By Daniel Peters
The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has assured Alumni Fellowship of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) of support them in its quest to equip young Nigerians with the necessary competence to take up public sector leadership.
Olaopa stated this when he received the Alumni Association of the LMI team led by its President, Arc. Tijani A. Garba, in Abuja.
The FCSC boss said because he has a deep passion for public policy and governance, he set up “Ibadan School of Governance and Public Policy (ISGPP)” in 2016 after his retirement in 2015 as a development-oriented institution for public policy.
Joined at the event were his SA Technical, Mr. Chike Ogbechie, SA Strategic Communications, Dr. Paul Onomuakpokpo and SA Admin. Mr. Samuel Abalaka, he informed the gathering that one of the flagship programmes he established at ISGPP was “Intergenerational dialogue and creating events for youth leadership development”.
Olaopa noted that it was “a grand vision and initiative designed to groom a new generation of young Nigerians for public service sector leaderships through systematic exposure to the knowledge, skills and guided experience for leadership roles in the country.
The Chairman commended the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila for what he described as his visionary leadership and also, having the foresight to initiate and found the LMI- a beneficial platform to prepare young Nigerians adequately with the competence and experience for public service.
Olaopa stated that Nigerian leaders should emulate what former Speaker has done through LMI saying that he was very proud of playing a role in the institution’s training seminars and mentorship events.
He stated that, “if our significant leaders can give back to the society as demonstrated by the Hon, Femi Gbajabiamila, the country will be better for it.”
He said these efforts by the Former Speaker deserved commendation of all Nigerians; adding that this is how one’s resources and goodwill should be invested.
Olaopa said because of his intergenerational shared passion, elite must enter into a productive conversation with the vision of the youth in the country; saying that the Nigerian youth constitute a template for dynamism of the national project as it touches on some of our national questions which include ethno regional and religion unresolved issues.
He praised LMI for its book reading event, choice of theme for policy dialogue and the curriculum of the future, which he said gave education a pivotal role in youth development in the country.
According to Olaopa, “Nigeria cannot talk about the future of the youth when it was not premised on education.”
As he eulogized the LMI Alumni team for keeping the mandates of the LMI initiative alive, also appreciated the delegation for what they are doing at the LMI and thanked them for the courtesy call.
Speaking earlier, the LMI Alumni President, Arc. Tijani A. Garba congratulated Hon. Chairman for his appointment and receiving them.
He said the aim of their visit was to intimate Prof. Olaopa on LMI activities and progress made so far; and to meaningfully engage with LMI mentors and tutors like Prof. Olaopa, who have impacted their lives in the discharge of their affairs.
He informed the Chairman that as the first Alumni body inaugurated in December 2024, LMI has linedup various events for the year, which includes: the birthday of LMI founder to celebrate Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila’s birthday and also, LMI virtual event in September 2025 which is being organized around the theme of the UN General Assembly.
The President used the visit to invite the Hon. Chairman to the LMI’s 4th Cohort event coming up on the 16th December 2025 to support “Alumni Book” launch, and also, review and publish it.
