Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has reaffirmed the transformative vision of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), describing it as a platform that builds a community of leaders committed to public service across Africa.

Speaking at the inauguration of LMI’s fourth cohort in Abuja, Gbajabiamila highlighted the program’s remarkable growth since its inception in 2022. What began as a Nigerian initiative has now evolved into a continental model for legislative mentorship, in partnership with the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL), led by Secretary-General Ambassador Dapo Oyewole.

“Leadership is a conscious act of service and a deliberate choice to rise above self and give meaning to the lives of others,” Gbajabiamila said, emphasizing the program’s commitment to nurturing ethical, empathetic, and visionary leaders.

He noted that LMI alumni have already made significant contributions across state legislatures, the National Assembly, and civil society organizations, demonstrating the program’s far-reaching impact. The initiative now aims to extend its reach across Africa, enabling parliaments to nominate outstanding young leaders to participate in the fellowship.

In recognition of exceptional alumni, Gbajabiamila also announced the Oluwadamilola Agbaje Outstanding Fellow Award, honoring those who exemplify integrity and excellence in public service.

Ambassador Oyewole commended the initiative, stating, “LMI has become one of Africa’s most respected leadership development programs. Under CoSPAL, it will serve as a pan-African academy, institutionalizing mentorship across parliaments and strengthening intergenerational leadership pipelines.”

Ms. Solape Sonuga, Director of the LMI, expressed gratitude to the founder and CoSPAL for the renewed vision of the program, describing it as “a convergence of shared purpose and intergenerational collaboration.” She noted that from over 7,000 applications, only 50 exceptional young Nigerians were selected for this cohort, emphasizing that the fellowship represents not just personal growth, but a collective responsibility to redefine leadership across the continent.

With its focus on mentorship, collaboration, and capacity-building, the Legislative Mentorship Initiative is poised to shape a generation of leaders ready to uphold democratic values and drive public sector excellence across Africa.