’s Onome Amuge, the entrepreneur and leadership development advocate discusses how The Servant Leader Foundation (SLF) is positioning secondary school students for future leadership through experiential learning and civic engagement initiatives. Drawing from his background in Information Technology, International Relations, and Economics, Olagunju explains how the organisation’s programmes are helping students develop practical skills in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and service leadership under the foundation’s guiding philosophy, “Empowering tomorrow’s leaders today.” Excerpts:
How would you assess the current state of youth leadership and civic engagement among young Nigerians today?
Youth leadership in Nigeria is passionate and plentiful. There is no shortage of young Nigerians who identify pressing issues in their immediate or wider communities. However, I believe there are three major areas of improvement: Mastery of relevant issues, substantive participation in Nigeria’s political process, and group organisation. These three are not necessarily independent of each other.
On the first point, the average Nigerian youth can describe in great detail their pain points and the pain points of the country as a whole. However, they might fail to provide a thorough and realistic solution. We must enter an era of not only understanding issues but understanding solutions in all their complexity. We must also develop the difficult patience it takes to produce real differences to systems that have suffered near irreparable damage.
On the second point, today’s digital era, with social media, AI among other realities has also made access to and participation in civic issues more ubiquitous albeit less substantive. It is easier to type about problems than engage them in a fashion that heightens risk but produces results. An instagram post holds weight but is not the same as registering to vote and marching to your polling unit.
Lastly, we must match our passion with organisation and unity. No issue or political candidate can withstand a youth bloc like Nigeria. A united voice will compel much improved governance that will unleash the potential of Nigeria’s youth population.
What inspired you to establish the Servant Leader Foundation, and what gap were you seeking to address in Africa’s leadership ecosystem?
SLF is an attempt to replicate my most formative experiences. I asked myself, “What are the exposures and experiences that forged my leadership philosophy, that made me the leader I am today?” I want to see an African populace where youth have strengthened the basics, one where ideas can be communicated effectively and persuasively on issues we are well informed and educated on.
In what ways does the Servant Leader Foundation’s experiential learning model differ from conventional classroom education and what were the major milestones achieved by SLF in 2025 as the organisation expanded across multiple Nigerian states?
Our approach is very hands-on. In our debate competitions, we give students ample time to articulate a persuasive position on relevant topics. In our Boot Camps, we teach students how to break issues down atomically and craft their solutions systematically. This usually culminates in a pitch that involves a Business Model Canvas and Cost Structure template. Our Youth Summits not only invites guests with extremely rich backgrounds to share their stories but emphasizes interactive workshops where the students deliver pitches on the most crucial aspects of the Guest Speaker sessions. Our Essay and Debate Competitions across Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos have reached over 200 students across over 20 schools. Additionally, our Boot Camps this year impacted 130 students across 4 schools. Lastly, our Youth Summit is projected to reach 300 students across 25 schools. All this has been within our different states of operation: Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos, Abuja. In each state we have a team of Volunteers and Executives. The whole SLF team stands at about 45 strong with most members being young professionals and University Students.
What challenges has SLF faced while scaling its programmes nationally, and how have you addressed them?
As a nonprofit organisation we have had to tackle two main challenges: fundraising and establishing credibility. We have been blessed with several private donations and corporate partnerships but remain open to working with individuals we align with philosophically.
We have also needed to establish credibility as we are not yet a household name. This has been addressed by prioritizing in-person communication over emails and phone calls. Every school we have worked with has had an in-person representative visit their physical premises and engage key stakeholders.
How do you secure partnerships and funding support for a non-profit focused on youth leadership development?
We speak with as many potential partners as we can and pitch our ideas to them. We only focus on those that align with our principles and philosophy.
To what extent do you think Nigeria’s education system adequately prepares students for leadership, entrepreneurship, and innovation? What role can the private sector play in supporting leadership development initiatives for young Africans?
I think schools do a good job of providing youth with opportunities to lead. My first real chance came at Preston International School where I was a room leader and eventually student body President. I do think Entrepreneurship needs to be more effectively baked into the curriculum of most schools. However, the formal job market is tightening. We need innovators that are rewarded for building sustainable businesses and solutions. The private sector should continue taking chances on young Nigerians. We need more internships, more apprenticeships but also more opportunities to lead and hold leadership positions. Companies must understand that the field in every sector has drastically changed and the youth are the experts of the digital/AI revolution taking over every industry. This is because a lot of these tools are baked into their daily lifestyles
In your view, what leadership qualities are most lacking among today’s young people, and how can they be developed?
I think researching and communication skills are not where they ought to be. Organisations like SLF will play a role in bridging this gap. However, schools and educational institutions must take the lead on this as students spend most of their time in these institutions.
Are there plans to expand the Servant Leader Foundation beyond Nigeria into other African countries or global youth development partnerships?
The Servant Leader Foundation will have a presence in every state across Nigeria within the next decade. We also will eventually begin work with students in universities as well as young Nigerians outside of educational institutions.
Looking ahead, what is your long-term vision for SLF, and how do you hope it will shape the next generation of African leaders over the next decade?
Our Mission and Vision Statements provide the best response to this. Mission: Empowering young Africans with essential leadership skills during a pivotal stage, fostering their growth as servant leaders ready to excel in any future role.
Vision: A vibrant Africa where young leaders, grounded in service and equipped with essential skills, drive sustainable solutions to local and global challenges.
