Lagos Tackles ‘Japa’ Syndrome as Ibile Youth Leadership Boot Camp Opens in Oshodi

​LAGOS – In a strategic move to foster homegrown leadership and stem the tide of youth emigration, the Lagos State Government on Monday officially inaugurated the residential Boot Camp for the 2025/2026 Ibile Youth Academy.

​The intensive one-week program, held at the Digital Bridge Institute (formerly NITEL Training School) in Oshodi, brings together 50 high-achieving participants. These finalists emerged from a rigorous selection process across the state’s five administrative divisions: Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Island, and Epe (IBILE).

​A Call to End ‘Japa’

​Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende, emphasized that the development of Nigeria rests squarely on the shoulders of its youth, who constitute over 60% of the population.

​Addressing the growing trend of young professionals seeking opportunities abroad, Ogunlende noted, “We cannot afford to lose ourselves in the search for the Nigeria of our dreams. No nation is built by foreigners.” He urged participants to abandon the “Japa” syndrome and instead focus on crafting local solutions to national challenges.

​”Rome was not built in a day,” the Commissioner reminded the cohort. “It is one step at a time… We must not give up, but keep on pushing until we get it right in all sectors.”

​Investing in the THEMES+ Agenda

​The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Pharm (Mrs.) Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, highlighted that the academy is a vital component of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ Development Agenda. She urged the 50 participants to utilize the residential camp as a platform to deepen the leadership skills acquired during earlier divisional trainings.

​”The realities posed by our youth demography make it imperative for this administration to prioritize empowerment as a developmental pillar,” Oke-Osanyintolu stated.

​The Path to Ambassadorship

​The boot camp serves as the final proving ground for the state’s next generation of leaders. Throughout the week, participants will engage in:

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• ​Peer-to-peer experience sharing.
• ​Healthy leadership competitions.
• ​Collaborative problem-solving workshops.

​At the conclusion of the program, the overall best-performing participant will be crowned the Lagos State Youth Ambassador. Additionally, five other outstanding youths will be designated as Divisional Ambassadors, tasked with representing and leading initiatives within their respective divisions.

​The event follows a high-profile Leadership Summit and Alumni Launch held last week at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, where Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat originally announced the finalists.

​As the camp progresses, the state government maintains that these young leaders are being groomed not just for local relevance, but to become global icons of discipline, integrity, and innovation.