Nigerian youths are urged to stop social media complaints and build transformative solutions during a recent Lagos mentorship event.
Hundreds of undergraduates, young professionals, and entrepreneurs gathered in Lagos State to attend the fifth edition of the Nasir Giwa Mentorship Conference, held under the theme, Building the Future: The Urgency of Now.
Speakers at the event challenged the younger generation to stop lamenting over national difficulties on social media platforms, urging them instead to treat economic hurdles as fertile ground for innovation and enterprise, according to information published by punchng.
The landmark gathering coincided with the 10th anniversary of the Nasir Giwa Mentorship platform, serving as a vital bridge connecting classroom theory with practical, real-world execution for aspiring business leaders.
Nasir Giwa Mentorship Conference in Lagos
Addressing the eager participants, the founder of NGM, Nasir Giwa, advised young people to avoid spending quality time arguing online and instead collaborate with friends on productive ventures.
Giwa emphasized that whatever challenges Nigeria faces today should be viewed as an opportunity to build sustainable enterprises, reminding attendees that historical periods of difficulty often precede massive innovations.
Sahara Power Group advice on internal refineries
Adding his voice to the discourse, the Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, Kola Adesina, urged the younger generation to shun despair and focus on exploring the potential of their own minds.
Drawing an analogy to domestic oil refining, Adesina stated that every individual possesses an internal refinery capable of converting raw ideas into finished products that can power the national economy.
He criticized the widespread bandwagon of complaints among citizens, noting that true wealth is generated strictly by providing practical answers to pressing societal needs.
Future Africa CEO stresses real-world problem solving
The Chief Executive Officer of Future Africa, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, stressed that Nigerian youths must build the necessary capacity to become genuine problem solvers rather than merely having ideas without output.
Aboyeji warned against the common misconception that money is the sole prerequisite for solving problems, emphasizing that enduring ventures are built around people and practical execution.
DARE Nigeria Challenge funding young innovators
A major highlight of the Lagos conference was the grand finale of the NGM and Kola Adesina DARE Nigeria Challenge alongside the SME pitch competition, designed to fund bold young innovators.
Adesina commended finalists for focusing on critical human needs such as healthcare, water supply, food security, and clothing, promising sustained post-competition backing and mentorship from experienced leaders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the theme of the fifth Nasir Giwa Mentorship Conference?
The fifth edition of the Nasir Giwa Mentorship Conference held in Lagos State was themed Building the Future: The Urgency of Now.
Who urged Nigerian youths to refine their internal minds?
Kola Adesina, the Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, urged youths to refine their internal minds to produce solutions that power the economy.
What is the goal of the DARE Nigeria Challenge?
The DARE Nigeria Challenge, established by Kola Adesina and Nasir Giwa, aims to fund, mentor, and support bold young innovators developing scalable business models.
What did Iyinoluwa Aboyeji say about problem solving?
Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, CEO of Future Africa, stated that youths must build capacity to become real-world problem solvers rather than relying solely on money to build lasting ventures.
