More than 200 young professionals, students, new grads, creatives, IT enthusiasts, and aspiring entrepreneurs came together in Lagos, Nigeria, for Meta’s first Youth Summit, themed “Empowering Youth Through Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.”
The summit featured several stimulating panel discussions, a mentoring session, and an engaging workshop aimed at giving young Nigerians the knowledge, connections, and abilities they need to succeed in the tech-driven world of today.
Phil Oduor, Head of Policy Programs for Sub-Saharan Africa, offered the following commentary on the event: “At Meta, we believe that today’s youth are tomorrow’s change-makers. Through initiatives like the Youth Summit, we aim to foster innovation, promote digital literacy and empower young Nigerians with the tools and opportunities to realise their potential and contribute to Nigeria’s growing digital economy.”
Femi Aluko, CEO and Co-founder of Chowdeck gave the keynote address and talked about how he broke down hurdles to succeed in the tech industry. He urged participants to seize the countless opportunities found in the current technological environment.
Nifemi Akinwamide, Head of Operations, Alt School; Adaora Mbelu, Co-Founder of Lumination Global; and Obaloluwa Adeagbo, Marketing Lead at Talstack, participated in a panel discussion chaired by Chinny Francis, Public Policy Manager at Meta. They offered insightful perspectives on the nature of work in the future, stressing the value of storytelling in creating a personal brand, self-awareness exercises, soft skill development, lifelong learning, and problem-solving techniques to succeed in a world that is becoming increasingly digitally connected.
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy’s Francis Sani, Technical Adviser for Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Capital, gave a speech during the function. He emphasized the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, which seeks to establish Nigeria as a net talent exporter and strengthen the country’s technical talent base to propel the digital economy. He urged the younger generation to seize this chance.
Sade Dada, Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa at Meta, chaired the “Lunch and Learn: Navigating Entrepreneurship in a Rapidly Changing Landscape” session, which featured another panel of industry leaders.
The insights provided by Damilola Teidi-Ayoola, Head of Platform and Networks at Ventures Platform Fund, and Seye Bandele, CEO of PaidHR, were important. While Damilola reaffirmed the necessity of comprehending one’s target audience, delivering value through one’s business, and embracing data-driven decision-making in the ever-changing entrepreneurial market, Seye emphasized the significance of grit, curiosity, and candor. Inspiring discussions with prominent personalities in the creative sector were also part of the event.
Salem King, a creator, storyteller, author, and speaker, and Miss Techy, an award-winning tech content creator, offered insights and guidance on attaining sustained success. Additionally, attendees gained from an engaging workshop and a mentoring session where professionals in the field offered helpful tips and tactics for IT enthusiasts and entrepreneurs.
A dedication to promoting positive change, empowering young people, and expanding economic prospects in Nigeria is highlighted during Meta’s Youth Summit 2024. Meta is committed to enabling young Nigerians to prosper in the tech-driven world of today by making investments in important sectors, including the creative industry, digital literacy, economic impact, and youth job training, BrandSpur national news stories report.
