In Lagos recently, rows of teenagers leaned in, not to their books, but to the voices of professionals telling stories of failure, resilience, and triumph.
The occasion was Harness Your Dream, Promasidor Nigeria’s flagship career guidance initiative. For many of the junior secondary school students in attendance, it wasn’t just another school event, it was the first time anyone had asked them not just what they wanted to be, but why.
“We’re here to help you find that spark,” said François Gillet, CEO of Promasidor Nigeria, addressing the students. “This isn’t just about jobs. It’s about purpose.”
In a country where many young people face uncertainty about their future, Promasidor’s programme is doing something refreshingly simple, but powerful: giving students the tools to dream boldly and the guidance to make smart decisions.
Dr. Chinenyem Obasi-Obonga, who leads Promasidor’s Regulatory and Government Affairs, sees this initiative as more than CSR, it’s part of the company’s DNA. “This is about closing the gap between school and the real world,” she said. “We want these young people to leave with clarity and confidence.”
That mission lines up with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and the Lagos State THEMES+ agenda, which places a premium on education and technology for youth development.
The event gathered a diverse cast, government officials, educators, Promasidor executives, and health professionals, each offering mentorship grounded in lived experience.
Mrs. Anike Adekanye, representing Lagos First Lady Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, urged the students not to let their background limit their ambition. “Success starts with a dream,” she said, “but it’s built on choices, daily ones, hard ones, smart ones.”
From the business world, Promasidor’s own leaders stepped away from their executive suites to sit eye-level with students. Mr. Olabisi Ajeyomi, Mrs. Arike Nwachukwu, and Mr. Chukwunonso Udeh didn’t just talk careers, they shared personal journeys, failures, and what it means to “keep the big picture in mind.”
And then came Otunba Adebayo Olasoju, Chairman of Isolo LCDA, who stood as proof that no dream is too big, and no background too humble, when drive meets opportunity.
His message was lucid: “Where you start doesn’t matter. It’s where you’re going, and how hard you’re willing to work to get there.”
What set Harness Your Dream apart wasn’t just the speeches; it was the interaction. Students asked questions, shared aspirations, and threw themselves into quizzes and educational games that turned learning into play. Some walked away with prizes; all walked away with something to think about.
The message throughout the day was clear: it’s not enough to dream. You must decide, and act.
As the students filed out, still buzzing from the day’s activities, one could sense the shift. For many, it was more than just a programme. It was a turning point.
