21/09/2026
Business Innovation Summit 2026: Stakeholders charge Nigerian youths to innovate, build, create value
ENUGU — Government officials, business leaders, entrepreneurs and youth development stakeholders have urged Nigerian youths to embrace innovation, acquire relevant skills and focus on creating sustainable solutions to the challenges confronting the country.
The stakeholders made the call 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.
The summit, held under the theme, “Innovate, Build and Scale Up,” brought together government representatives, corporate organisations, entrepreneurs, development partners and young people to explore opportunities in entrepreneurship, technology, employment, investment and economic empowerment.
Participating organisations included 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 challenged Nigerian youths to move beyond consuming technology and begin developing innovative solutions to the country's challenges.
She urged participants to examine the problems within their communities and consider how their knowledge, creativity and skills could be deployed to provide practical solutions.
Also speaking, Ejeh Joshua, Special Assistant to the Enugu State Governor on Research and Publication, said the changing nature of the labour market required young Nigerians to develop the capacity not only to seek employment but also to create opportunities for themselves and others.
He urged youths to become creators and employers while developing skills capable of keeping them relevant in an increasingly competitive economy.
The Director and Convener of IYDI, Ejike Celestine Nnaji, said the summit was conceived to combine knowledge-sharing with practical empowerment for youths, women, students and young entrepreneurs.
Nnaji said the changing business environment, particularly the growing influence of technology and digital platforms, had made it necessary for entrepreneurs to continually adapt and innovate.
According to him, even traditional businesses could leverage digital tools to build audiences, market products and reach customers beyond conventional physical marketplaces.
He said the summit was designed to teach participants “how to survive as an entrepreneur, how to move your business to the next level, and how to innovate.”
Nnaji disclosed that selected students and young entrepreneurs also received direct financial support, while some participants were connected to training and employment opportunities through the summit's corporate partners.
He said Jobberman was providing employment-related training, while the Electric Motor 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 added that the initiative 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 said the organisation was committed to preparing young Nigerians for the workplace and connecting qualified job seekers with employers.
She disclosed that Jobberman had trained hundreds of participants in Enugu, with about 100 women registered for the programme associated with the summit.
According to her, the training focused on employability, soft skills and interpersonal competencies required for effective workplace performance.
Chukwu added that participants were also connected to the Jobberman Alumni Forum, where they could access employment information and receive guidance on job applications.
She commended the organisers and the Enugu State Government for supporting initiatives aimed at developing the capacity of young people.
«“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 returns their primary motivation for venturing into business.
Ogah urged young people to focus on solving genuine problems and creating sustainable value, stressing that businesses built around real needs were better positioned to make lasting contributions to society.
Representing the Chief Executive Officer of Juhel Nigeria Limited, Barr. Ikenna Onogu, encouraged young people to discover their individual talents and strengths rather than attempting to imitate others.
He said every individual possessed unique abilities and a purpose, urging youths to understand themselves, remain authentic and adapt positively to changes.
«“The only thing that is permanent in this world is change. And once there is change, you change — change positively,” he said.»
Onogu further urged young people to remain innovative, creative, hardworking and resilient while maintaining discipline and faith.
The President of the Nnenna Anozie Foundation, Barr. Mrs. Nnenna Anozie, challenged participants to translate the knowledge acquired at the summit into concrete action.
She urged them not to leave the event 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.
Hon. Chidi Concord, who represented the Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial District, also spoke on the importance of youth development, empowerment and purposeful engagement in building a productive society.
The Chief Executive Officer of Autoease Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Oby Okeke, advised entrepreneurs seeking investment to improve the way they present their businesses to potential investors.
She urged business owners to focus their pitches on the value they offer, the problems they solve and the solutions they provide rather than simply asking investors for financial support.
Mrs. Joy Eneorji encouraged participants to take personal responsibility for their progress, stressing the importance of hard work, determination and self-belief.
The Enugu State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, urged young people to remain proactive and resilient, advising them not to allow difficult circumstances to convince them that they were powerless.
Ndukwe described the summit as a platform capable of exposing young people to opportunities, knowledge and networks that could help them navigate the challenges of the present economy.
The Chairman of Igboeze South Local Government Area, Hon. Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, commended the organisers for placing human-capacity development at the centre of the programme.
He said the involvement of government, the private sector and development stakeholders provided participants with access to knowledge, opportunities and practical resources capable of contributing to their personal and economic development.
Practical empowerment
Beyond speeches and panel discussions, the summit featured practical empowerment initiatives aimed at translating ideas into opportunities.
Nnaji disclosed that selected participants received direct financial support, while corporate partners committed to providing training, mentorship and employment-related opportunities.
In one of the interactive sessions, Barr. Ikenna Onogu of Juhel Nigeria Limited presented a ₦100,000 cash gift to a participant who successfully answered a question, explaining that he decided to reward the participant for demonstrating a clear understanding of the subject under discussion.
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 of government, the private sector, civil society and youth-focused organisations.
Among the dignitaries who attended 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, Chief Executive Officer of Electric Motor Vehicle Company; Comr. Ifeanyi C. Okonkwo, Managing Director of Doil Group; Hon. Kenneth Oforma, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor; and Hon. Monday Diamond Ani, Managing Director of the Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), among other government officials, business leaders and stakeholders.
The event featured practical sessions, networking and discussions on employment, entrepreneurship, technology, funding and business development.
The organisers and participating partners reiterated the importance of equipping Nigerian youths with relevant skills, networks and resources to enable them to build sustainable enterprises and contribute meaningfully to economic development.
The summit ultimately provided a platform for participants to move beyond ideas and aspirations towards practical business, employment and career opportunities, with emphasis on innovation, value creation, empowerment and sustainable growth.
