A youth-focused energy summit scheduled to hold on November 20 is targeting the creation of a 100 million-strong network of young people through collaboration with industry leaders, government agencies, educational institutions and other public organisations.
The summit is part of the activities lined up for the inaugural Nigeria NOW! Global Investors Expo 2026, organised by EnergyNet with the support of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development.
Speaking during the official launch of the expo in Abuja on Thursday, EnergyNet Portfolio Manager and Head of Corporate Development, Abdoulaye Sylla, said the Youth Energy Summit was designed to increase the involvement of young Nigerians in the country’s economic and energy development.
Sylla explained that the initiative would provide young people with opportunities to connect with key stakeholders who could contribute to their professional growth and career development.
He disclosed that between 500 and 600 delegates from different parts of the world are expected to attend the inaugural expo, adding that EnergyNet plans to establish the event as an annual investment platform in Nigeria.
According to him, Nigeria has failed to attract foreign direct investment in proportion to the opportunities available in its economy over the past 15 years. He said the expo was created to help bridge that gap by bringing together international investors, development finance institutions, technology companies and project developers.
The investment platform will focus on critical sectors including energy, mining, infrastructure and airports, with discussions expected to centre on specific projects and ways to speed up their implementation.
Also speaking, the Youth Energy Summit (YES!) Nigeria ambassador, Damilola Balogun, said the summit would give young Nigerians a stronger role in shaping sustainable development.
Balogun noted that achieving Nigeria’s target of net-zero emissions by 2060 under the country’s Energy Transition Plan would require young people to have access to appropriate skills, training and career opportunities.
He added that the summit would connect Nigerian youths with partners and stakeholders participating in the Nigeria NOW! investment initiative.
In his remarks, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, said the expo would help connect viable Nigerian projects with potential investors while strengthening cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Alake said the government was working to expand Nigeria’s productive economy, diversify its sources of revenue and create more investment opportunities across sectors such as mining, electricity, manufacturing, infrastructure, oil and gas, trade and investment.
He described the expo as timely, saying it supported the government’s ambition to make Nigeria a more competitive destination for global investment, particularly in the solid minerals industry.
The minister explained that investors would have the opportunity to learn about projects available across the country, existing investment policies and areas where partnerships were needed.
He added that the involvement of ministries overseeing industry, trade and investment, power, and petroleum resources reflected the broad range of sectors covered by the expo.
Alake also stressed the importance of state governments and host communities, noting that many mineral resources and investment projects are located within states.
He urged the organisers to allow states to showcase investment projects, infrastructure requirements and partnership opportunities, while also ensuring they understand the obligations associated with hosting major investment events.
The minister emphasised that effective cooperation between the federal and state governments, investors and host communities would be necessary to minimise disputes, prevent delays and ensure that the benefits of investments are broadly shared.
He pledged the ministry’s support for the event and assured investors that the Federal Government remained open to responsible investments that could generate employment, strengthen local industries, promote knowledge and technology transfer and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.
Youth Energy Summit Targets 100 Million-Strong Network in Nigeria
7
