Ayisat Olabimpe Agbaje-Okunade is the Executive Secretary, Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA). With a degree in law and a postgraduate degree in International Relations and Democratic Politics from the University of Westminster, her career started as a legal and administrative assistant at Kimberly Wayne and Diamond Solicitors in London 2014. In Nigeria, she has served as Senior Special Assistant for Development Partnerships and Economic Planning to the Governor of Lagos State and Special Assistant to the Former Governor of Kaduna State. An author, researcher and philanthropist, she speaks in this interview on her unwavering dedication to social change and community empowerment.

Take us a bit through your career journey and what inspired you to pursue a career in public service?
My journey in public service began about six years ago in Kaduna, where I served as a Special Assistant to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and an alumnus of the Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship. Prior to this, I had built a career within the development sector in the United Kingdom, working with the International Citizen Service. I also worked as a peer educator in Tanzania with the Restless Development NGO, contributing to grassroots development initiatives. Service has always been at the heart of my career. Even before formally stepping into public service, I was deeply engaged in development work, both professionally and as a volunteer. I have always believed that meaningful change goes beyond advocacy; it requires active participation. My academic background also played a crucial role in shaping my path. I hold a law degree and a postgraduate degree in International Relations and Democratic Politics from the University of Westminster. These, combined with my professional experiences, strengthened my conviction that sustainable change happens from within. Public service has always been a calling, a natural extension of my purpose and destiny and every step of my career has been aligned with the goal of service. I also had the privilege of serving in Lagos as the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Development Partnerships and Economic Planning. Today, I am honoured to lead the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, where my mission is to nurture and empower the next generation of transformative leaders in Nigeria.

As Executive Secretary, how do you balance this role with other responsibilities and passions?
When work aligns with one’s purpose, it ceases to feel like a burden and becomes a fulfilling mission. However, purposeful engagement also requires discipline in balancing responsibilities and I have had to develop an acute awareness of when to pause and recharge.

Leading the Academy is a reflection of my larger vision of shaping future leaders. This aligns seamlessly with my lifelong commitment to service and equity. The disparities in society have always fueled my drive to contribute meaningfully, whether in public service, development work, or personal initiatives. In addition to my role at the Academy, I remain involved in philanthropic efforts. One of my core initiatives, the Ayisat Agbaje Initiative (AAI), focuses on fostering social integration among orphans and vulnerable children across Nigeria. Even while living abroad, I returned home frequently to lead outreach programmes and despite my current professional demands, I still carve out time to support causes that align with my values. I am intentional about ensuring that every effort I invest contributes meaningfully to my overarching mission of uplifting others and advancing humanity.

How can we address the systemic inequalities that hinder social change and community empowerment in Nigeria?
Unlike certain political or leadership issues with clear solutions, inequality does not have a singular fix. It is deeply entrenched in our society, manifesting in different ways. The gap of impunity in Nigeria is vast, and bridging it requires a deliberate, step-by-step approach. Achieving meaningful equality is not an overnight process; it demands a fundamental shift in mindsets, policies, governance and societal values. Economic empowerment is a critical starting point. One of the most immediate ways to address inequality is by improving economic conditions, beginning with fair wages. Another pressing issue is the eradication of child labour. True equality must start at home, ensuring that children, regardless of background, have access to quality education and the opportunity to build a better future. When we invest in the next generation, we lay the foundation for long-term social change.

Legal reform is equally essential. Our legal system still harbours outdated and regressive laws that perpetuate inequality. For example, in some parts of Nigeria, the penal code permits a man to physically discipline a woman for the purpose of correction. Sentencing disparities also exist, where the assault of a man is considered a felony and attracts a penalty of up to three years of imprisonment, while the assault of a woman is treated as a misdemeanor, carrying a penalty of two years’ imprisonment. These laws reflect deep-seated gender inequalities that must be confronted and reformed. However, there has been progress. At some point in Nigeria, only 18 rape convictions were recorded in the country, but with the intervention of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) and other organisations, we are witnessing a shift in how gender-based violence is addressed. Ultimately, tackling systemic inequalities requires a combination of policy reforms, economic restructuring, cultural reorientation and legal advancements. It is a long road, but with sustained and intentional efforts, we can begin to close the gaps that hinder social change and community empowerment.

