How David Ogunlade is inspiring young Nigerians through leadership and vision

By Esther Olatimehin

At a time when many young Nigerians are navigating uncertainty, economic hardship, and frustration when it comes to leadership, David Ogunlade believes the solution is active participation. “Young people can create change through leadership,” he told The Lagos Voice. 

For David, leadership is not merely about occupying positions or popularity. It is about influence, responsibility, and creating opportunities for others and that belief inspired the creation of the Intelligentsia Leadership Foundation, a youth-focused initiative dedicated to mentorship, leadership development, and nation-building.

As the foundation prepares to mark its first anniversary, David reflects on the realities of building an organisation as a young person in Nigeria together with the vision that struggles, and the hope that kept him going.

Speaking with The Lagos Voice, the young law student described the foundation as a platform created to equip young people with the mindset and tools needed to lead and make a positive impact within their communities and in the diaspora.

“One of my biggest inspirations to start the foundation is that we need to be like a bolt of electricity, a shock to global systems,” he said. “One that fires up and harnesses the team’s momentum to seize the future.”

Beyond his role as founder of the Intelligentsia Leadership Foundation, David is also a third-year Law student at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), where he currently serves as the Registrar of Magna Curia Chambers and President of the Energy Club, OAU. He has also held leadership positions in several student organizations, including serving as the 52nd Public Relations Officer of the Association of Campus Journalists (ACJ-OAU).

Despite these accomplishments, David admits that balancing academics, leadership, and personal growth has been one of the most demanding parts of the journey and what is still trying to navigate daily. “It’s not easy to run a foundation. But one thing that I do not joke with is my calendar.”

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According to him, structure and planning have become important survival tools. He schedules activities coming up in months and even years ahead in order to stay organized and intentional. “I include things I intend to do next month, next year, even the next five years,” he explained.

“Academics come first, then extracurriculars. And we make sure proper structures are in place for the foundation. Still, organization alone has not been enough to overcome the challenges that come with leading a growing initiative. There is no organization on earth that will not face one challenge or the other,” he said.

David added; “Every organization faces issues regarding finance, human management, and structure.” Yet, through those moments of uncertainty, David says his belief in God has remained his greatest source of strength.

“What has kept us going is God’s grace,” he said. “When we feel discouraged, we go back to God, we go back to our vision script, and we remind ourselves why we started.”

Throughout the interview with The Lagos Voice, David repeatedly referenced what he calls a “vision script”, a personal and organizational framework that keeps him and his team focused despite obstacles and distractions. “It’s not about the troubles of now,” he said thoughtfully. “We have a goal in mind and a certain vision, so we defy all odds to make sure that vision is achieved.”

Alongside his faith, mentorship has also played an important role in shaping his leadership philosophy. Quoting Isaac Newton’s famous statement about “standing on the shoulders of giants,” David emphasized the importance of learning from experienced leaders and thinkers.

He specifically mentioned the media entrepreneur Oluseun Onigbinde as one of the mentors whose guidance has influenced his growth. “I refer to mentors like him as giants,” he said. “Standing on their shoulders helps me see farther.”

Beyond mentorship, Ogunlade believes reading has also contributed significantly to his development as a leader. He spoke about leadership books and how they have helped him understand the realities that come with building organizations and sustaining vision. One book that particularly impacted him, he said, was The Vision Driven Leader by Michael Hyatt.

“That book opened my eyes to the challenges leaders face, how leaders become discouraged, and what keeps them moving despite those struggles,” he explained.

Although Ogunlade speaks often about leadership, he also acknowledges the emotional weight that comes with pursuing impact-driven work at a young age. “Doing something extraordinary comes with struggles,” he admitted. “You will face financial issues, discouragement, and pressure.”

For that reason, he believes many young people today need not only motivation but the right mindset. “The mindset youths need to succeed is understanding that they can create change through leadership and that nothing is impossible with God,” he said.

“Young people should not put God aside. They should have mentors, a vision, and a winning mindset.” He also believes young Nigerians must begin to see the country differently, despite its present realities.

“We should have the mindset that Nigeria should be the foremost Black nation on earth,” he told The Lagos Voice. 

As the Intelligentsia Leadership Foundation approaches its second year, David Ogunlade says the organization is focused on expansion and more impact. According to him, they had established leadership clubs across universities including the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ladoke Akintola University, and the Federal University of Technology, Akure.

The foundation is also preparing for another edition of its annual online leadership series, alongside new initiatives such as leadership book clubs and outreach programs for secondary schools and underserved communities.

While the ambitions continue to grow, David says the focus remains impact rather than popularity. “Don’t do something because others are doing it,” he advised. “Do it because you truly believe in the vision.”

For him, leadership is majorly about contributing and choosing to participate in shaping the society rather than watching from the sidelines.

As the Intelligentsia Leadership Foundation prepares to celebrate one year of existence, David’s message to young Nigerians is that “the future will not change on its own. It will be shaped by young people willing to lead with vision, discipline, and purpose.”