In a move to inspire and equip the next generation of innovators, the Nasir Giwa Mentorship (NGM) platform hosted its fourth annual youth conference, themed “Bold Ideas, Fearless Execution.” The event brought together thousands of students, young professionals, and industry leaders from across Nigeria to share insights on innovation, leadership, and career development.

Turning Ideas into Impact

Speaking at the conference, Mr. Kola Adeshina, Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group and Chairman of Ikeja Electric, encouraged young Nigerians to dream big, develop bold ideas, and push boundaries in business and leadership.

“An idea that cannot be monetised is a useless idea,” Adeshina stressed, emphasizing that practical and economic value is key to sustainable impact.

Similarly, Mr. Niyi Yusuf, Managing Partner at Verraki, urged attendees to adopt a growth mindset, embrace continuous learning, and leverage collaboration and innovation to unlock opportunities and achieve excellence.

Industry Leaders Share Insights

The conference featured presentations from several prominent leaders, including:

• Bashir Koledoye, Founder/MD, Dharmattan Nigeria Limited
• Sarwi Rahaman, Head of Public Sector Sales, Airtel Nigeria
• Fiyin Ogunlesi, Founder, RegalStone Capital
• Idris Ayodeji Bello, Founder, LoftyInc Capital
• Mohammed Bashir-Yunusa, Director, Innovation & Digital Solutions, Alternative Bank
• Rashidat Adebisi, Chief Client Officer, AXA Mansard
• Deepankar Rustagi, Founder/CEO, OmniRetail Technologies
• Temitope Yusuff, Director, Internal Audit & Risk Management, IHS Tower

They emphasized the importance of quality education, continuous training, mentorship, resilience, and collaboration in today’s competitive environment.

Mentorship and Empowerment in Action

Grand Mentor and Convener of the NGM Platform, Engr. Nasir Giwa, highlighted that the initiative is dedicated to equipping young people with practical skills and platforms to succeed.

“At NGM Platform, empowerment is not a theory; it is a practice,” Giwa said.

The conference also featured competitions to reward innovation, including the SME Pitch Competition, Case Study Contest, and Ideas Fair.

• Al-Raheem International School won the Idea Fair for secondary school students with their Food Bank concept.
• The SME Pitch winner received ₦1 million, with first and second runners-up earning ₦750,000 and ₦500,000, respectively—cash prizes sponsored by Alternative Bank and matched by LoftyInc Capital.
• Adil Gbadegesin and Hameedat Imran won the Case Study contest for their project “The Rite Approach: Conquering African Markets.”

The conference concluded with networking sessions and mentorship sign-ups, creating opportunities for lasting professional relationships between experienced mentors and emerging talents.