To inspire the next generation of female leaders, members of Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN), in partnership with Union Bank, recently held the 22nd edition of the Leadership, Empowerment, Achievement, and Development (LEAD) Camp for girls.

The three-day camp ran from July 24 to 26, 2023 and featured interactive workshops, panel sessions and skill-building activities.

In her speech, Executive Director of Junior Achievement Nigeria, Foluso Gbadamosi said: “The 2023 LEAD Camp proved to be another transformative experience for over 400 young minds nationwide.

”Over three days, we nurtured the courage of these young girls, instilled essential leadership skills, expanded their networks, and, most importantly, showed them that no career path is gender-specific or irrelevant. We are confident that the positive impact of the LEAD Camp programme will resonate for years to come, producing change-makers ready to shape the future of Nigeria and the world.”

Speaking further, Gbadamosi added, “our commitment to expanding and strengthening the JAN LEAD Camp programme across the country remains unwavering, as we aim to impact even more young girls. We express our deep gratitude to Union Bank for their consistent support, which has made the LEAD Camp vision a reality. Together, we empower the next generation of leaders to create a brighter, more inclusive future for all.”

Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Union Bank, Olufunmilola Aluko, said: “This is the ninth year of partnership with JAN on LEAD Camp, and we have impacted thousands of girls in these nine years. Through LEAD Camp, Union Bank continues to empower young women to be high-achieving leaders well-prepared for the future of work and entrepreneurship. Glass ceilings are easier to shatter when we know people are supporting us, and the girls who participate in the LEAD Camp program benefit from exposure to phenomenal Nigerian women. This partnership aligns with our commitment to enabling success for women and girls, as is our contribution to supporting Nigeria to achieve SDG Goal 5 on Gender Equality.”

Sharing her experience, Chiamaka Moses from Topfield Secondary Schools recalled, “I learned about emotional intelligence and self-awareness, working with others, managing my temper, and what triggers my emotions. I was also made aware that etiquette is a soft skill rather than a personality trait and that there is a need to improve soft skills.”

Some of the schools that participated are: Seed of Life College, Oyo; Topfield College, Lagos; Redeemer’s International Secondary School, Lagos; Queens School, Enugu; Kano Capital Girls School; Hope High Academy Zawan, Plateau; Rosa Mystical High School Agulu, Anambra; Faith Baptist College, Rivers; and Bedrock International School, Mararaba.

Other schools include: Community Secondary School Asokoro, FCT; Taidob College, Ogun, Baptist Girls College, Ogun; Merit International School, Ondo; Faith Academy, Kaduna; Christian Secondary Commercial School, Akwa-Ibom and Adiahaobong Secondary Commercial School, Akwa-Ibom.

Notable speakers include: Simi Nwogugu, Morenike Molehin, Solape Akinpelu, Vivian Imoh-Ita, Vanessa Ojekwe, Olande Adekunle, Gbonjubola Abiri, Jennifer Ikechiuku, Koromone, and others.

The Camp took place in Federal Capital Territory, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau and Rivers states.