Stakeholders Call For Expanded Funding For Youth Innovation

Stakeholders in education, business and development sectors have called for stronger institutional and private-sector support for youth innovation, entrepreneurship and career development programmes, warning that Nigeria’s future competitiveness depends on early skills exposure and structured mentorship.

The call was made on Wednesday at the Young CEO and Career Discovery Fair 2026, held at the Abuja Enterprise Agency in Abuja, where educators, development practitioners and business leaders gathered under the DreamRise Fest 2026 initiative.

The programme, organised by the Lola Cater Foundation, is part of a nationwide empowerment drive aimed at equipping children and young people with leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity skills.

Speaking on behalf of the Acting Managing Director of the Abuja Enterprise Agency, a representative of the agency said early exposure to entrepreneurship and innovation remains essential for national development.

The representative noted that programmes that combine practical skills training with leadership development would better prepare young Nigerians for a rapidly evolving labour market.

Stakeholders at the event repeatedly stressed the importance of integrating financial literacy, business management and innovation training into early education systems.

A key highlight of the event was the Kidpreneur Pitch Arena, sponsored by the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), where teenage participants presented business and social impact ideas before a panel of judges.

Representing ANAN as mentor, judge and award presenter, Mr Abdulfatai Abdulrauf evaluated the pitches alongside other stakeholders.

The competition awarded cash prizes totalling ₦1 million to the top three participants. The overall winner received ₦500,000, while the first and second runners-up received ₦300,000 and ₦200,000 respectively.

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The exhibition segment drew significant attention, showcasing a range of youth-led innovations and creative products.

Among the exhibits were sanitary pads made from banana stems, handcrafted northern kufi caps produced by a 16-year-old participant, and school bags made from recycled waste materials by students of the Lola Cater Academy at the Karonmajigi IDP Camp.

Other displays included handmade beaded bags, fashion accessories and live henna artwork, underscoring the breadth of creativity among participating youths.

Founder and Executive Director of the Lola Cater Foundation, Mrs Ololade Ogunnubi, said the initiative is designed to help young people identify and develop their potential beyond conventional classroom learning.

“We are raising problem-solvers, innovators and future leaders. The ideas showcased by these children prove that young Nigerians can create solutions when given the right support,” she said.

Some participants said the mentorship sessions were inspiring and boosted their confidence to transform ideas into future business ventures.