Youth participation significant to enhancing Nigeria's GDP

Over the past few years, young people across most industries have provided remarkable proactive action, employing innovation, technology, and entrepreneurial dynamism to reshape their place in the national economy.

In such fields as technology startups and agricultural businesses, creative industries, and digital services, young entrepreneurs are not only filling vital gaps but also driving sustainable growth through job creation and value addition.

Their strategic positioning within such industries generates a vibrant ecosystem that enhances productivity, facilitates investment, and induces economic diversification.

This fresh young innovation is central to the decline in unemployment rates because more youth are enabled to shape their own opportunities, thereby relieving the strain on traditional job markets.

Moreover, such high youth participation is significant in contributing to increased Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through the creation of an environment for entrepreneurship and technological innovation. With young entrepreneurs introducing scalable solutions and innovative business models, they attract domestic and foreign investments, increasing economic resilience and global competitiveness. Their role in the creation of a knowledge-based economy contributes to national development goals, ultimately resulting in an inclusive and resilient economic setting. This strategic youth engagement emphasizes the greatest importance of nurturing young talent as they become the main drivers of growth, employment, and sustainable development.

These are three entrepreneurial inspirations who, propelled by the desire to impact their country, utilized their knowledge and experience to transform Nigeria from the ground up.

1. Owolabi Oyebode Ayorinde - Iragbiji-born businessperson and philanthropist Owolabi Oyebode Ayorinde is Nigeria's water sector pioneer, driven by a persistent passion to save lives and revolutionize the lives of underserved communities. Born on 19th November 1987 in Ibadan and raised in the modest environments of Iragbiji, Ayorinde's journey from modest beginnings to a key player in the water revolution of Nigeria is a reflection of perseverance, resourcefulness, and committed passion for society's advancement.

Having started his professional life at the age of 25, Owolabi Ayorinde was spurred by the acute lack of accessible, safe, and affordable clean water—a fundamental human right—especially in rural communities of Nigeria where waterborne disease claims lives with frequency. His passion for changing this fact has earned him the reputation of being a pioneer and change driver in the water sector.

Ayorinde's resolve to drive solutions pushed him to establish Crystal Water Technology Limited in November 2018, a company whose vision is to transform the treatment and management of water in Nigeria. His efforts soon gained roots in the sector, and today he is collaborating with government organizations and blue-chip corporations. One of his path-breaking initiatives is the design and installation of cost-effective water treatment systems that reduce significantly water and electricity consumption, thereby extending clean water to more communities and industries.

One of his most notable achievements is the successful implementation, execution, and monitoring of Total Cost of Operation (TCO) projects in five Nigerian Breweries plants—a success that has conserved an estimated 10,000 cubic meters of water and 15,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per week per plant. These projects not only demonstrate his technical expertise but also his commitment to sustainability and resource conservation—values that are highly in line with Nigeria's development goals.

Owolabi Ayorinde was motivated by a desire to serve Nigeria's most vulnerable groups—those who perish and even die due to the lack of access to clean water. His collaborations with government and private sector actors aim to bridge the gap in water access, with a dream to bring these life-saving interventions to more areas of Nigeria and eventually, the world.

Despite the lack of formal awards, Owolabi’s impact is evident in the lives he has touched and the industry standards he has helped set. His work embodies the spirit of a pioneer—an innovator whose initiatives are transforming Nigeria’s water landscape and setting a blueprint for sustainable development.

Apart from his career activities, Owolabi is also a practicing farmer in real estate and agriculture, another example of his passion for economic empowerment and community development.

As he continues to expand his business reach beyond Nigeria, Owolabi Oyebode Ayorinde is driven by a simple yet strong mission: to eradicate water shortages and improve the standard of life for Nigeria's most vulnerable. He is an inspiration of how passion, tenacity, and a genuine desire to serve others can convert adversity into opportunity, making him a business leader but also a true pioneer in Nigeria's quest for sustainable water solutions.

2. Benjamin Justice Soghie - Benjamin Justice Soghie is a strategy consultant, coach, trainer, author, and investor. He is the founder and CEO of E.I.A Concept Limited, a trusted business that offers free investment information for clients spanning across the globe.

He started his major career as a Director at the Economic Initiative of Africa, where he became the Head of the division at 23. In 2009, he pulled together a group of investors and founded Apex Up limited

Benjamin believes the solution to the economic problems faced by Nigeria And other countries in the world lies in the confines of entrepreneurship.

He is also the founder of Benjamin Justice Soghie Foundation, an organisation that aids less prevailed communities.

In conversation with TVC news, He speaks about nothing is more important than one's "ability to do through numbers, experience, expertise (and) intelligence." he further advises on developing the entrepreneurship value and adds, "Always lead with numbers and the tangible value you offer."

3. Suleiman Mustapha - is a renowned talent manager and businessperson in Dei Dei, Abuja, has grown to become even more prominent in Nigeria's developing entertainment and business landscape by carving out a great niche in community outreach and talent development through his strategic platform. Born on 2nd February 1994 to Hauwa Suleiman, he is from the Amac Local Government Area of the Federal Capital Territory, and his formative years were spent with a very keen interest in sports and community service. His educational journey witnessed him move from LEA Saburi Primary School, Abuja, to Onic International College in Kaduna before he went to Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, which served as the academic pedestal for his entrepreneurial pursuits.

Since entering the corporate scene in 2016, Suleiman has demonstrated a unique talent for identifying and nurturing talent while, in the process, giving back to his community. His work is beyond the typical talent management; he is also renowned for youth empowerment and contributing to local initiatives towards socio-economic development. His community work has earned him awards from government institutions for his role in empowering the youth and talent development in the region.

Throughout his career, Suleiman has also gained a reputation for his performances outside of Nigeria, especially in Dubai, where he presented Nigerian talent to the global stage. His contributions to the entertainment world and his commitment to community development have made him a leading figure in his line of work, but he is still humble in his quest to create viable opportunities for young talents and entrepreneurs.

Although his accolades are many, his greatest achievement remains the way he has managed to positively influence his line of business and society at large, providing a good environment where the best minds can thrive and contribute to societal advancement. As an entrepreneur and talent manager, Suleiman Mustapha continues to demonstrate that visionary planning and community development initiatives are the drivers of sustainable development in Nigeria's dynamic socio-economic landscape.

Source: Legit.ng