Samuel Isiwu: The Leadership Mentor transforming youth leadership across Africa

Samuel Isiwu, widely known as The Leadership Mentor (TLM), has taken the Mega Students Leadership Conference to new heights by hosting the International Youth Leadership Summit in Rwanda. In an exclusive interview, he shared his motivations, challenges, and vision for empowering Africa’s youth through leadership development.

Stylcon International, led by Samuel Isiwu, expanded its leadership initiative beyond Nigeria to create a broader impact across Africa. This year’s summit in Rwanda marked a milestone for the organization. Explaining the choice of location, Samuel said, “Rwanda offers a powerful backdrop to inspire young leaders, with its remarkable story of resilience, innovation, and rapid sustainable development.”

By partnering with the African Leadership University (ALU) Founders’ Society, the summit brought together change-makers from over 30 African nations, creating a Pan-African platform to reimagine and redesign the continent’s future.

The theme for this year’s summit, “Sustainable Youth Leadership”, underscored the importance of long-term solutions to Africa’s challenges. “Africa’s future depends on the ability of its young leaders to drive sustainable development,” Samuel stated.

Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, the conference focused on equipping delegates with entrepreneurial skills to tackle poverty, unemployment, and environmental issues. Samuel believes this approach will shape a generation of solution-oriented leaders capable of creating intergenerational impact.

A key strength of the 2024 summit was its diversity, with speakers from five countries sharing insights on leadership and innovation. “The diversity of voices promoted a broader perspective on leadership,” Samuel explained. This richness of ideas not only encouraged knowledge exchange but also emphasized the interconnectedness of Africa’s challenges and the need for collective action.

One of the standout moments this year was the presence of H.E. Naeem Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to Rwanda. His insights on international relations and leadership inspired attendees and highlighted the importance of global collaboration.
Reflecting on the summit’s evolution, Samuel noted its growing recognition as a Pan-African and international platform. “Compared to past conferences, this year’s event stood out in its ability to attract such high-profile participation,” he said.

Hosting an international event of this magnitude came with challenges, particularly in mobilizing resources and securing partnerships across multiple countries. Samuel credited meticulous planning, a strong network, and collaborative leadership for overcoming these hurdles.

The most unexpected breakthrough? “The overwhelming enthusiasm from our team and speakers,” he revealed, adding that this support reaffirmed the vision and demonstrated the hunger for a platform fostering sustainable leadership across Africa.

Samuel’s vision extends far beyond these summits. He aspires to establish a five-star leadership development institution to groom over two million leaders by 2050. “These conferences aim to create a robust network of leaders committed to sustainable development,” he shared.

With 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, Samuel emphasized that young people are the continent’s most valuable resource. “By 2030, young Africans are expected to constitute 42% of the global youth population,” he highlighted, underlining their potential to solve Africa’s challenges.
The summit empowered young leaders to acquire practical skills and form strategic networks. “We equipped them to take ownership of Africa’s future by creating their own solutions,” Samuel said.

Buoyed by the success in Rwanda, Samuel plans to expand the summit to other regions such as Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Mauritius. “Each edition will address region-specific challenges while promoting a unified vision for sustainable development,” he explained.

The role of collaboration was evident in the summit’s success, with co-conveners Ogbogu Chisom and Ayomide Agbaje playing pivotal roles. “Collaboration is the cornerstone of impactful leadership,” Samuel said, emphasizing the importance of shared vision and teamwork.

Reflecting on his leadership journey, Samuel shared a deeply personal story. Growing up in Asheshe, a rural community in Delta State, he faced substance addiction at the age of eight, which caused emotional distress for his family. His mother enrolled him in the Step-Up Leadership Development School in 2008, where five years of mentorship transformed his life.

This transformation inspired Samuel to found Stylcon International in 2019 to support the educational and behavioral development of underprivileged children and youths in Nigeria. “Mentorship changed my life,” he said, “and now, I am hosting international conferences to empower others.”

Samuel’s message to young leaders is clear: “Remain committed to your vision, embrace collaboration, and focus on creating solutions that serve others. Leadership is about empowering people, and the impact you create will always outlast you.”

Through the Mega Students Leadership Conference and the International Youth Leadership Summit, Samuel Isiwu is shaping Africa’s future by empowering its youth. His unwavering commitment to sustainable leadership sets a powerful example for aspiring leaders across the continent.