Experts have called on Nigerian youths to view the country's socio-economic challenges as opportunities to create innovative solutions rather than just lamenting on social media. This was a key message at the fifth edition of the Nasir Giwa Mentorship Conference held in Lagos State, themed 'Building the Future: The Urgency of Now.' The event, which marked the 10th anniversary of NGM, brought together hundreds of undergraduates, young professionals, business leaders, and entrepreneurs.
The founder of NGM, Nasir Giwa, addressed participants, emphasizing that periods of national difficulty often provide the most fertile ground for innovation and enterprise. He encouraged youths to stop lamenting and instead utilize their time collaboratively with others, being part of a mentorship platform. Giwa noted that the current challenges in Nigeria should be seen as opportunities for growth and development.
The Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, Mr. Kola Adesina, also spoke at the event, urging the younger generation to shun despair. He drew an analogy between the national conversation on domestic oil refining and the need for youths to refine their innate abilities. Adesina stressed that wealth is created by providing answers to societal needs and encouraged youths to innovate and solve problems within their communities.
Adesina criticized the tendency of many citizens to join a bandwagon of complaints, noting that this approach does not lead to wealth creation. Instead, he emphasized the need for problem solvers, highlighting that those who innovate and solve problems are more likely to become prosperous. Adesina's remarks were part of a broader discussion on the role of youths in driving positive change in Nigeria.
The Chief Executive Officer of Future Africa, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, also spoke at the conference, stressing the need for Nigerian youths to be problem solvers. He emphasized that building something that lasts requires a focus on people and solving real-world problems. Aboyeji urged the younger generation to build capacity that would enable them to become effective problem solvers with visible output.
A major focus of the conference was the grand finale of the NGM and Kola Adesina DARE Nigeria Challenge, alongside the NGM and Afropreneur SME Pitch Competition. The challenge was instituted by Adesina to fund and mentor young innovators developing scalable business models. Adesina commended the finalists for focusing on critical human needs such as healthcare, water supply, food security, and clothing.
The conference provided a platform for networking and learning, with experienced mentors offering guidance to young innovators. The reward structure of the DARE Nigeria Challenge was designed to provide strategic, needs-based support to scale each specific venture. The event concluded with a call to action for Nigerian youths to take ownership of their future and work towards building a better Nigeria.
Key points
- Experts urge Nigerian youths to view socio-economic challenges as opportunities for innovation and growth.
- The Nasir Giwa Mentorship Conference emphasized the need for problem solvers and innovative thinking.
- The event provided a platform for networking, learning, and mentorship for young innovators.
