Young people today stand on the intersection of complex moral social and digital challenges. Preparing them to navigate these realities with integrity being at the core of all they do. It is on this foundation that the Network of Youth for sustainable initiative (NGYouthSDGs) and IHS NIgeria convened the Compliance and Ethics for the Next Generation Forum at the University of Lagos on November 25th, 2025, a dynamic platform that brought together students, student leaders and professionals to explore the principles of ethical leadership, compliance and responsible decision-making.
Held with an emphasis on practical learning, the forum featured powerful keynote speeches, panel discussion and an interactive breakout session. Participants left not just informed but equipped with a framework to build integrity driven behaviours.
The event commenced with an opening address from Halima Omidiran, who provided an insightful overview of the programme, she highlighted the urgent need for young people to understand what compliance truly means and how foundational ethical behaviour is to personal and professional success. Her remarks set the tone for a day centered on character accountability, and values
The Keynote speaker, Dr. Collins Oboh, A chevening scholar and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Lagos, guided participants through an exploration of the human body, soul and spirit and how each influences ethical behaviour. He broke down how the body stores information through the senses, describing how the soul houses the mind emotions and will, the spirit through conscience and intuition, comments individual to moral reality
He further emphasized that the conscience plays a critical role in regulating behaviour, urging individuals toward the right choices even when doing the right thing is not easy. He illustrated how human action flows from mind to emotion and then will, reminding participants that knowing what is right is never enough action must follow knowledge.
Mr Richard Ebuuetse, Associate Director of Data Governance and Compliance, IHS Nigeria, delivered a compelling session on the relevance of integrity and compliance in building a successful career. He underscored that compliance is broad, it touches every sector, and strengthens transparency and whistleblowing systems while emphasising that today’s generation must be mindful of their digital footprint, as content shared online can’t be retrieved once released.
He closed by encouraging students to be authentic, principled, and committed to following the right processes, even when no one is watching.
After this came the panel session which brought together Dr, Collins Oboh, Richard Ebuetse and Ibukunoluwa Korede David-Oluwole, JCIN UNILAG President, The panel discussion moderated by Mobolaji Ololade explored the he rising pressures that push young people toward unethical choices, including academic shortcuts and peer influence, How organisations evaluate integrity during recruitment, and The ethical complexities within student leadership structures.
Ibukunoluwa highlighted the personal cost of doing what is right in peer environments but emphasized that modelling ethical behaviour creates ripple effects across campus communities. The panel wrapped up with each speaker sharing one ethical principle they believe every young person should hold onto as they build their future.
Participants of the event had a breakout session which allowed them to put to use what they had just learnt. Participants were divided into five groups of ten and tasked with identifying: one ethical issue that concerns them, what they can do about it and how they plan to track impact. The breakout session ended with presentation from all five groups who worked on Environmental Pollution, Unfair Advantage, Academic Integrity, Power vs Ethics and Internalised misogyny and tribalism.
The event wrapped up with a closing remarks from Joshua Alade, Executive Director, who applauded the students for their engagement and reaffirmed the importance of embedding ethics into everyday decision-making processes.
For NGYouthSDGs, this forum represents more than an event, it reflects our commitment to shaping a generation of young Nigerians who lead with integrity, clarity, and purpose. As an organisation working at the intersection of youth development, civic participation, and the SDGs, we believe that ethical leadership is the backbone of sustainable progress.
The Compliance and Ethics for the Next Generation Forum succeeded in its mission: empowering young people with the knowledge, clarity, and courage to make ethical decisions in a world filled with grey areas. More than just a learning event, it was an investment in Nigeria’s future, one grounded in integrity, accountability, and leadership.
