Government officials, business leaders, entrepreneurs, youth advocates and development stakeholders have called on Nigerian youths to embrace innovation, acquire relevant skills and focus on creating solutions to the challenges confronting society.
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The call was made at the Business Innovation Summit 2026, organised by the Impact Youth Development Initiative (IYDI) at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu, on Friday, September 18, 2026.
Held under the theme, “Innovate, Build and Scale Up,” the summit focused on equipping young people and women with practical knowledge, entrepreneurial skills, technology-driven business strategies and opportunities for economic empowerment.
The event brought together representatives of government, corporate organisations, development initiatives and the private sector, including Jobberman, Mastercard, Master Energy Group, Juhel Nigeria Limited, Autoease Nigeria Limited and Electric Motor Vehicle Company, among others.
Representing the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, Engr. Dr. Nneka Nwagugu urged young Nigerians to move beyond consuming technology and begin developing solutions to the country’s challenges.
She challenged participants to look at the problems around them and ask how they could use their knowledge and creativity to provide solutions.
Also speaking, Ejeh Joshua, Special Assistant to the Enugu State Governor on Research and Publication, stressed the changing nature of the labour market, urging young people to develop the capacity to create opportunities for themselves and others.
According to him, young Nigerians must increasingly become creators and employers rather than wait solely for conventional employment opportunities.
The Director and Convener of the Impact Youth Development Initiative, Ejike Celestine Nnaji, said the summit was designed to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical empowerment for women, youths, students and young entrepreneurs.
Nnaji explained that the initiative was responding to the changing nature of business, particularly the growing influence of technology and digital platforms.
He noted that even traditional businesses could benefit from digital tools, observing that entrepreneurs could build online audiences and sell their products without depending entirely on physical marketplaces.
He said the summit was aimed at teaching participants “how to survive as an entrepreneur, how to move your business to the next level, and how to innovate.”
Nnaji further disclosed that the programme included direct empowerment, with selected students and young entrepreneurs receiving financial support.
He added that Jobberman was also providing employment-related training, while an electric vehicle company would select and train beneficiaries in the servicing and maintenance of electric vehicles.
“What is actually very special about what we are doing here today is that we are not just talking; we are showing practical things, and we are also empowering,” he said.
He disclosed that the programme was organised in collaboration with partners including Mastercard, Jobberman, Electric Motor Vehicle Company, Uche Ogah Foundation and Master Energy Group.
Representing Jobberman, Dr. Victoria Chukwu explained that the organisation works to prepare young Nigerians for employment while connecting qualified job seekers with employers.
She said Jobberman had trained hundreds of participants in Enugu and disclosed that about 100 women were registered for the particular programme.
According to her, the training covered employability, soft skills and interpersonal competencies required to function effectively in the workplace.
Chukwu said participants were also connected to the Jobberman Alumni Forum, where they could access information about employment opportunities and receive guidance on applications.
She commended the organisers and the Enugu State Government for supporting initiatives focused on youth development.
“Anybody who has the heart for youth has the heart of that nation,” she said.
The President of Master Energy Group, Dr. Uche Sampson Ogah, advised aspiring entrepreneurs against making quick financial gain their primary motivation for going into business.
He urged young people to concentrate on creating sustainable value and solving real problems, warning against building businesses solely around immediate financial returns.
Representing the CEO of Juhel Nigeria Limited, Barr. Ikenna Onogu, encouraged young people to first discover their individual talents and strengths before attempting to imitate others.
He noted that every individual has unique abilities and a purpose, urging youths to understand themselves, remain authentic and adapt positively to changing circumstances.
“The only thing that is permanent in this world is change. And once there is change, you change, change positively,” he said.
He further advised young people to be innovative, creative, hardworking and resilient while maintaining faith and discipline.
The President of the Nnenna Anozie Foundation, Barr. Mrs. Nnenna Anozie, challenged participants to translate the knowledge acquired at the summit into action.
She urged attendees not to leave the venue merely inspired, but to identify practical steps they could immediately take to improve their businesses, careers and communities.
Similarly, Hon. Edeani Maduabuchi, representing the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, described innovation as the ability to identify problems and develop workable solutions to them.
Speaking after the SSG’s representative, Hon. Chidi Concord, who represented the Senator representing the Enugu North Senatorial District, also addressed participants on the importance of youth development, empowerment and purposeful engagement in building a productive society.
Mrs. Oby Okeke, CEO of Autoease Nigeria Limited, advised young entrepreneurs seeking investment to improve the way they present their businesses.
She said entrepreneurs should focus their pitches on the value they bring, the problems they solve and the solutions they offer rather than simply asking investors for money.
Mrs. Joy Eneorji also encouraged participants to take personal responsibility for their progress, stressing the importance of hard work and self-determination.
The Enugu State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP. Daniel Ndukwe, encouraged young people to remain proactive and resilient, urging them not to allow difficult circumstances to convince them that they were powerless.
He described the summit as a platform capable of exposing young people to opportunities, knowledge and networks that could help them navigate current challenges.
Representing the ALGON Chairman and Executive Chairman of Nkanu East LGA, Hon. Sydney Okechukwu Edeh, the Chairman of Igboeze South Local Government Area, and the Deputy Chairman of ALGON,l Hon. Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, commended the emphasis on human-capacity development and the involvement of government and private-sector stakeholders in youth empowerment.
He described the gathering as an opportunity for young Nigerians to gain exposure to knowledge, opportunities and practical resources that could contribute to their personal and economic development.
Beyond speeches and panel sessions, the summit featured practical empowerment initiatives.
Nnaji disclosed that some participants were selected for direct financial support, while corporate partners committed to providing training and mentorship opportunities.
During the programme, Barr. Ikenna Onogu of Juhel Nigeria Ltd also presented a ₦100,000 cash gift after one of the participants successfully responded to a question, explaining that he had decided to reward the person who demonstrated a clear understanding of the issue being discussed.
The Electric Motor Vehicle Company was also identified as one of the partners providing practical technical training opportunities, particularly in the servicing and maintenance of electric vehicles.
The summit attracted representatives from government, the private sector, civil society and youth-focused organisations.
Among the dignitaries who attended the event were Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State, Special Guest of Honour; Ozo Ekene Nnamani, Chairman of the Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue; Prince Mustapha Audu, CEO of Electric Motor Vehicle Company; Comr. Ifeanyi C. Okonkwo, Managing Director of Doil Group; Hon. Kenneth Oforma, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor; and the Managing Director of the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), Hon. Monday Diamond Ani, alongside other government officials, business leaders and stakeholders.
The event concluded with practical sessions, networking and discussions around employment, entrepreneurship, technology, funding and business development.
The organisers and participating partners reiterated the importance of equipping young Nigerians with the skills, networks and resources required to build sustainable enterprises and contribute meaningfully to economic development.
With its emphasis on innovation, practical learning, empowerment and value creation, the Business Innovation Summit 2026 provided a platform for participants to move from ideas and aspirations towards actionable business and career opportunities.
Okpara Augustinepaul Obinna
Media Director Impact youths Development Initiative/Publisher REFMEDIAGIST, Reports.
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