Follow Us on Google
By Christian Agadibe
Youth Employ & Development Initiative is set to return to the University of Abuja for the much-anticipated Global Youth Forum (GYF) Homecoming 2026 as part of activities marking the organisation’s 10th anniversary celebration.
The event, themed “Reconnecting, Reigniting and Redefining Impact,” will hold on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at the University of Abuja Main Campus, Giri, Abuja.
Organisers say the event is expected to attract over 1,500 participants, including students, entrepreneurs, policymakers, development partners, and young professionals from different parts of Nigeria.
Founded in 2016 by Akin Akinbisola during his days as a student in the Faculty of Agriculture, the Youth Employ & Development Initiative has grown from a campus-based vision into a national youth empowerment platform focused on entrepreneurship, employability, leadership, mentorship, and innovation.
Over the years, the organisation has reportedly impacted more than 10,000 young Nigerians through various empowerment programmes and capacity-building initiatives.
Other News
Speaking ahead of the event, founder Akin Akinbisola described the homecoming as a symbolic return to where the vision first began.
“This is more than an anniversary celebration for us,” he said. “It is a moment to return to the place where the dream started, reconnect with young people, and inspire a new generation to believe in innovation, leadership, and impact.”
He added that the event would also serve as the official launch of the Global Youth Forum (GYF), a new platform designed to drive conversations and opportunities around enterprise, sustainable development, innovation, and youth leadership across Africa.
“We want young people to see that ideas born on campus can grow into movements that create national impact,” Akinbisola stated. “The goal is to build a platform where youths can learn, connect, collaborate, and create solutions for the future.”
The event will feature keynote speeches, business pitch sessions, innovation showcases, networking opportunities, and empowerment programmes specially designed for students and young entrepreneurs.
Expected speakers and partners include representatives from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Abuja Enterprise Agency, International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
Organisers say the gathering will not only celebrate a decade of impact but also open new opportunities for young Nigerians seeking growth, mentorship, and meaningful connections.
