By Michael Obianyo
Comrade Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, has pledged the support of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development for the 10th edition of the Young Leaders Entrepreneurship Conference.
The minister made the commitment during a courtesy visit by the Young Leaders Entrepreneurship Conference team, led by the Executive Director of Yolechub, Dr. Tosin Adesile, at his office in Abuja.
During the meeting, the team briefed the minister on the objectives and impact of the annual entrepreneurship conference, which is aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs and connecting them with industry leaders and opportunities.
Commending the organisers, Olawande praised Dr. Adesile for sustaining the initiative over the past decade.
“Organising an event consistently for 10 years is not an easy task. This shows commitment, passion and dedication towards youth empowerment and entrepreneurship development,” the minister said.
He disclosed that the ministry recently secured a partnership with Meta to strengthen digital skills, entrepreneurship, content creation, innovation and access to global opportunities for young Nigerians.
According to him, the ministry is willing to partner with Yolechub not only for the upcoming conference but also in other areas that would promote youth development and economic empowerment.
“We are ready to collaborate with Yolechub for the annual conference and other possible areas of partnership that will benefit young people across the country,” he added.
Responding, Dr. Adesile appreciated the minister for what he described as his commitment to creating opportunities and expanding access for Nigerian youths.
He noted that the appointment of young people into leadership positions in government was already yielding positive results.
“We are happy that the President entrusted the Ministry of Youth Development to a youthful and energetic leader, and that is responsible for the giant strides we are witnessing in the ministry today,” he said.
Dr. Adesile also thanked the minister for pledging support for the conference and future collaborations.
The Young Leaders Entrepreneurship Conference is a platform designed to inspire, equip and connect aspiring entrepreneurs with established business leaders through mentorship, networking and practical business insights.
The 10th edition of the conference is themed: “Empowering Young Entrepreneurs with Fintech Platforms and SME Financing to Boost Startups for a Smarter Digital Economy.”
The event is scheduled to hold on June 4, 2026, by 9:00 a.m. at the National Open University Conference Hall, Central Business District, Abuja.
