As Nigeria inches closer to another election cycle, youths have been urged to stop waiting for power to be handed to them but earn leadership through service, discipline, and volunteerism.

The call resonated throughout the Nigeria@65 Conference held in Abuja on Tuesday, themed “Restoring Values and Volunteerism Among the Youth.” Organised by the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC) in partnership with Aspitah Global Resources, the United Nations Inter-Agency Group on Youth, the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF) and LEAP Africa, the event brought together officials, entrepreneurs, academics and youth leaders to renew focus on civic responsibility and value-driven leadership.

Declaring the conference open, Director-General of the CLTC, Rinsola Abiola, said the time has come for Nigeria to rediscover the spirit of discipline, empathy and service that once defined its civic life.

“At 65, our nation stands at a critical point where restoring discipline, empathy and national service has become indispensable to our collective growth,” she said.

Abiola said the event was to challenge young Nigerians to stop waiting for opportunities and instead create them through service to their communities.

“Volunteerism is the foundation of true leadership. Those who serve today will be trusted to lead tomorrow,” she said. Her remarks were echoed by other speakers, including the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the National Commander of Man O’ War Nigeria, Gbenga Adedamola, who described volunteerism as “the soul of patriotism.”

Representing the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Head of Enlightenment and Reorientation, Aisha Mohammed, said the fight against corruption must begin with character building.

Similarly, Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Olakunle Nafiu, reminded participants that service remains the truest test of leadership.

Delivering the keynote address, tech entrepreneur and CEO of Future Africa, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, said Nigeria’s real challenge is not a shortage of good leaders but a lack of leadership culture.

Aboyeji said. “Our problem is not the failure of leaders, but the failure of leadership itself.

Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa, said Nigeria must restore dignity to public service and make it a noble vocation once again.

In her goodwill message, CEO of Aspitah Global Resources, Latifah Isah, said true leadership begins with personal integrity.
EQUALLY, young entrepreneurs have been urged to go about their businesses with honesty and integrity, and avoid greed.

President of The Leader Team Champions, Kris Denbesten, gave the charge during the 2025 SHINE Conference in Abuja. In a statement in Lokoja, yesterday, signed by Programmes Manager, Omachoko Arome, the president said: “The conference was aimed at inspiring the participants to embody these principles through service, integrity, continuous growth, and impactful relationships rooted in reverence for God.” According to the statement, the event challenged attendees to embrace purpose-driven leadership and take decisive steps today towards building sustainable and impactful businesses.

Delivering a session on “Purposeful Leadership,” DenBesten emphasised that true business success goes beyond profit and is defined by impact and integrity.

On the organisation’s impact in the country, Executive Director of The Leader Team, Shiloh Karshima, disclosed: “We have trained and supported 74 businesses in Nigeria who are now committed to leading with integrity, and creating sustainable living wages so everyone can live well and lead well.”