The work, up close.
Programmes, dialogues and drives across Lagos State, built around one idea: give people, especially young people, a way in.
Changing the Narratives.
From 2020 to 2024, Olalekan chaired the National Youth Council of Nigeria in Lagos. The agenda was called Changing the Narratives.
It set out to reposition youth leadership, strengthen the Council as an institution and open more places for young people in governance and development.
Drug Abuse Preventive Advocacy.
A state advocacy campaign that began with a launch at Alausa and went on to reach schools across Lagos State.
The aim was to start the conversation about drug abuse early, and keep it honest.
Police Youth Dialogue.
A platform that puts young people and the police in the same room to talk.
Dialogue does not fix everything. It does replace rumour with conversation, and gives each side a face to put to the other.
Forward Lagos.
Olalekan convenes Forward Lagos, a civic movement that gives everyone who believes in the city meaningful ways to take part. Residents, the diaspora, professionals, students and creators get a structured way to move from conversation to participation.
It runs on four values: shared responsibility, meaningful participation, informed engagement and long-term thinking. Lagosians can share their priorities through the Pulse, sign the pledge and follow how commitments made to the city are kept.
The idea behind it is his own: change is a system, not an event.
More from the field.
Mental health and social impact.
He has worked on mental health stigma awareness, talking plainly about mental health so more people feel able to ask for help.
His social development work has also included the SaveOne Future Initiative and the Lagos State Social Impacts Exchange.
