Representative Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts and Founder of the Children of Africa Leadership Development Initiative (CALDEV), has reaffirmed his commitment to nurturing the next generation of African leaders, declaring that leaders are “more made than born.”
He made the remarks during an interview at the 2025 National Children Leadership Conference (NCLC) in Abuja, where more than 400 young participants from across the continent gathered for a five-day leadership and digital-skills programme.
Salam said the conference, now in its fourth edition, was conceived to address gaps in Africa’s leadership grooming structures.
According to him, “Nigeria’s leadership recruitment system lacks deliberate frameworks for preparing young people for civic responsibility, a void I believe CALDEV and the NCLC are working to fill.”
He explained that the initiative, founded in 2015, provides mentorship, practical exposure, and capacity-building opportunities for teenagers destined to take up leadership roles in politics, business, and community development.
Responding to claims that young people are not ready for leadership, Salam argued that such assertions are unfounded. He said young people should not be dismissed when they have not been given platforms that allow for critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving, adding that the performance of participants at the conference demonstrates their readiness.
Salam also noted that the programme promotes national unity by bringing together children from affluent families, low-income households, internally displaced persons’ camps, and communities of children living with disabilities.
He said the diversity among participants encourages tolerance and strengthens social harmony across religious and ethnic lines.
Barrister Akintayo Jimoh, one of the Board of Trustees, said the visible transformation in participants from previous editions underscores the impact of the programme.
He described the event as the only gathering in the country that consistently celebrates Universal Children’s Day and said this year’s return of delegates from different states and African countries reinforces the commitment of organisers to expand the initiative.
As the 2025 National Children Leadership Conference entered its second day, young representatives from across the country shared their expectations, experiences, and visions for change.
Among this year’s participants is the member representing Shanni Constituency, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, and the Incumbent Deputy Speaker of Borno State Children’s Parliament, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Umar
Speaking confidently about the opportunities the conference presents, Umar highlighted hopes of touring the National Assembly, engaging with federal representatives, and building meaningful networks with children from all parts of Nigeria.
“I want to become more socially responsible and digitally smart,” he explained, adding that representing their state as an ambassador remains an important personal goal.
He expressed a commitment not only to learning but also to ensuring the impact is felt beyond the conference venue.
“When I return to my state, I plan to share what I learned with other children and raise a motion at the State Children’s Parliament to present a comprehensive report of the conference,” he said.
Another major voice at the event was the Speaker of the Nigerian Children’s Parliament, Hon. Progress Friday Umoh, who underscored the weight of responsibility carried by the office.
Representing millions of Nigerian children, Progress emphasized the need for young people to use their voices to push for meaningful change.
“When a room is silent, your voice can be as loud as a speaker.
“Children must amplify each other’s voices and refuse to let others define their potential,” the Speaker remarked.
She further noted that the challenges faced by Nigerian children from education to safety to social inclusion remain central to the parliament’s advocacy efforts.
“Through engagement with policymakers, NGOs and international agencies, the Children’s Parliament continues to push for policies that address these systemic issues,” she said.
The 2025 conference, themed “The Role of Children in Nation Building: Digitally Smart, Socially Responsible,” featured a series of interactive sessions, including lectures from young high achievers, breakout classes on artificial intelligence, video editing, graphic design and Microsoft Office, as well as discussions on digital ethics, self-development and community problem-solving.
Participants were encouraged to return to their communities and apply the knowledge gained to drive positive change.
As the conference continues, both organisers and participants maintain that the future of Africa’s leadership lies in equipping children to be digitally smart, socially responsible and confident in using their voices to shape society.
