Youth and Young Nigeria

Youth Minister, Three Young Entrepreneurs to Represent Nigeria at Forbes Under 30 Africa Summit

Published

3 years ago

April 21, 2023

Three young Nigerian entrepreneurs have been selected to represent their country at the 2023 Forbes Under 30 Africa Summit billed to hold in Gaborone, Botswana, from 23rd to 26th April 2023. The Honourable Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, will be representing His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, at the event upon the personal invitation of the President of Botswana.

The young businesspeople, who will be flying Nigeria’s flag at the event, include 29-year-old Ashley Jiritmwa Dimka-Tapgun, CEO of Ashley’s Strawberry Farms Limited; 28-year-old Ayodeji Atte, a media entrepreneur; and 29-year-old Winnie Ojochenemi Adejo, CEO and Creative Director of Kira Brand Limited.

According to the Forbes website, this summit is being organized “to harness the power of entrepreneurial capitalism amid a continent whose growth is ripe with opportunities for young entrepreneurs and rapidly becoming a hub for business and technological innovation.”

The Summit will focus on “Unlocking the Continent’s Biggest Opportunities through Inspiration, Innovation and Exploration.” The young Nigerian entrepreneurs will get the opportunity to network with over 1000 other young entreprenuers from across the world.

Some of the A-listers expected include, Ghazi Shami, Founder & CEO, Empire Distribution; Denim Richards, Actor & Founder, Khumo Studios; Fireboy DML, Award Winning Afrobeats Artist; Uche Pedro, Founder & CEO, Bella Naija; Adebola Williams, Chairman, AW Network and Founder, RED; and Noureddine Tayebi, Founder & CEO, Yassir.

Speaking of his delight in being one of the lucky few to attend the Summit, Mr. Atte said he looks forward to using the experience to good use.

“I’m extremely delighted to be selected to attend the 2023 Forbes Under 30 Africa Summit in Botswana to share with others the opportunities and inherent capabilities that young people can tap into, and also learn from fellow Youth doing the same thing the world over. I cannot wait to compare my work with theirs and return to Nigeria with new knowledge and experiences,” he said.

The Minister, Mr. Dare, said the event is another opportunity for Nigeria to place her best foot forward and show that investment in the Youth is paying off.

“President Buhari has always said that Youth, not oil, are Nigeria’s most important resource. I am proud to be leading this delegation to this event to showcase our Youth and demonstrate their investment worthiness,” he said. “We are a country blessed with immense and diverse talent and it shows even in the number of speakers and VIPs for this event that are Nigerians.

“We have a bias towards entrepreneurs that produces value leveraging our land, human and application of science to achieve efficiency and scale. We believe Africa’s future development is hinged on production of both mid and high value complex and non-complex items that we currently import from outside the continent that we should ordinarily share internally, a drive behind the AFCTA. Nigeria will as usual contribute impactfully as we continue to facilitate investment, aspiration and networks for our Youth.”

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CLTC Partners with UNIAGY, NYFF for Youth Conference, Leadership Debate

Published

3 weeks ago

October 16, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

As part of activities marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC) is set to host a youth conference themed “Nigeria @ 65: Reviving Values and Volunteerism among the Youth.”

In a statement signed on Thursday by the Head, Information Unit, CLTC, Chinwe Nduka the Centre announced that the event will hold on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, in Abuja, in collaboration with major partners including the United Nations Inter-Agency Group on Youth (UNIAGY) and the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF).

The conference aims to inspire active citizenship, strengthen civic values, and promote volunteerism as vital tools for rebuilding trust, unity, and shared responsibility among Nigeria’s youth.

A major highlight of the event will be the grand finale of the Youth Leadership Debate, an initiative of the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF), which provides a platform for young leaders to articulate their vision for the nation’s future.

Confirmed speakers include the Honourable Minister for Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande; Chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, Prof. Tunji Olaopa; and Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, CEO of Future Africa.

Other notable speakers are Samson Itodo (ED, YIAGA Africa), Rotimi Olawale (ED, Youth Hub Africa), Elisabeth Agbiti-Douglas (Director, NYFF), Mrs. Abiodun Essiet (SSA to the President on Community Engagement – North Central), Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa (SSA to the President on Special Needs & Equal Opportunities), Dr. Titilope Gbadamosi (SA to the President on Youth Initiatives), Surayyah Ahmad (Founding Partner, Sabou Capital), Aishat Dahiru (Youth Focal Point, IOM Nigeria), Rafiat Atanda (Communications Specialist, UNODC), and Mr. Rex Stephen Ojochegbe (Student, ATBU).

The conference enjoys the support of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), reflecting strong ministerial commitment to empowering Nigerian youth. It is also supported by Aspitah Global Resources, the event’s implementation partner.

Participants will include students, young entrepreneurs, professionals, and community-based organisations. Interested persons who cannot attend physically will be able to join the event virtually.

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