By Ebuka Uchegbu

As nations worldwide proudly flaunt their unique symbols of pride, Nigerians must ask: What is our brand? For Americans, it’s their groundbreaking technology; for Italians, their culinary genius; and the French, their exquisite fashion. These national icons are more than just products. They represent the heart and soul of their people. So, what defines Nigeria? What do we proudly present to the world?

At its core, Nigeria’s greatest asset is its young population. Years ago, the British Council cautioned that if Nigeria failed to tap into its youthful demographic powerhouse, we could face a “demographic disaster.” Thankfully, many young Nigerians have stepped forward, turning that potential into purpose, as well as driving change and inspiring others.

They are trailblazing luminaries who have invested their time, resources, and energy into making lasting social impacts and now stand as shining examples of the leadership Nigeria and the continent of Africa desperately need. As we celebrate our 64th Independence, there is no greater time to recognize their remarkable contribution to turning the tide.

Moses Siloko Siasia

From humble beginnings as a street hawker to a prominent businessman and social advocate, Moses Siasia’s impact is nothing short of commendable. Through sheer determination and hard work, he built Mosilo Group, a successful conglomerate with investments in engineering, real estate, oil and gas, agro-processing, and equipment leasing. The company has footprints across Nigeria, creating employment opportunities for numerous professionals, including expatriates and raising the bar for human capacity advancement in Nigeria.

Beyond business, Siasia’s passion for empowering the next generation is evident through his founding of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF) in 2013, a Non-Governmental Organization for young, ambitious Nigerians to build capacities and gain exposure to global networking opportunities. With over 53 summits, conferences, and workshops held both in Nigeria and the Diaspora, the NYPF has attracted high-profile attendees, including a serving Nigerian President and former Heads of State. At 35, Siasia contested Bayelsa State’s 2015 Governorship election as the youngest candidate, securing the third-highest votes among 23 contenders. His influence extends beyond politics and business as he has been hosted by prominent institutions like the U.S. Department of African Affairs and global media giants such as the Financial Times and the New York Times.

He is also the Chairman of Heritage Times HT, – a pan-African online news platform committed to amplifying African voices – through which he shapes positive narratives about the African continent. What’s more, Siasia tirelessly throws his weight behind proactive progress as evidenced by his annual programme in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region called the Niger Delta MSME Summit which has created an enormous impact and birthed thousands of entrepreneurs. “Until we prioritise human capital and skills development, I’m afraid the problems that plague us as a country and continent will continue to persist,” is the philosophy underpinning his quests.

Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji

Think of a powerhouse in social entrepreneurship, youth development and public leadership, think of Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji! She began her service impact as a Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Youth Development in Ogun State but soon carved her path by founding Rise Networks, an organisation focused on building the intellectual capacity of young Nigerians.

A pioneer in EdTech, Toyosi established Passnownow in 2012, a platform designed to bring curriculum-compliant educational content to the fingertips of underserved secondary school students via the comfort of mobile devices. She is also active in the field of Artificial Intelligence, earning global recognition, including a spot among the Top 30 Global AI Ambassadors by Swiss Cognitive.

Her leadership also extends into the humanitarian field. As the chair of the Victims Support Fund COVID-19 Task Force, Toyosi was at the forefront of providing essential relief to millions of displaced people across Northern Nigeria. Her efforts, alongside General Theophilus Danjuma, brought much-needed food, medical supplies, and educational resources to some of the country’s most vulnerable populations. It is no wonder Forbes named her one of the 20 Most Powerful Young Women in Africa and former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama praised her as a source of inspiration. Beyond her professional achievements, Toyosi is a towering icon to young women and girls who she encourages to dream big while grounding their ambitions in realism. In her words, “Our ambitions and dreams as women have to operate within the ambits of reason. We’ve got to be realistic.”

Linus Okorie

Popularly known as “Mr Leadership,” Linus Okorie is a towering figure in leadership development, with over two decades of championing the cause of good leadership in public and corporate governance, earning a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most trusted voices in leadership excellence. His influence stretches across borders, where his advocacy for sound leadership principles has impacted countless individuals and institutions.

Linus is the Founder and President of Guardians of the Nation International (GOTNI), a non-profit organization committed to building leadership capacity in youths, elected officials, and the general public through 15 distinct leadership programs.

For Linus, leadership is not a title but a way of life, and as he often points out, “Nations that have made progress are nations that invested in the leadership capital of their young people. Therefore, we must, as a nation, get our leadership right: we need good leaders and leaders for good.”

Summy Smart Francis

This young enterprising individual is to African entrepreneurship what Langston Hughes is to African-American literature — a trailblazer whose influence is both profound and far-reaching. Known as Nigeria’s first doctor of entrepreneurship, Summy Smart Francis’ passion for business began at the age of 14 while working at his father’s hotel in Lagos. By 17, he was already managing one of its branches. Early in his entrepreneurial journey, Summy faced obstacles due to limited capital and resources. However, the challenges became the catalyst for founding Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs (AYE). Today, as President of AYE, Summy leads the largest network of young entrepreneurs across the continent, with a clear mission to empower others through his hard-earned wisdom.

AYE has since blossomed into a movement, creating offshoots like Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs Empowerment Nigeria (AYEEN), which supports thousands of small businesses and has numerous other groundbreaking initiatives with milestones like the AYE Reality TV Show which reaches over 36 million viewers across Africa, while the AYE Annual Convention holds the record for hosting the continent’s largest gathering of entrepreneurs with over 10,000 attendees. Summy’s influence extends to students as well through the Africa’s Young Entrepreneurs Student’s Association (AYESA), a program that introduces undergraduates to the world of entrepreneurship.

