The upcoming Osun Youth Conference in Osogbo is set to bring together some of Nigeria’s most influential figures, including the Minister of Youth, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, business mogul Hajia Bola Shagaya, Dr. Charles Odii, Director General of SMEDAN, and lawyer Barrister Pelumi Olajengbesi.
The event will also witness the launch of the Dr. Deji Adeleke Youth Entrepreneurship Resource Centre — a project spearheaded by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s elder brother, Dr. Deji Adeleke. The initiative is expected to serve as a permanent hub for innovation, capacity building, and entrepreneurial development in Osun State.
Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Mobilisation and convener of the conference, Comrade Oyewale Segun, described the forthcoming event as a turning point in Osun’s commitment to youth empowerment. He explained that the two-day gathering will revolve around the theme “The Power of Youth: Rethinking Leadership, Entrepreneurship & Digital Inclusion in Nation Building.”
Segun noted that the conference is designed to spark critical conversations and actionable ideas that address the real struggles of young Nigerians — from access to funding and leadership inclusion to business growth and digital participation.
He revealed that the first day will focus on entrepreneurship training and empowerment, supported by partnerships with SMEDAN, the Bank of Industry (BOI), and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Over 500 young entrepreneurs are expected to benefit from free CAC business registration and capacity-building sessions.
The second day, he said, will feature the main conference and an award ceremony that will bring together innovators, policymakers, and thought leaders to inspire a new era of youth-driven leadership and sustainable development.
Segun urged young people in Osun to see the conference as more than a routine event, describing it as a movement for change and possibility. “We want Osun youth to see this as a platform where their voices matter, where ideas are transformed into action, and where dreams gain direction,” he said.
He added that the goal of the event is to strengthen the collaboration between government, private institutions, and the entrepreneurial community while positioning Osun as a model for youth-driven growth and innovation across Nigeria.
