SABMF urges govt, institutions to adopt structured mentorship for youth

The Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) has called on governments, educational institutions and organisations to institutionalise structured mentorship programmes as a strategy for youth development, leadership succession and sustainable national development.

The foundation made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of its July 2026 Monthly Virtual Mentorship Programme, with the theme: "Mentor One, Build Many: Creating Lasting Community Impact through Personal Commitment."

The communiqué, signed by the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Engr. Abubakar Gambo Umar, said mentorship remained one of the most effective but underutilised tools for leadership development and community transformation.

It said participants at the virtual session, facilitated by Prof. Plangsat Bitrus Dayil of the University of Jos, agreed that sustainable societal progress depended largely on deliberate investment in people through guidance, knowledge transfer, character development and continuous support.

According to the communiqué, effective mentorship goes beyond career advancement to include the promotion of ethical values, confidence, critical thinking, emotional support and responsible citizenship.

It noted that communities and institutions that deliberately nurture mentoring relationships are better positioned to produce future leaders and ensure continuity in governance and organisational management.

The foundation also observed that the multiplier effect of mentorship enables one well-guided individual to positively influence many others, thereby creating lasting impact across generations.

It further acknowledged the enduring relevance of traditional African apprenticeship systems, describing them as practical models for entrepreneurship, economic empowerment and community resilience.

The communiqué stressed that successful mentoring relationships are built on trust, mutual respect, confidentiality, effective communication, clearly defined expectations and personal commitment.

However, the foundation expressed concern over what it described as the declining culture of mentorship across institutions and communities, limited structured mentoring opportunities for young people and weak succession planning in both public and private organisations.

It also identified inadequate platforms for intergenerational transfer of knowledge and values, poor recognition of mentorship as a tool for national development and the growing need for ethical leadership as key challenges.

To address the gaps, the foundation urged government at all levels to incorporate structured mentorship into youth development and leadership policies.

It also called on schools to integrate mentorship into student development programmes, while public and private organisations were advised to institutionalise mentoring as part of staff development and succession planning.

The communiqué encouraged professionals, entrepreneurs, community leaders and retirees to invest their knowledge and experience in mentoring younger generations.

It also urged civil society organisations, faith-based groups and development partners to expand mentorship platforms that promote ethical leadership, volunteerism and community service.

The foundation further called on families to strengthen mentorship within the home by instilling positive values and responsible citizenship in children and young adults.

It advised young people to actively seek credible mentors and embrace opportunities for continuous learning and self-development, while encouraging beneficiaries of mentorship to mentor others.

Reaffirming its commitment to leadership development, peacebuilding and sustainable national development, the foundation said deliberate investment in individuals would help build stronger institutions, resilient communities and responsible future leaders.