What’s more, Summy serves as an Adviser to Ondo State Government on Entrepreneurship and is the Project Lead of the upcoming world’s largest entrepreneurship event known as the Global Entrepreneurship Festival #GEF2024. The event set to be held in Akure, the capital city of Ondo state from the 22nd to 24th of November is expected to bring together aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), international institutions and multinational corporations into the same space. It ultimately promises a vibrant showcase of diverse entrepreneurial journeys, thought-provoking discussions and invaluable networking opportunities to drive global entrepreneurship forward.

Ikenga Ugochinyere

Show me a prominent Nigerian politician, lawyer, and social advocate endowed with derring-do, chutzpah and peerless intelligence and I will show you Ikenga Ugochinyere. Spotlight on his advocacy began with his role as President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), where he championed the involvement of youth in governance and was known for his unwavering commitment to democratic principles and social justice.

Ugochinyere rose to national prominence as the spokesperson for the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), where he led efforts to defend Nigeria’s democratic processes, notably via strident opposition to the manipulation of electoral processes. In 2022, he exposed a clandestine attempt to compromise Nigeria’s voters’ register and undermine the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), an attempt that sparked national outrage. His fearless stance against political corruption has not only earned him admiration but also made him a target of political attacks, including a violent assault on his home in 2023.

Currently a member representing Ideato Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, his legislative agenda is equally as impactful as his activism. You will find him consistent with sponsoring key motions and bills that champion youth welfare/inclusion, infrastructural development and environmental proection.

Samson Itodo

Samson Itodo is shaping the future of African politics with a bold vision for youth inclusion. A lawyer and the founder of Yiaga Africa, Samson has been consistent with ensuring that young voices are not just heard but amplified in the political arena, and ensuring that elections across the continent remain transparent and fair.

One of his crowning achievements is the #NotTooYoungToRun campaign, a groundbreaking initiative that successfully lowered the age requirement for elective office in Nigeria. What started as a national movement quickly gained global recognition, influencing policies at the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS.

He has also led democracy projects and election observer missions across multiple African nations, ensuring fair and transparent democratic processes. Currently serving on the boards of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) and the Kofi Annan Foundation, Samson is deeply involved in efforts to reduce electoral violence and foster peace.

Hamzat Lawal

Hamzat Lawal’s journey into activism began with a simple act of service — knocking on doors as a Boy Scout to promote environmental cleanups in his community. Today, he’s a force to be reckoned with in the world of social advocacy, bringing urgent issues to the forefront. Hamzat’s passion for environmental justice became evident in 2012 when he led a powerful grassroots campaign exposing the government’s inaction on a lead poisoning disaster in Zamfara that claimed over 700 children’s lives. His determination resulted in securing $5.3 million in government aid, saving 1,500 children in the Bagega community.

Since then, Hamzat’s influence has blossomed. As the founder of Connected Development (CODE), he’s revolutionising government accountability through technology and data. His signature initiative, Follow The Money, empowers citizens to track government spending on education, healthcare, and water access in Nigeria and across eight other African countries. With over 6,500 volunteers spread across the continent, Hamzat is training a new generation of activists who are using open data to demand transparency and justice from their governments.

Beyond CODE, Hamzat’s voice resonates on the larger stage of climate advocacy. He serves on the Executive Board of the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change, where he’s advising campaigns that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His role in movements like Not Too Young To Run reflects his belief in the power of youth to drive political change. He is passionate about nurturing their potential, believing they can lead transformative change and create a better society for all. It’s no surprise then that he asserts with conviction, “I want to empower as many young activists as I can.”

Associate Professor Ahmed Adamu

Meet Associate Professor Ahmed Adamu, a Nigerian petroleum economist, lecturer, and certified Brain Coach. He’s not just shaping young minds at Nile University; he is also igniting their potential as leaders and thinkers. Adamu has a knack for unlocking people’s hidden talents. He has trained countless professionals and students, teaching them how to boost their leadership skills, personal development, and even their brainpower.

In 2013, Adamu made history as the first global chairperson of the Commonwealth Youth Council. He led the organisation for three years, inspiring young people from around the world. What’s more, he is an author, motivational speaker, and mentor. As an oil and gas economic consultant, he has helped governments improve their policies and train their employees.

Despite losing the 2018 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary for Katsina Central seat in the Federal House of Representatives, Adamu’s commitment to making a difference remained unwavering. He believes that true leadership isn’t just about holding a title; it’s about taking action. “Too many young people think that leadership is only about getting a government job and spend so much on sycophant activities to acquire public office. Instead, they can become effective leaders by taking actions to change people’s lives and even influence decision-making and institutions through democratic processes,” Adamu asserts.

Ismaeel Ahmed

Ismaeel Buba Ahmed embodies the spirit of youthful leadership in Nigeria and is known to ignite change with every endeavour. A lawyer by profession and a champion for personal advancement, he founded the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Forum, leading it as chairman from 2013 to 2018.

His dedication didn’t stop at the youth forum. Appointed as Senior Special Assistant on the National Social Investments Programme by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017, Ismaeel played a pivotal role in implementing Nigeria’s most extensive social intervention program, benefiting over 12 million Nigerians. A thought leader in social development, he passionately advocates for the transformative power of social interventions in developing nations, demonstrating that impactful change begins at the grassroots level.

Currently a member of the Board of Trustees of Nigeria’s ruling party, the APC, Ismaeel remains committed to shaping policies that uplift communities. His work has earned him prestigious awards, including the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) global 100 under 40, the Social Protection Advocate Award (South Africa), Anti-Drug Abuse Ambassador Award, among numerous others that recognise his efforts at leadership and social transformation.