Eighty young Nigerians have received scholarships and empowerment awards through the National Youth Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Summit (YEEP’25), an initiative of Activate Success International Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) committed to youth development.
The summit, held in Abuja, brought together over 2,300 young participants, including current and former members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), and marked the 10th anniversary of the Foundation.
The event was aimed at equipping young Nigerians with essential tools, mentorship, and access to funding to grow their ventures and contribute to national economic development.
As part of the empowerment, over 50 youths were awarded ₦500,000 each, while three others received ₦1 million each. Additionally, 40 youths with tailoring skills were gifted brand new sewing machines to boost their trade.
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In a show of widespread support, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, donated ₦500,000 each to 37 youths. Crown Luxury Properties extended similar support to 8 corps members in Abuja with ₦500,000 each.
Corporate and political stakeholders also joined in the empowerment drive. Nestlé Nigeria awarded ₦1 million each to 3 youths, while Hon. Desmond Elliot, who represents Surulere State Constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, supported 4 youths with ₦500,000 each.
Further, the Director General of the Rochas Foundation, Ucy Rochas, donated ₦1.2 million to support 2 youths, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) pledged ₦500,000 each to 5 beneficiaries.
The summit highlighted a growing commitment among public and private sector leaders to empower the next generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs and change-makers.
She said: “In a country where over 53% of young Nigerians between the ages of 18
and 35 are either unemployed or underemployed, the urgency of youth
empowerment cannot be overstated. The consequences of untapped potential are far-reaching, not just economically, but socially and nationally.
“When young minds are disengaged, we create fertile ground for frustration, insecurity, and social unrest. But when they are equipped with skills, vision, and opportunity, they become builders of peace, engines of innovation, and pillars of national growth.
“This is the heart of YEEP: to bridge the gap between potential and productivity, and to ensure that every young Nigerian has the chance not just to survive, but to thrive. This gathering is not just another entry on the national calendar. It is a clear and collective statement: that the future of Nigeria is not only discussing, it is worth building, together.
“Young people are not just the future of this nation; they are its greatest asset today. With over 70% of Nigeria’s population under the age of 35, the strength of our nation lies not in its oil or minerals, but in the creativity, resilience, and brilliance of its youth. I believe this not because it is fashionable, but because I have lived it.”
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Speaker,Benjamin Kalu commended the youth for their innovative abilities, saying that the future belongs to them.
He said: “Start early in whatever you want to become. There will be distraction but be focused. Don’t waste your youthful age. And this opportunity offered to you today is an opportunity that so many youths have been looking for. Out of the millions of youths in Nigeria, you were selected to be here. Count yourselves to be blessed. You were chosen out of a whole lot, that is what has distinguished you.
“If everyone here believes that they are blessed, then we have the energy of the youths that will transform this nation and that is what activating success is all about: to inspire and motivate to greater heights. Truly, this nation belongs to those who have the kind of energy that you have because of the power of your mind, the power of your innovative ability.
“Let’s invest it towards transforming our nation. The Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) with my office will partner with Activate Success International Foundation to give grants to selected youths from across the 36 States including the FCT. You will be having something from us”.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Poverty Alleviation, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda who spoke about the efforts of the government to improve the lives of the citizenry also enjoined the youths not to lose hope but believe in the country.
“To all the youths who are here, I want to say that you should be focused. Don’t get distracted. The economy is large. The opportunity is huge and I pray all of you will blossom in this country. Let’s work together. The government is with you. God bless you”, he said.
For the Youth Skills and Economic Empowerment Officer of UNDP, Katherine Ibrahim, the Department will continue to support Medium Scales Enterprises.
“Youth entrepreneurship is not just an economic tool, it is a force for inclusive growth, dignity and national transformation. This is why the UNDP is proud to support youth led MSMEs through several impactful programmes.
“Through the Nigerian Jubilee fellows, which I think is really relevant to our national youth coppers today, we have also placed over 10,000 youths in jobs. These youths also gets paid by UNDP as a support to the challenge of youth unemployment in Nigeria. Beyond this national initiatives, we are especially excited to announce that as part of our commitment to this program and also to youth-led MSMEs in general in Nigeria, we will be supporting 5 MSMEs with 500,000 Naira as matching funding to help scale their businesses and deepen their community impact.
“We do this because we believe that when young people rise, communities are strengthened and nations move forward. So, to every young person here, your ideas are powerful and your solutions are shaping the future of Nigeria. UNDP stands with you as enablers, and most importantly, because we believe in your potential. So, thank you to Activate Success for organizing such an event to showcase our youths”, she said.