What role do you believe leadership development programmes like LJLA play in driving social change in Nigeria?
Leadership development programmes serve as catalysts for social change by equipping young leaders with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to drive sustainable transformation. My own journey is a testament to the life-changing impact of such programmes. Lacking readily available mentorship or guidance, I sought opportunities to grow, beginning my leadership and volunteerism journey at 16. Programmes like these didn’t just shape my career, they shaped my life. One of my earliest formative experiences was with The Prince’s Trust (now The King’s Trust), which exposed me to structured mentorship, professional development and invaluable leadership training. I was introduced to a world of possibilities, receiving access to funding, education, and networks that would later define my trajectory. This experience mirrors what we do at LJLA, providing young leaders with clarity, exposure and structured learning to develop their leadership capacity. At 25, I became a fellow of the Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship, modeled after global leadership development programmes. Now, as the lead for LJLA under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, I am privileged to contribute to an initiative that is actively shaping the future of leadership in Nigeria. LJLA’s impact is measurable and far-reaching. Since inception, the Academy has incubated over 60 young leaders and with the launch of our next cohorts, that number will rise to nearly 90. These fellows graduate with an enriched understanding of leadership, not only knowing what kind of leader they aspire to be but also understanding the leadership pitfalls they must avoid. I often tell them: “By the end of this programme, you will have witnessed leadership in all its forms—the good, the bad, and the transformative. You will study history, observe the present, and be equipped to shape the future.” The real impact of programmes like LJLA lies in their ripple effect. Our alumni are already implementing transformational projects. One cohort successfully rebuilt and fully digitalised the Isheri Ikosi Primary Health Care Centre, installing solar power systems and revitalising the facility through community-driven fundraising. Another launched the Eko Laws App, a legal resource platform that simplifies Lagos State laws, making them more accessible to the public.

These initiatives demonstrate how structured leadership programs can translate learning into tangible societal impact. Ultimately, I firmly believe that within LJLA, we are nurturing future governors, policymakers and changemakers. The compounded impact of equipping young leaders with rigorous mentorship, leadership incubation, and ethical grounding is immeasurable.

You give a lot of yourself and time to others; how do you prioritise your own personal time and growth and what practices do you find most helpful?
I firmly believe that I am not an island, and despite the work I do, there is still so much to learn. One way I ensure my personal growth is by actively participating in the same learning experiences as our fellows. Whether it’s mentorship sessions, leadership programmes like those at Lagos Business School or the Fireside Chats, I make sure to sit in as well. These moments allow me recharge and realign myself.

Public service is a slippery slope. Without accountability partners to help you stay grounded, it’s easy to lose yourself. I am constantly refining my standards, values and beliefs about leadership and success. I also rely heavily on accountability partners who keep me in check and remind me of my purpose.

Tell us some challenges you have faced in your career and how you overcame?
There have been many but two stand out, being young and being female. Being young in my field is both a challenge and a blessing. I don’t necessarily see it as an obstacle, but rather as something shaped by how you respond to it. Problems only become as big or as small as our reaction to them. I entered public service at 25, and in a field where experience is often equated with age, I’ve encountered situations where people have looked down on me simply because I’m younger. Coming from a culture where age and hierarchy matter, I’ve learned to give people their due respect without compromising my own authority. The key to navigating any form of disrespect has been maintaining a clear distinction between facts and sentiments. The fact is, I have a role to play. I am here for a purpose. I am a leader, a colleague, a decision-maker. Everything outside of that is sentiment. By removing emotion from the equation and focusing solely on the job at hand, I take control of the narrative.

Of course, this requires a level of skill and experience, and I’ve had to sharpen both to ensure I don’t allow others’ lack of respect to derail my work. Then, there’s the challenge of being a woman in a space that isn’t always welcoming to female leaders. The stereotypes, the biases, the segregation — they all exist. But I have never allowed those labels define me. If someone chooses to stereotype me, that’s their burden, not mine. I refuse to back down, and I refuse to be sidelined. I show up, I deliver, and I remain present.

What message do you hope to convey to young Nigerians through your work and legacy?
Hope. Hope is not a distant concept, it is within our grasp, and we have the power to redefine it through our actions. While meaningful change often requires collective effort, it starts with one person. Nigeria’s future lies in our hands. We cannot afford to make excuses or surrender to despair because the road ahead seems uncertain. The challenges we face are not invitations to complacency or wrongdoing, they are calls to rise, to be better, and to work relentlessly toward a greater cause. Each of us carries a responsibility beyond ourselves. Someone’s destiny is tied to ours, and if we have been given the grace and opportunity to open doors for others, we must embrace it wholeheartedly. I often reflect on a quote by George Bernard Shaw: “I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.” The future belongs to us, and it is our responsibility to shape it.