Business
Africa’s Future Depends on Strategic Leadership and Infrastructure” – Odetola Declares at Olin Africa Business Forum
Joel Ajayi
Rising Nigerian policy strategist and youth advocate, Abiola Odetola, has called for a fundamental rethink of governance models and infrastructure development across Africa.
Speaking at the Olin Africa Business Forum 2025, hosted by Washington University in St. Louis, Odetola emphasized that Africa’s long-term economic and social sustainability depends on bold governance reforms that prioritize innovation, inclusion, and strategic infrastructure investments.
The two-day forum, themed “Redefining Africa’s Business Narrative: Thriving Beyond Borders with Sustainable Businesses,” brought together top African professionals, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore key areas such as technology, health, business, and governance. Over the years, the forum has hosted former Presidents, top business executives, and Ambassadors, making it a major platform for shaping Africa’s economic and governance future.
During the Policy & Governance panel, which featured Grace Musoro, CEO of Aquiantz Consulting, and Segun Babalola, Founder/Advisor at the African Chambers of Commerce, Odetola highlighted the transformative power of infrastructure investments. He pointed to Nigeria’s ongoing Coastal Road construction project as a model for how deliberate infrastructure development can unlock economic potential, create jobs, and promote regional trade.
“We cannot build a thriving Africa without a solid infrastructure backbone. The Nigerian government’s Coastal Road project is a demonstration of how deliberate investments in road networks can enhance connectivity, boost commerce, and open up economic opportunities for millions. If replicated across the continent with proper governance oversight, such projects can be a game-changer for Africa’s development,” he stated.
Odetola also used the forum as a platform to challenge graduating MBA students of African descent at Washington University’s Olin Business School to actively contribute to Africa’s development. He urged them to leverage their knowledge, expertise, and networks to drive transformation on the continent.
“Africa’s development will not be a sudden miracle; it will be the result of conscious, strategic input from its best minds, especially in political leadership. If we do not intentionally prepare and position young leaders, we will keep recycling old governance models that no longer serve our future. I challenge every African graduate from institutions like Washington University to find ways to give back, invest in Africa, and shape the policies that will define our continent’s next century,” Odetola declared.
The forum also featured high-profile speakers, including Austin Okere, CEO of CWG PLC; Olusola Amusan, CEO of Vesti; Jimi Tewe, CEO of Jimi Tewe LLC; and Afua Appea, Director of Product Management at Mastercard. The keynote address was delivered by Mojisola Fashola, CEO of Salt Advisory and MD/General Counsel at Kuramo Capital Management.
The Olin Africa Business Forum 2025 once again proved to be a pivotal platform for driving conversations that shape Africa’s business, technology, and governance landscape. With young, dynamic voices like Odetola championing innovative governance and sustainable infrastructure, the forum underscored the urgent need for African leaders to embrace forward-thinking policies that ensure long-term prosperity for the continent.
Business
FG, Investonaire Academy Unveil National Programme to Equip 100,000 Youths with Financial Skills, Digital Wealth Tools
By Joel Ajayi
The Federal Government, in collaboration with Investonaire Academy, has unveiled a nationwide financial literacy and wealth-building programme targeting more than 100,000 young Nigerians. The initiative is designed to equip participants with practical skills in budgeting, saving, investing, asset building, and long-term financial planning, positioning them for sustainable prosperity in a rapidly evolving economy.
Launched on Tuesday in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, described financial literacy as a necessary survival tool for young people confronting today’s economic realities.
He noted that the initiative represents the foundation of a broader vision expected to extend beyond Nigeria to other African nations and global markets.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting over 4,000 corps members annually, the Minister said the programme will provide platforms, resources, and skills needed for both job creation and employability.
“The young people who understand money — how to save, invest, build assets, and manage risk — are the ones who will lead Nigeria into prosperity,” he said.
A major highlight of the launch was the expansion of the Nigeria Youth Academy, a digital platform offering mentorship, training, and startup support. According to the Minister, more than 200 startups will receive empowerment through the Academy’s e-app platform before the end of the year.
He stressed the need for deeper collaboration with private organisations, innovators, and youth-focused groups, noting that government alone cannot drive youth development. He further encouraged young Nigerians to embrace skills acquisition, innovation, and digital enterprise, saying these remain critical to reducing the desire for migration and increasing self-reliance.
Outlining the Ministry’s long-term commitments, Olawande emphasized three priorities: supporting youth innovation, equipping them with growth tools, and safeguarding millions of Nigerian youths under the Ministry’s mandate.
Speaking at the launch, Sebastien Sicre, Chief Operating Officer of Investonaire Academy, said the programme was crafted to revolutionize the way Nigerian youths learn and apply financial knowledge. He highlighted the Academy’s gamified Learning Management System (LMS), which offers interactive learning tools, community forums, and real-time mentorship to make financial education engaging and accessible.
Complementing the digital platform is a new 200-square-metre physical training centre in Abuja, opposite the NNPC Towers, where in-person workshops and mentorship sessions will take place.
The curriculum covers key global asset classes — including equities, commodities, forex, and indices — ensuring participants gain a broad understanding of financial markets.
Sicre added that with Federal Government backing, the programme seeks to unlock new opportunities, strengthen youth participation in the digital economy, and reward outstanding participants through a $1 million funding pool to support new and existing ventures.
International Programme Director of Investonaire Academy, Dr. Enefola Odiba, explained that the initiative aims to bridge long-standing gaps in financial education among Nigerian youths. While schools teach many subjects, he said, essential financial skills are often missing.
“Many people can earn money — earning money can be easy. The real challenge is retaining, managing, and growing that money,” he noted.
Referencing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s definition of financial literacy, Odiba stated that implementation remains a major national challenge. He said the initiative brings together government agencies, youth groups, academic institutions, and private-sector partners to translate strategy into measurable impact.
The programme’s curriculum covers budgeting, saving, investing, and financial planning — areas where many young people struggle. By offering practical training, real-world insights, and guided mentorship, the initiative aims to build a generation of financially empowered youth capable of driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth.
With this partnership, the Federal Government and Investonaire Academy share a common goal: to empower young Nigerians with the financial intelligence and digital tools needed to build wealth, grow businesses, and transform the nation’s economic future.
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