By VICTORY EMMANUEL
Young Nigerians from different parts of the country converged in Lagos on June 29, 2026, for the Ambassador’s National Youth Summit, an initiative of the Joshua Oyeniyi International Foundation aimed at promoting, recognising and empowering young entrepreneurs and emerging leaders.
The summit, held at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, provided a platform for young Nigerians to identify opportunities, build relationships, exchange ideas and connect with entrepreneurs and other professionals from across the country.
The event attracted prominent speakers and personalities from the banking, healthcare, security, business, media and public sectors, who shared insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, preparedness, networking and the importance of youth participation in national development.
Wema Bank: Young People Must Start Now
One of the notable speakers was Oladipo Olutayo, Group Head, High Value Segment and Diaspora Banking at Wema Bank.
Speaking during her session, Olutayo urged young Nigerians not to wait until they attain established positions before taking action or building meaningful relationships.
She emphasised the importance of starting early and developing relationships that could contribute to personal and professional growth.
According to her, the future of Nigeria will be shaped significantly by young people, stressing that Wema Bank is committed to supporting young entrepreneurs as they build sustainable businesses.
She said the bank’s role goes beyond traditional banking, noting that it seeks to support businesses throughout their growth journey.
‘Our Girls Deserve a Culture of Preparedness’
Another speaker, Mebel Abel Onaiwu, highlighted the need to prepare young women and girls to respond effectively to challenges and opportunities.
Onaiwu declared that “our girls deserve a culture of preparedness,” while highlighting partnerships between her organisation, the Lagos Safety Commission and the World Safety Organization.
She called on the government, policymakers and other stakeholders to support the movement and contribute to initiatives designed to improve preparedness and safety among young people.
Dr Adebutu Olorode: Every Problem Can Create an Opportunity
Dr Abiola Adebutu Olorode, Managing Director of Diamed Multi-Specialist Hospital, challenged young Nigerians to change the way they perceive problems.
She noted that problems can often provide opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship.
According to her, education should be viewed as a continuous process of learning and personal development. She encouraged young people to identify problems within their communities and develop practical solutions to address them.
Olorode also urged the youths not to be discouraged by mistakes, but rather to learn from their experiences and use those lessons to improve future projects.
She stressed the importance of executing projects effectively and turning ideas into tangible results.
Former Vice President Osinbajo Engages Young Nigerians
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who currently serves as Global Advisor at the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, also participated in the summit through a virtual session.
His participation added a national leadership perspective to discussions around the role of young Nigerians in shaping the country’s future.
The summit also featured Dr Morayo Afolabi Brown, CEO of Morayo Afolabi Brown Studios and Executive Producer of The Morayo Show.
Brown spoke about the influence of public conversations and the importance of individual responsibility in shaping society.
She noted that conversations can influence how people perceive the world and stressed that prosperity is not created solely by individuals making decisions in isolation, but also by people who contribute to shaping public perception.
She encouraged participants to remain committed, dedicated and loyal wherever they find themselves.
Security as a Foundation for Development
The summit also addressed the critical relationship between security and development.
Dr Ayo Ogunsan, CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, explained that security should not merely be defined as the absence of crime.
According to him, true security involves creating an environment where people’s expectations, aspirations and potential can flourish.
His contribution underscored the importance of creating a safe environment in which young Nigerians can pursue entrepreneurship, education and other productive activities.
Networking, Debates and Awards
Beyond the keynote sessions and presentations, the summit featured debates, games and networking activities designed to encourage interaction among participants.
Awards were presented to deserving participants, while cash prizes were also won through various games and activities.
Chief Mrs Ehiagwina Joy Patric, Group Managing Director of Patjeda Group, was also among the notable personalities present at the event.
The combination of leadership discussions, networking opportunities and entertainment provided participants with an engaging environment for learning and relationship building.
Pastor Andrew Umoru: Opportunity Meets Preparedness
The summit’s message of youth empowerment was further reinforced by Pastor Andrew Umoru, Lead Pastor of International Miracle Service.
Speaking at the event, Umoru emphasised the relationship between opportunity and preparedness, noting that preparedness can ultimately lead to success.
He also prayed for the youths and encouraged them to position themselves to take advantage of opportunities when they arise.
In an interview after the programme, Pastor Umoru expressed his surprise and admiration at the organisation of the leadership summit.
He acknowledged the capacity of young Nigerians to organise and execute meaningful initiatives and pledged his support to the youths.
Why the Ambassador’s National Youth Summit Matters
The Ambassador’s National Youth Summit highlights the growing importance of creating platforms where young Nigerians can connect with experienced professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders.
For many young people, access to the right network, knowledge and mentorship can make a significant difference in transforming ideas into viable projects and businesses.
The messages delivered at the summit also point to a broader lesson: young Nigerians do not necessarily have to wait for perfect conditions before beginning their journey.
Instead, they can start with the resources and knowledge available to them, identify problems within their communities, develop solutions and build relationships that can support their growth.
As Nigeria continues to search for ways to harness the creativity and energy of its youthful population, initiatives such as the Ambassador’s National Youth Summit provide important platforms for dialogue, mentorship, networking and leadership development.
The June 29 gathering in Lagos therefore served not only as a celebration of young Nigerians but also as a reminder that the country’s future depends significantly on how effectively its youths are prepared, empowered and supported to take charge.
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