Empowering change: Five NGOs receive N5m grants at Lagos summit

L-R: Founder/CEO, The Gemstone Group; Fela Durotoye; Founder of IMMERSE Coaching Company; Debola Deji-Kurunmi;
Executive Secretary, Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade; Founder of AAL&D, Akin Akinpelu PhD, at the concluded Roundtable discussion on “The Power of Aspiration and Action” on day 2 of the Lagos Leadership Summit 2025 hosted by the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy today in Lagos, Nigeria.

2025 Lagos Leadership Summit has recognized five non-profit organizations for their outstanding social impact, awarding each N5 million under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Award for Social Impact initiative.

The award, created to celebrate organisations driving measurable change at the grassroots, was presented to Inmates Educational Foundation, Boys Quarter Africa, Blossom Girls Outreach Foundation, Catering to Africans in Need, and Let it Shine Academy.

The Governor’s Award for Social Impact is an initiative of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA), designed to spotlight community-focused efforts addressing critical challenges in areas such as education, healthcare, gender equality, poverty alleviation, environmental sustainability, and youth development.

This year’s selection process featured a public nomination phase, encouraging the public to highlight changemakers in their communities across Lagos. From thousands of entries, ten finalists were shortlisted before five winners were selected and unveiled during the Lagos Leadership Summit.

The award builds on the success of its inaugural edition in 2024, which honoured two organisations, Chess in Slums and the Women in Leadership Advancement Network (WILAN)—both of which have continued to expand their impact within their communities.

Speaking during the award presentation, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu emphasised the importance of recognising and supporting grassroots leadership, “Leadership is not always about holding public office; it is about solving problems and serving people.

These recipients reflect the true essence of impact—quietly transforming lives and building stronger communities. Through this award, we reaffirm our commitment to amplifying those who are doing the hard work of nation-building from the ground up,” he said.

Executive Secretary of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy and convener of the Lagos Leadership Summit, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, speaking on the purpose of the initiative stated, “We launched the Governor’s Award for Social Impact to make a clear statement that young people and grassroots organisations have the power to lead meaningful change. By providing visibility and financial support, we’re not only rewarding impact, we’re encouraging it. Our goal is to build a culture where service, innovation, and social responsibility are valued and supported.”

Now in its second year, the Governor’s Award for Social Impact is steadily emerging as a credible and influential platform for discovering, honoring, and supporting grassroots innovation within Lagos and across Nigeria.

More than just a symbol of recognition, the award combines public visibility with tangible financial support, offering recipients the tools they need to deepen their impact, expand their reach, and scale their solutions effectively.

By championing community-led efforts, the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy is reinforcing a long-term commitment to empowering local changemakers who are solving real problems in real-time.

This initiative reflects a growing belief that sustainable progress begins at the grassroots, with individuals and organisations who understand their communities and are invested in their future.

As the award gains momentum, its purpose remains clear: to spotlight and strengthen those who are not only envisioning change but actively driving it.

With every edition, it continues to inspire a new generation of leaders to rise—equipped not just with ideas, but with the resources, recognition, and resolve to make a lasting difference.