Mentorship Session with Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila

In a rare opportunity for emerging leaders, Cohort 3 fellows spent an afternoon in candid conversation with Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, reflecting on his decades of legislative service and leadership lessons.

Session Format

Unlike formal lectures, this session used a “fireside chat” format. Fellows submitted questions in advance, and the conversation flowed organically across topics:

Leadership Philosophy

Gbajabiamila emphasized character over charisma:

“Leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about being the most prepared, the most principled, and the most persistent.”

He shared personal stories of difficult decisions during his speakership, including moments when he had to choose between political expediency and constitutional principle.

Legislative Strategy

Fellows gained insights into:

• Building coalitions across party lines
• Managing legislative time and priorities
• Working with the executive branch while maintaining independence
• Handling constituent expectations

Career Advice

For fellows considering legislative careers:

“Start where you are. Local government, state assembly—there’s no shame in starting small. What matters is what you do with the opportunity you’re given.”

Interactive Elements

The session included:

• Case study discussion: Fellows analyzed a real legislative dilemma
• Role play: Two fellows practiced lobbying the Speaker on a mock bill
• One-on-one moments: Each fellow had a brief personal exchange

Lasting Impact

Several fellows described the session as transformative:

“Hearing him speak about the loneliness of leadership—the moments when you have to stand alone—gave me a more realistic picture of what I’m aspiring to.” — Cohort 3 Fellow

The session reinforced the LMI philosophy that mentorship is not just about skills transfer; it’s about character formation and values clarification.