Rotary International District 9112 has officially flagged off the 2026 edition of its flagship Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (Sea School) on Snake Island, Apapa.

The intensive eight-day residential boot camp brings together over 500 participants aged 14 to 25 years from Lagos and Ogun states under the theme, “Today’s Innovators, Tomorrow’s Leaders.”

To support the boot camp, the Rotary Club of Lagos simultaneously commissioned a major infrastructure intervention, upgrading the Sea School’s hostel sanitary facilities.

The club, in partnership with Nairda Limited and the Rotary Club of Banana Island, also mobilised over N10 million in total support to restore plumbing, lighting, doors, and tiling, ensuring a safe, dignified environment for the young attendees.

The Sea School Director, Abiodun Tina Jemisaiye, emphasised that leadership requires physical endurance, mental toughness, and strict self-discipline.

She said that the camp’s regimented routines and calculated physical challenges were deliberately designed to build resilience and character.

District Governor Layi Abidoye, while delivering the principal keynote address, reaffirmed Rotary’s commitment to youths’ empowerment as a driver for sustainable national development.

“Building future leaders requires deliberate, structured investment. RYLA equips our young people not only with technical tools, but also with the moral compass, discipline, and character necessary to lead ethically,” Abidoye stated.

Similarly, RYLA Committee Chairman, Richard Edi, highlighted an expanded curriculum featuring youths’ protection, mental health counselling, vocational skills, personal branding, and emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).

However, a major highlight of the opening ceremony was an interactive masterclass by creative entrepreneur and iconic comedian Atunyota Alleluia Akpobome (Ali Baba), who urged participants to build sustainable enterprises.

“Talent without structure and discipline remains unfulfilled potential. Build a personal brand anchored on integrity and real value,” Ali Baba said.

Meanwhile, District Public Image Chairman, Chinedu Ebo, noted that the facility upgrades directly support Rotary’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) goals while supporting the Sea School’s citizenship mandate.

The academy will conclude with a grand passing-out parade and awards ceremony celebrating outstanding leadership and group innovations.