Amb. Jurriaan Middelhoff, Ambassador for Youth, Education, and Work at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
What does it take for young Nigerians to thrive as entrepreneurs?
In a country brimming with energy, talent, and drive, the answer lies in building systems that not only spark innovation but sustain it.
Earlier this month, stakeholders from across Nigeria’s entrepreneurship landscape gathered at the Lagos Continental Hotel for the launch of the Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Mapping Report, a research-led initiative by FATE Institute. Themed “Unlocking Opportunities: Strengthening Nigeria’s Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem,” the event spotlighted the challenges, opportunities, and untapped potential within Nigeria’s rapidly evolving business environment.
As an organisation committed to meaningful youth engagement in policy and programming, NGYouthSDGs was proud to be represented by our Programmes Manager, Opeyemi Ogundeji. Our mission is rooted in ensuring young people not only lead but also thrive. This event offered the perfect space to align voices and visions toward that goal.
With Nigeria’s median age at just 18, young people are undeniably the engine of the country’s future. From agriculture and healthcare to renewable energy, youth-led enterprises are reshaping Nigeria’s economy. But beneath the momentum lie real obstacles: limited access to capital, policy bottlenecks, and skill gaps that continue to stifle growth. The new report, drawing insights from eight states and three key sectors, offers a data-rich, reality-driven snapshot of where Nigeria’s youth entrepreneurship ecosystem currently stands. It categorises Lagos, Ogun, and Kaduna as mature ecosystems, while identifying states like Ekiti, Kogi, Abia, and Edo as emerging hubs. Key gaps highlighted include inadequate financial support, limited policy implementation, and a need for tailored mentorship and post-program support.
Among the most powerful voices at the event were youth entrepreneurs themselves. From digital marketing to women-led health tech solutions, their stories illustrated what it means to build not just businesses, but movements. They shared the power of entrepreneurship to lift communities, heal wounds, and reimagine possibility, even amidst constraints. From the fireside chat with Amb. Jurriaan Middelhoff and SMEDAN DG Charles Odii, to the policy-packed panel discussion featuring NACCIMA, LSETF, and Orange Corners Nigeria, one message rang clear: entrepreneurship must be inclusive, well-supported, and youth-centred.
Recommendations included:
Creating youth-friendly funding mechanisms
Establishing local innovation hubs in underserved communities
Reducing tax and collateral burdens on young founders
Providing gender-responsive, equity-free grants
Enhancing market access through platforms like AfCFTA
NGYouthSDGs Programmes Manager, Opeyemi Ogundeji.
At NGYouthSDGs, we believe that youth entrepreneurship is a powerful lever for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). That’s why we’re working to amplify youth voices in policy spaces, scale digital and practical training through programmes like our Youth Activators Lab and Sustainable Innovation Lab, and foster environments where youth-led businesses can thrive.
The Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Mapping Report is more than a publication, it’s a blueprint for building systems that are responsive, inclusive, and sustainable. It’s a rallying cry for collaboration between government, development partners, financial institutions, and the very people who make up the engine of our economy: young Nigerians.
Conclusion:
If Nigeria is to unlock its full potential, young entrepreneurs must be at the centre of every conversation about economic growth. With the right support, tools, and access, they won’t just build businesses, they will build resilient communities and a more equitable future. Let’s keep building a Nigeria where every young person has a real shot at success.
Want to learn more?
Dive into the full Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Mapping Report here. Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Mapping Report
