Humans of CTEACH - Adeyoola Dauda Adeyanju

At Lagos State Model College, Kankon, a junior secondary school in Lagos State, leadership 
used to be something students observed rather than experienced. That began to change 
through the Changemaker Teacher EACH Activation Program (CTEACH), a Time for Change 
(TFC) initiative that supports teachers in helping students practise leadership, empathy, and 
teamwork in real ways.

Mr. Adeyoola Dauda Adeyanju, a JSS 1 classroom teacher and CTEACH participant, 
introduced a simple but powerful routine called “Class Captain of the Week.” Each week, a 
different student is selected to lead the class, not as an authority figure, but as a servant 
leader responsible for supporting peers and fostering cooperation.

Before this practice, leadership roles in class were limited and often associated with control 
or discipline. Many students lacked confidence, and quieter learners rarely stepped forward.

Drawing on the shared leadership principle learned during his year-long CTEACH journey, Mr 
Adeyanju redesigned leadership as a shared responsibility. Over the course of the school term, 
multiple students rotated through the Class Captain role, experiencing leadership firsthand.
 

For Adeleke Abdulroheem Moradeyo, being selected was transformative.
 

“When my teacher picked me, I felt happy because he trusted me,” she shared. Initially nervous, Adeleke soon realised the role was about service, noticing classmates who were confused, encouraging cooperation, and helping the class function better. By the end of her week, she felt more confident and intentional.
 

“If I do the right thing, others will follow, and the class will be better,” she reflected.
 

Another student, Tijani Rodiyah Adeyemi, described the experience as a practical lesson in 
leadership through empathy.

“Leadership is not shouting at people or giving orders; it is helping others and being a good 
example,” she shared.

She focused on calming tensions, resolving minor conflicts early, and ensuring no one felt 
excluded. Over time, she noticed her actions influenced the entire class, making it more 
organised and peaceful.

Through this weekly practice:

• Students gained confidence and agency
• Classroom relationships improved
• Leadership became inclusive and service-oriented
• Empathy and cooperation became everyday habits
   

By translating CTEACH learning into a simple classroom routine, Mr Adeyanju helped students 
experience changemaking as something they practise rather than something they wait to be 
taught. The result is a classroom where small, consistent actions are shaping confident 
learners and leaders.