30 States Gather for National Youth Conference

At least 30 states are set to attend a youth conference being sponsored by industrialist and philanthropist, Chief Kesington Adebutu.

Adebutu who called for greater youth involvement in nation-building, stated that young Nigerians held the key to unlocking the country’s potential.

The philanthropist, in a statement shared with Saturday PUNCH, explained that his decision to grace The Ambassadors Summit 7.0 through his foundation reflected his belief in the power of youth empowerment to drive national development.

“We need more of our youths to be involved in nation-building and to become good ambassadors of this country. Nigeria is a nation with vast resources, and the youth are key to ensuring that these resources are utilised to the fullest,” Adebutu was quoted to have said.

The summit, themed, ‘Strategic Leadership for Turning Challenges into Opportunities’, will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the Grand Ballroom of the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

The convener of the Joshua Oyeniyi International Foundation, Joshua Oyeniyi, said the event was expected to attract over 5,000 delegates from more than 30 states across the country.

Oyeniyi, who represented Nigeria at the Global Entrepreneurship Event Finals in Washington, D.C. in 2015, said the summit was designed to nurture the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.

“This initiative is about equipping young Nigerians with the skills, mindset, and connections they need to transform challenges into opportunities. It is about building leaders who can think globally and act locally,” he was quoted to have said.

Oyeniyi added that the foundation had consistently invested in scholarships, healthcare facilities, educational initiatives, and community support programmes across the country.

He emphasised that Adebutu had provided opportunities for thousands of young people to succeed through his philanthropy.

Other dignitaries expected at the summit include the Minister of Youth, Ayodele Olawande; the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, First Lady of Lagos State, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; the Group Managing Director of First Bank, Olusegun Alebiosu; and a Board Member of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Ayodele Ogunsan.