Sanwo-Olu Urges Youths to Seize Opportunities in place of Complaints

…says success comes through purpose, perseverance, and personal development

 Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has called on Nigerian youths to shift their mindset to identifying and maximizing the numerous opportunities around them, stressing that true success lies in focus, resilience, and purposeful living, rather than shortcuts or entitlement.

The Governor gave the charge during an interactive session with “Class of 2025 Scholars” of the Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF), who visited the Lagos House, Ikeja, led by the Foundation’s Vice Chairman, Dr. Ifeoma Nwokorie.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Sanwo-Olu advised the scholars to be intentional about their growth, urging them to think beyond limitations and focus on how they can contribute meaningfully to society.

“Start building your mind. Success is about focusing on the right things, persevering, and understanding there’s no shortcut to success,” he said. “Be passionate about your dreams and acquire knowledge that will be useful to your growth and development.”

Seated from left: Deputy Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Samuel Egube; Vice Chairman, Nigeria Higher Education Foundation (NHEF), Dr. Ifeoma Nwokorie; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Executive Director of NHEF, Mrs. Claire Jemide and a board member of the Foundation, Dr. (Mrs) Femi Pitan with the NHEF ‘Class 2025 Scholars’ during the foundation’s visit at the Lagos House, Ikeja, on Tuesday.

He also emphasized the value of mentorship, noting that learning from others’ experiences helps shape clearer life paths and informed decisions. According to him, a proactive mindset that seeks solutions and creates value is what Nigeria needs from its young population.

“We cannot be a nation of complainants,” the Governor warned. “We must be a people who recognize and act on opportunities for our own good and for the benefit of society.”

In her remarks, NHEF Vice Chairman, Dr. Ifeoma Nwokorie, said the scholars’ visit was designed to gain firsthand understanding of governance, leadership, and public service. She praised Lagos State’s youth-centered initiatives, including the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, for aligning with the Foundation’s vision of nurturing future leaders.

“Since its establishment in 2004 by the John D. and Kathy T. MacArthur Foundation, the NHEF has remained committed to supporting higher education as a driver of national development,” Nwokorie said. 

She lauded the Lagos State Government for consistently demonstrating leadership in youth empowerment and inclusive governance.

The session ended with a call to action for the scholars to remain focused, engage positively with their environment, and aspire to become impactful leaders in their chosen fields.