Private Sector Promotes Ethical Leadership Among Young Nigerians
The private sector is increasingly dedicated to fostering ethical leadership and responsible citizenship among young Nigerians. This initiative prioritizes the integration of values such as integrity, accountability, and social responsibility into the education system. The commitment was prominently displayed during the grand finale of the 2026 Ethical Living Initiative Competition held in Lagos.
This competition is a youth-centered program organized by the African Capital Alliance (ACA) Foundation in collaboration with Enactus Nigeria. Over six weeks, the initiative engaged students from 40 secondary schools in Lagos through ethics workshops and mentoring sessions, designed to cultivate leadership skills and a solid ethical foundation.
Organizers reported that more than 80 facilitators conducted a total of 240 workshops, all aimed at empowering students with practical skills and ethical awareness. The competition also included an essay challenge, encouraging participants to reflect on their roles in building a more equitable and just society.
At the event, Lillian Ama-Aluko, co-founder and director of Tribe Nation Theater Distribution, urged the students to remain steadfast in their values despite societal pressures. Emphasizing the distinction between knowing right from wrong and consistently acting on that knowledge, she encouraged students to resist the lure of compromising their principles for immediate rewards.
Drawing insights from her experience in the entertainment industry, Ama-Aluko shared a promise she made to her father to uphold her family’s integrity. She suggested that while choosing the easier path may yield faster success, true achievement founded on integrity is lasting. “In a world that can be confusing, noisy, and uncertain, your values are your compass,” she remarked.
This initiative is part of ACA Foundation’s broader mission to promote entrepreneurship, good governance, and ethical leadership within the communities served by its investment groups. Organizers aim to establish ethical living clubs in schools nationwide, ensuring that the teachings from this initiative extend beyond the annual conference.
Michael Ajayi, Country Director of Enactus Nigeria, described the project as a crucial investment in the future of Nigeria, emphasizing its goal of cultivating a generation grounded in ethics, discipline, and accountability. “You are the hope we have in rebuilding our beloved country and restoring its lost values,” he told the students, highlighting the initiative’s intent to enhance ethical awareness and empower young individuals to create societal change.
Ajayi also observed significant growth in the initiative since its inception, noting its expansion from a pilot program to encompass all six school districts in Lagos State. He underscored that the project involves not just an investment of resources but also a deep faith in the ability of young Nigerians to instigate positive transformation.
Abisola Dokunmu Adegbite, Deputy Director-General of the Lagos State Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, echoed the importance of ethical education in fostering a prosperous, inclusive society. She praised the collaboration between public and private sectors and urged students to apply the values gained through the program in various aspects of their lives, emphasizing that responsible leadership is critical for Nigeria’s long-term progress.
During the finale, organizers recognized outstanding participants and schools, reaffirming their commitment to expanding the initiative. This event marks a significant step toward cultivating a new generation of ethical and socially responsible leaders in Nigeria.
