Lagos Schools Get Ethics Program From Private Sector

More than 80 facilitators delivered 240 ethics workshops to students across Lagos over six weeks, teaching practical leadership skills rooted in integrity and accountability.

The African Capital Alliance Foundation partnered with Enactus Nigeria to launch the 2026 Ethical Living Initiative Competition, bringing together 40 secondary schools for workshops and an essay contest. Students reflected on their role in building a fairer society while learning from mentors in business and entertainment.

Lillian Amah-Aluko, co-founder of Tribe Nation Theatrical Distribution, shared her personal journey with students at the program's finale. She told them about a promise she made to her father that shaped her entire career in entertainment.

"Knowing what is right and choosing to do what is right consistently are two different things," she said. She encouraged students to resist compromising their values for quick wins, explaining that her commitment to integrity guided her even when easier paths appeared.

The program expanded from a small pilot to cover all six education districts in Lagos State. Organizers plan to establish permanent Ethical Living Clubs in schools nationwide to sustain the lessons beyond the annual competition.

Michael Ajayi, country director of Enactus Nigeria, called the initiative an investment in the nation's future. "You are the hope we have in rebuilding our dear nation and restoring our lost values," he told participating students.

The Ripple Effect

Lagos State's education ministry sees this public-private partnership as essential to long-term development. Permanent Secretary Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite urged students to carry these values into their homes and communities, noting that ethical leadership will shape Nigeria's future.

The foundation rewarded outstanding participants and schools while promising to expand the program further. What started as workshops for a few schools now represents a growing movement to develop socially responsible leaders across Nigeria's most populous state.

Students left with more than certificates—they gained mentors, practical tools, and a network of peers committed to integrity in a world that often rewards shortcuts.