Nigerian youths have been urged to harness opportunities in technology, agribusiness, talent development and the digital economy to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses and wealth.
The call was made at the 2026 Positive Impact Summit (PIS), organised by the Divine Motivation for Positive Impact Initiative (DMPI) in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, August 29.
Themed “Turning Ideas Into Wealth,” the fifth edition attracted about 800 youths, entrepreneurs and development stakeholders.
The convener and founder of DMPI, Dr. Gbenga Emiloju, urged young Nigerians to move beyond having ideas to developing and commercialising them.
“The journey should move from thought to concept, from concept to solution, from solution to value, from value to income and ultimately wealth. An idea remains useless if it is not translated into action,” Emiloju said.
He encouraged youths to identify problems in their communities and develop innovative solutions, while urging entrepreneurs to start small, improve their products and scale gradually rather than wait for substantial capital.
Emiloju also stressed the importance of social media, artificial intelligence and digital technology in promoting products and accessing wider markets.
“Nigeria has a huge population and, by extension, a huge market for innovative products and services. Young people should focus on creating value rather than allowing the country’s challenges to discourage them.”
According to Emiloju, the summit, conceived 10 years ago, has provided mentoring, capacity building and financial support to young entrepreneurs.
Since 2020, about 69 beneficiaries have received grants ranging from N50,000 to N400,000, alongside mentoring and business assessment.
The Ekiti State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Olapeju Babafemi, urged youths to remain resilient despite the country’s economic challenges.
“The life story of Dr. Emiloju shows that young people can overcome setbacks and turn difficult experiences into opportunities to make a positive impact.”
Babafemi described the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji as youth-focused and called for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to empower young people.
She also urged relevant authorities to consider calls for tax incentives for young entrepreneurs while exploring other measures to support emerging businesses.
Engr. Simon Adeniyi, one of the patrons of the Divine Motivation for Positive Impact Initiative (DMPI), encouraged young Nigerians to believe in their ideas, develop their skills and take practical steps towards building sustainable enterprises.
“An idea becomes valuable when it is backed by action, discipline and a willingness to learn. I encourage our youths not to wait for perfect conditions or enormous capital before starting. Identify a problem, create a solution, start from where you are and remain committed to growing it,” Adeniyi said.
A major highlight of the summit was the presentation of N5 million in grants to 13 businesses to strengthen and expand their operations.
The event also featured awards for outstanding contributors to DMPI and a panel session examining opportunities in artificial intelligence, talent development, agribusiness and the digital economy.
