Lagos Showcases Global Youth Excellence: Hosts The Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Awards

The Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, continues to demonstrate unwavering commitment to youth development, global collaboration, and diaspora engagement. In a landmark moment for international partnership, Lagos State recently hosted His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward Anthony Richard Louis, at the Nigerian Excellence Evening and Gold Award Presentation.

The ceremony celebrated young Lagosians who successfully completed the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (DofE), a globally recognised programme that equips young people with confidence, leadership skills, resilience, and a strong sense of community responsibility.

Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed deep pride in the awardees, noting that the Award represents a journey of character-building and personal growth. “Your dedication is a powerful testament to what determination, creativity, and a willingness to learn can achieve,” he said.

Widely acknowledged across Europe, North America, Asia, the Caribbean, and Africa, the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is well known among Lagos families living abroad for its strong emphasis on leadership, service, and lifelong skills.

Hosting The Duke of Edinburgh in Lagos sends a clear message to the diaspora: Lagos is intentionally cultivating globally competitive young leaders who meet world-class standards.

For Lagosians abroad, this event is more than a ceremonial engagement, it reaffirms Lagos as a globally connected State committed to preparing its youth to excel and contribute meaningfully on the world stage.

The Sanwo-Olu administration’s THEMES+ Agenda places youth empowerment, innovation, and inclusive growth at its core. The Gold Award ceremony is a direct reflection of these priorities- fostering globally competitive skills, strengthening future leadership pipelines, showcasing Lagos as a hub for international engagement, and promoting responsible citizenship. Through platforms such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award, Lagos is raising young people who are academically grounded, emotionally intelligent, community-focused, and globally aware.

For the Lagos State Office of Diaspora Affairs (LASDA), the event reinforces our mission to strengthen diaspora connections by building bridges between Lagos and its global community, promoting opportunities that link diaspora families to homegrown initiatives, showcasing Lagos as a State that upholds global standards, and encouraging diaspora participation in youth-focused programmes. The Duke of Edinburgh’s presence further positions Lagos as an active partner in internationally recognised youth development frameworks.

Lagos also calls on its diaspora community to take an active role in the State’s youth development story, by exploring DofE opportunities for young people visiting Lagos, connecting young diaspora Lagosians to emerging youth programmes, partnering or mentoring within youth initiatives, and supporting cross-border development exchanges. LASDA remains committed to assisting Lagosians worldwide who wish to engage more deeply with the State’s youth empowerment agenda.

As Governor Sanwo-Olu affirmed, “Lagos will continue to champion opportunities that shape individuals into leaders who will define the next chapter of our progress.”

The Duke of Edinburgh’s visit and the Gold Award celebration further strengthen Lagos’ commitment to nurturing globally competitive young people, a priority shared by our vibrant and influential diaspora.

Together, we are building a Lagos where every young person, at home or in the diaspora, can learn, lead, innovate, and thrive.