Conference to equip school prefects with leadership, integrity, service.
Book Fever, a youth-focused organisation promoting education and leadership development, will host the 2026 National Prefectship Conference in Lagos on Friday, October 23.
The conference, themed “Champions of Excellence,” will hold from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sam Shonibare Community Centre, Surulere. It will bring together secondary school prefects, student leaders, educators and stakeholders for leadership training, mentorship and knowledge sharing.
Founder and CEO of Book Fever, Ms. Alero Okiki, said the conference seeks to redefine prefectship in Nigerian secondary schools.
“For many students, becoming a prefect is their first formal leadership position. At Book Fever, we believe that goes beyond wearing a badge or holding a title,” Okiki said.
“Prefectship should be more than a position; it should serve as a leadership laboratory. It is one of the earliest opportunities young people have to understand responsibility, accountability, service and the impact of their decisions on others.”
Project Manager, Franklin Odibo, said early leadership education could help address the country’s leadership deficit. He said this year’s edition has been significantly expanded.
“The 2026 conference will feature keynote presentations, interactive sessions, leadership conversations, practical workshops and engagements with distinguished leaders across sectors,” Odibo said.
“Participants will engage in critical conversations around leadership, personal development, decision-making, integrity, entrepreneurship, communication, financial responsibility and the role of young people in building stronger communities.”
He added that the conference will create a platform for prefects from different schools to interact and share experiences.
“We are not simply gathering prefects; we are building a community of young people who understand that leadership is a responsibility,” he said.
According to the organisers, the initiative aims to shift students’ perception of leadership from authority and recognition to service, competence, integrity and positive impact, while encouraging prefects to lead by example and contribute meaningfully to their school communities.
