South-West Youth Entrepreneurship Summit 2025: Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

The South-West Youth Entrepreneurship Summit 2025 (Season 2) has successfully brought together key stakeholders, policymakers, and passionate youths to address unemployment and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs. The event, held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, was attended by prominent figures, including Hon. Olalekan Biliamin Oba, representing the Honorable Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, and Hon. Sola Olofin, Chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), represented by Mr. Hansur Hanger.

Other notable attendees included Mrs. Toyin Aralepo, a member of the Forbes Finance Council, Amb Desmond Femi Agboola, Convener of the South-West Youth Entrepreneurship Summit, and Amb. Odunola Abayomi, Founder of TOD Media, who moderated a thought-provoking panel session. The panel featured Mr. Adewale Abidakun, CEO of BlueMart Realty Ltd, Dr. Mrs. Enitan Oteju Ibironke, Business Coach and Entrepreneur, Dr.Bldr Abdulhakeem Odegade, MD/CEO of Akmodel Group, Toba-Dosumu L.A., Brand Strategist and Creative Designer, and Tofunmi Akinseye, CEO/Founder of Savvy Media Africa.

The summit aimed to equip 300 selected youths from the six states of the South-West region with practical skills in technology, agriculture, waste management, fashion, confectioneries, and bag/shoe making. A goodwill message from Engr. Ibrahim Adigun of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, further inspired the participants.

A remarkable highlight of the summit was the inspiring pitch by Sulaimon, a young shoemaker passionate about his craft. Moved by his story, three of the panelists extended significant support to elevate his business. The success of the South-West Youth Entrepreneurship Summit 2025 was made possible through the support of media partners such as ASO Multi-Media, TOD Media, Megastar Communications, Digital Space Capital, Akmodel Group, Arise News, and 9News Nigeria. As the training program commences in April 2025, the Empowerment and Leadership Development Foundation remains committed to nurturing an empowered, self-reliant, and innovative generation of youth in the South-West.