Over 3,000 young Nigerians gathered at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos for the seventh edition of the Ambassadors Summit, a platform designed to equip youths with leadership skills, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
The event, themed “Strategic Leadership for Turning Challenges into Opportunities,” featured a lineup of prominent figures from government, business, philanthropy, and technology, all united in their call for greater youth involvement in nation-building.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, delivered a goodwill message through his Senior Special Assistant on Establishment and Training, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Atanda. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustained investment in youth empowerment, describing young people as the state’s most valuable asset.
“Young people are our future, and their empowerment must remain at the heart of national planning,” the governor said. “We will continue to support initiatives that prepare them for innovation, leadership, and service.”
The governor’s remarks resonated with participants, many of whom attended the summit in search of inspiration, guidance, and strategies to thrive in Nigeria’s evolving socio-economic climate.
In his keynote address, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria, Olusegun Alebiosu, spoke on “Leading through Financial Uncertainty: Strategies for Sustaining Growth in Turbulent Times.” He stressed the importance of financial literacy, resilience, and self-discipline in navigating challenges.
“Finance is the most important factor of production in the 21st century,” Alebiosu said. “To thrive, you must sharpen your skills, invest wisely, avoid herd mentality, and above all, seek divine guidance.”
Technology and innovation also took center stage with a presentation by Amazon USA Product Leader, Ahmed Ogundimu. He spoke on harnessing artificial intelligence to solve pressing challenges and expand opportunities for Nigerian youths.
Ogundimu was among several honorees recognized for contributions to technology, innovation, and product development. His award, alongside others, highlighted the summit’s focus on celebrating excellence and inspiring future innovators.
Other dignitaries present included the Minister of Youth, Hon. Ayodele Olawande; Lagos First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; and the event chairman, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan. Experts such as Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, Dr. Ayodele Oni, and Mr. Mustapha Ewenla also shared insights on adaptive leadership and national development.
Chief Kesington Adebutu, sponsor of the summit, was represented by his daughter, Dr. Abiola Olorode. He urged young people to embrace vision, courage, and wisdom in leadership, emphasizing that wealth only becomes meaningful when used for the greater good.
Dr. Olorode reinforced the message by recalling life lessons from her father. She spoke on the importance of integrity, hard work, financial discipline, and faith in God, urging participants to apply these principles in their personal and professional lives.
Convener of the summit, Dr. Joshua Oyeniyi, described the event as a transformative platform for youth empowerment. He said the 2025 theme, SURGE, was a call to turn adversity into opportunities through innovation, collaboration, and strategic decision-making.
“This gathering marks a significant milestone in our collective journey to drive youth development,” Oyeniyi said. “My hope is that the summit will serve as a catalyst for breakthroughs in leadership and a reminder of the capacity of young people to shape their future.”
At the close of the summit, participants expressed optimism that the lessons learned would help them build resilience, expand networks, and embrace leadership opportunities. For many, Ambassadors Summit 7.0 was not just an event but a defining moment for their future.
