Inspiring Integrity and Purpose: ILERIS October 2025 Session with Dr. Umar Yakubu
Creating spaces where young people can engage meaningfully with ethical leadership remains central to CITAD’s youth development work. This commitment was evident during the October edition of the Inspiring Leadership Reflection Interactive Series (ILERIS), which featured Dr. Umar Yakubu, Executive Director of the Centre for Fiscal Transparency and Public Integrity, as the guest speaker.
Held on 9 October at the CITAD Abuja office, the session brought together young participants for an open and reflective conversation with a leader whose professional journey has been defined by integrity, accountability, and public service. The atmosphere was informal yet thoughtful, allowing participants to interact directly with a mentor whose experiences resonate strongly within Nigeria’s civic and governance landscape.
ILERIS is a flagship monthly initiative of the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) designed to inspire young people by connecting them with accomplished personalities across diverse sectors. Through candid conversations rather than formal lectures, the series enables leaders to share life lessons, values, and practical insights that young people can adapt in navigating their own personal and professional paths.
The October edition continued this tradition, joining a line-up of distinguished past speakers that includes Professor Attahiru Jega, Dr. Kole Shettima, and Ene Obi. Opening the session, CITAD’s Executive Director—represented by Yesmin Salako, Programme Officer at the Abuja office, welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of ILERIS as a platform for mentorship, reflection, and leadership development.
In his presentation, Dr. Umar Yakubu offered a deeply personal account of his life and career, choosing not to focus on titles or achievements alone. Instead, he spoke candidly about the challenges he encountered, the difficult choices he faced, and the values that guided him through moments of uncertainty. At the centre of his reflection was a consistent emphasis on integrity as a lived principle, not merely a professional requirement. Drawing from real-life examples in public policy and civic engagement, he demonstrated how ethical conduct shapes credibility, trust, and long-term impact.
The interactive question-and-answer session that followed allowed participants to probe further. Questions ranged from handling ethical dilemmas in the workplace to building a career in public policy while resisting compromise under pressure. Dr. Yakubu’s responses were frank and practical, encouraging young people to view integrity as both a personal responsibility and a strategic asset.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mal. Haruna Hadeija, Community Network Project Lead, who expressed appreciation for the speaker’s openness and commitment to youth mentorship. Participants later described the engagement as both inspiring and grounding, noting that it offered not just motivation, but clarity on the kind of leadership Nigeria needs.
Through ILERIS, CITAD continues to nurture a generation of young Nigerians who value ethics, resilience, and purpose. By amplifying voices like Dr. Umar Yakubu’s, the organisation is investing in leadership that is principled, reflective, and equipped to serve the public good.