Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy Application

Summary of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy Application Webinar

The webinar explains the purpose of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy and provides practical guidance for applicants, along with insights from alumni/past fellows about applying and progressing through the selection stages.

Why the Academy exists / leadership philosophy

• The academy honors Lateef Jakande, remembered for transformative service as Lagos State’s first executive governor, and aims to preserve his legacy through leadership development.
• The Lagos governor is described as treating young people as assets, with an emphasis that leaders for tomorrow must begin training and practicing today.
• The academy’s philosophy is practical and embedded in real government work, not classroom theory. Fellows are placed within systems quickly to learn through:
  • action,
  • exposure,
  • responsibility,
  • and accountability.
• A core leadership message: fellows learn to take initiative even without formal authority, solve problems in real public-sector contexts, understand stakeholder interests, and shift mindsets toward public impact.

Fellowship structure and how it shapes public-sector leaders

Panelists described the academy as transformative rather than “just training,” highlighting pillars such as:

• leadership seminars/curriculum,
• MDA (Ministry/Department/Agency) postings,
• community projects,
• and other policy/governance engagements.

This is said to shift fellows from thinking only about “their profession/job” to understanding how their skills serve the whole system and the public.

Selection process: what to expect + how to prepare

The webinar broke the selection process into stages and offered preparation tips.

1) Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Applicants were told the CBT assesses more than knowledge:

• logical thinking,
• general knowledge/current affairs,
• aptitude/reasoning,
• situational judgment (how you think under pressure).

Key preparation advice

• Treat it seriously—it acts as a real filter for many applicants.
• Brush up on Lagos and Nigeria governance/current affairs.
• Manage time strictly:
  • don’t get stuck,
  • skip and return later if needed.
• Practice similar questions in advance and simulate test pressure.
• For technical readiness:
  • test devices/platforms earlier to reduce disqualification or preventable errors.
• If remote/proctored:
  • expect camera monitoring and follow proctoring rules.
• Avoid last-minute studying; rest well the day before.

Recent fellow experience (shared by a speaker)

• One speaker’s first attempt failed partly due to:
  • not recognizing their weaknesses (notably quantitative reasoning),
  • technical/network disruption during the test.
• Their improvement came from identifying weaknesses early and practicing heavily, leading to greater familiarity and faster solving.

2) Essay stage (where applicable)

• Essay questions test intelligence and the ability to structure thought.
• Strong responses should show originality and evidence of reading/independent thinking.
• AI use and plagiarism are not allowed.
• Emphasis was placed on excellence, clarity, and strong organization (including “hooks” to keep the reader engaged).

3) Leadership Evaluation / Interview (LE)

• Questions are largely case-scenario based, assessing past behavior to predict future approach.
• Applicants were advised not to chase “perfect answers,” but to show practical reasoning and how they handle real situations.
• Guidance included:
  • research the academy,
  • prepare how you would respond to provided case studies,
  • show your lived experience.
• For top candidates, panelists highlighted:
  • confidence and composure,
  • strong preparation (including corporate presentation),
  • avoiding memorized/over-rehearsed “cram” responses,
  • telling your story clearly and specifically.

4) Video documentary stage

• The video is meant to “sell yourself,” while this stage also verifies clarity, purpose, authenticity, and potential.

Storytelling guidance

• Be specific; avoid generic statements.
• Share concrete moments:
  • actions taken,
  • skills/experience you brought,
  • and where you’re going next.
• Don’t read your CV—use the video to add what the CV doesn’t.
• Maintain eye contact and deliver with energy and conviction.
• Authenticity matters more than high-cost production.

Quick-fire application advice (cross-stage)

Panelists repeatedly emphasized:

• Authenticity: be honest about strengths and gaps; don’t exaggerate.
• Show leadership through evidence:
  • initiative,
  • ownership,
  • problem-solving,
  • avoid focusing only on titles.
• Structure responses:
  • lead with the main point and back it up.
• Use a public-sector lens:
  • systems,
  • impact,
  • policy implementation relevance.
• Show measurable impact:
  • numbers,
  • reach,
  • outcomes—what changed because you acted.
• Avoid vagueness:
  • replace “I’m passionate/hardworking” with specific actions and results.
• In essays/videos/interviews, focus on systems and public benefit—not only personal achievement.

Live Q&A highlights (clarifications)

• Eligibility/target applicants: not limited to Lagos residents or only civil servants—any Nigerian can apply; both civil servants and non-civil servants are eligible.
• References: for Lagos State civil servants, applicants provide referee details (e.g., Head of Department and Accounting Officer/PS). Actual reference letters may not be required at the initial form stage.
• Application completion: applicants were urged to register and submit. The webinar stressed that the gap between registered and submitted candidates is large, and only submitted applications move fairly forward.
• Work leave/timing: respondents indicated selected applicants would receive a notice period for corporate/civil service scheduling.
• Past CBT questions: guidance was to rely on official channels/social media and FAQs rather than unauthorised past questions.
• Impact statement mismatch: impact does not have to match your current job field exactly, as long as it is public-sector/social impact and is framed convincingly.

Closing messages

• Academy leadership and staff reminded prospective fellows about confidence, showing up well, and excellence across stages.

• Follow-up information would be shared via:

  • chat box,
  • academy social media pages,
  • and WhatsApp channels/group chat, including clarifications on misinformation about eligibility and application requirements.

• A vote of thanks closed the session, with an invitation to attend the next event day: Wednesday (LLS).

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Presenters / contributors

• Moderator: Mr. Orua
• Academy President (Alumni Association President): Mrs. Palug Mupu
• Executive Secretary of the Academy (mentioned): Mrs. Aishhat Abaji

Panelist / Speakers

• Miss Evelyn Aisha
• Mr. Michael Shiaim
• Rammon S Aabi (current fellow)
• Mr. Toby Adikoya
• Mr. S (speaker; CBT/LE/video guidance participant)
• Mr. Charles (vote of thanks speaker)

Academy staff mentioned/attending

• Mrs. Tamber Aki
• Recruitment/Alumni Relations Officer (name not clearly stated in subtitles)

Additional contributor mentioned in closing/QA

• “Mr. Matthew” (hand raised; asked a question about work leave; speaker identity not fully clear in subtitles)