At the just concluded JCI 2025 World Congress, JCI Sen. Oluwatoyin Atanda was named most outstanding National President for 2025 among a pool of over 100 National Presidents.

This outstanding recognition reinforces her exceptional leadership capabilities and the transformative impact of her "ELV8" movement, which has redefined Nigeria's standing within the global Junior Chamber International Network.

The JCI World Congress, held in Tunis, Tunisia from November 4-8, 2025 was predicted to bring together over 3000 young leaders across 120 countries. Nigeria being recognised with the honour of most outstanding National President at the Gala night will always be a proud moment for JCI Nigeria members and Nigerians at large.

WHAT IS JCI?

JCI which stands for Junior Chamber International is a leadership organisation for young people within the age of 18-40.

Today's world needs effective global leaders who can lead and navigate complex environments that are ever training and this is where JCI comes in. Active in over 5000 locations across nearly 115 countries across the globe, JCI for the last 110 years has been in the business of building ordinary people and making global leaders out of them.

Through it's four area of opportunities — Individual development, Business and Entrepreneurship, International Cooperation, and Community Impact — JCI has shaped global leaders who drive positive change in their local communities as well as on the global stage.

John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States once said "Harvard gave me an education, but JCI gave me an education for life" this highlights the lifelong impact that JCI had on him and countless others worldwide.

Today, JCI acknowledges the importance of the younger generation and has pushed for inclusion through the collegiate structure ensuring that undergraduates aged 18 and above have just as many opportunities to impact their communities and develop their potential.

OLUWATOYIN ATANDA: A LEADER WITH PURPOSE

JCI Sen. Oluwatoyin Atanda is no stranger to the leadership space. Being a member of this prestigious organisation since 2009, JCI Sen. Oluwatoyin Atanda's journey in JCI is one marked by 16 years of immense hard work and resilience.

Her attainment of the JCI Senator status and her emergence as National President in 2025 reflects years of exceptional service and contribution to the JCI movement. Under her leadership, JCI operated under the "ELV8" theme — a framework for action that saw initiatives like JCI Nigeria ELV80 Mentorship programme that saw 80 JCI Members get career professionals, seasoned businessmen, enterprising leaders as mentors.

Beyond her work in JCI, Oluwatoyin serves as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos State on Establishments and Training where she has leveraged her leadership and management skills to drive impactful projects.

One such initiative is the Lagos State Public Service Accelerator Programme which targeted mid level civil servants (GL 12-14), training and equipping them with the necessary skills and global perspective needed for exceptional public service and effective policy and service delivery in the 21st century.

Her commitment to digital literacy saw her secure a partnership with Techdev, a program that trained 3000 public servants and provided them with Microsoft-endorsed certifications.

Her academic credentials include a B.Sc in Chemistry from Lagos State University, an H.N.D in Civil Engineering from Lagos State Polytechnic, and an MBA from the University of South Wales, UK.

Her dual role as a government official and youth leader establishes her as a Proactive and resourceful individual, making her leadership both strategic and impactful.

IMPACT AND RECOGNITION

While the full scope of JCI Sen. Oluwatoyin Atanda's administration continues to unfold, the global attraction her achievements attracted speaks volumes.

Under the ELV8 movement, JCI Nigeria saw it's finest conferences and established significant partnerships like the one with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs. JCI under President Oluwatoyin Atanda saw JCI Nigeria become more visible in Nigeria, Africa and the global stage.

In such a competitive space, the ELV8 administration distinguished itself and earned her the honour of Most Outstanding President of 2025.

With a grateful heart, the 2025 JCI Nigeria National President dedicated this award to members of the JCI Nigeria community and her executives for their consistent commitment and belief in the ELV8 movement.

In her words, "This is indeed a very proud moment for me and for JCI Nigeria, we made history today, our ELV8 theme of rising together for a sustainable future, redefining leadership and inspiring others to lead with purpose paid off".

A TRIUMPHANT WEEKEND FOR JCI NIGERIA

JCI Sen. Oluwatoyin Atanda's recognition and honour wasn't in isolation — the JCI World Congress was a historic weekend for JCI Nigeria as the country swept multiple honours.

In a remarkable display of the leadership prowess of Nigeria, JCI Nigeria produced and delivered two candidates in the highly competitive race for positions in the JCI Executive Board.

JCI Sen. Abdullahi Bala Attahiru, the 2023 JCI Nigeria National President emerged as the JCI Executive Vice President, while JCI Sen. Sandra Efemuaye, the 2024 JCI Nigeria National President and champion of the SEE movement emerged as the JCI Vice President. These victory placed Nigerians once again at the heart of JCI's global decision-making structure for the coming year.

In the spirit of victory and triumph, JCIN AMB. Segun Omotosho, the current General Legal Counsel of JCI Nigeria was appointed - Global Collaboration Committee member for Africa and the Middle East, further cementing JCI Nigeria's influential role and influence in the affairs of JCI in 2026.

JCI Nigeria also received a certificate of appreciation for exceptional contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the 2025 JCI Impact report served as yet another affirmation of the country's commitment to to meaningful change.

The collective success of JCI Nigeria at the JCI World Congress created many blissful memories for JCI Nigeria President— seeing their National President dancing to the Nigerian beat "Oblee" as she approached the stage to receive her award will always be a priceless moment for JCI Nigeria members. And to the thousands of young leaders gathered in Tunis, Tunisia, the message was clear — Nigeria isn't just participating in global youth leadership, it is leading it.