The 2025 Africa Youth Day Celebration, organized by the Oselobua Family Foundation, was a two-day youth-focused programme designed to inspire, educate, and empower young Africans toward responsible leadership, employability, and sustainable development. Held on 31st October and 1st November 2025, the event convened over 100 participants, including students from four secondary schools, youth leaders, education professionals, policymakers, and development partners. Through keynote addresses, panel discussions, youth dialogues, and practical engagements aligned with the African Union Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the programme provided a platform for critical conversations on education, leadership, drug abuse prevention, innovation, volunteerism, and community development.
Programme Narrative
The 2025 Africa Youth Day Celebration opened on Day One, 31st October 2025, with the arrival and registration of participants, followed by breakfast and informal networking. The atmosphere reflected a strong sense of anticipation as young people, educators, and stakeholders gathered around a shared commitment to shaping the Africa we want.
The formal programme commenced with welcome remarks by Mr. Daniel Ihansekhien, Chairman of the Oselobua Family Foundation, who reaffirmed the Foundation’s dedication to youth empowerment, access to education, and value-driven leadership across communities. This was followed by words of wisdom from the Father of the Day, Pa Solomon Odemona, whose reflections emphasized moral responsibility, discipline, and the role of mentorship in youth development.
Opening remarks were delivered by the Honourable Chairman of Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area, highlighting the importance of grassroots partnerships in driving youth-focused initiatives. The programme further featured an opening statement by the Special Guest of Honour, the Lagos State Honourable Commissioner for Youth Development, who spoke about the government’s commitment to youth inclusion, skills development, and policy-driven empowerment.
A major highlight of Day One was a keynote session titled “Revolutionizing the National Youth Empowerment Landscape through the FG TVET Agenda”, delivered by Mr. Ayodele Aroge, Director at the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE). The session emphasized the relevance of technical and vocational education as a practical pathway to youth employability, innovation, and national development.
Following group photographs and networking, the programme transitioned into the Youth Dialogue with Professionals, a central component of the event. This panel session, moderated by Dr. Mary Ikeaba, Lecturer at the University of Lagos, featured diverse expert perspectives. Key discussions included a speech by Dr. Tunde Hassan, who addressed “The Failure of African Leadership: Empowering the Youth to the Rescue,” examining leadership gaps and the urgent need for youth-driven solutions.
Professor Kazeem, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Olabisi Onabanjo University, challenged prevailing narratives in a session titled “Demystifying the Notion: Education is a Scam.” Mr. Joshua Falade, Founder of Featstone Academy, spoke on “Self-Employability: The Imperatives of Youth Innovation and Creativity.”
Mr. Victor O. Abraham, Drug Abuse Prevention Specialist and Consultant at The Victor & Lois Abraham Foundation, delivered a powerful session titled “Prevention is Better Than Cure,” sensitizing participants on the dangers of drug and substance abuse and its long-term impact on individuals and society. He spoke extensively about the devastating effects of drug abuse on individuals, families, and communities. He shared real-life experiences and emphasized the importance of early awareness, prevention, and informed decision-making among young people.
The day concluded with a plenary session, lunch, team-building activities, and continued networking among participants, facilitators, and partners.
Day Two of the program was anchored by Mr. Tobi Yusuf, who guided participants through a more interactive and reflective programme structure. Activities began with arrival, registration, and breakfast, followed by words of wisdom delivered by Mr. Godfrey Acho, focusing on personal responsibility and youth purpose.
Mr. Daniel E. Ihansekhien presented an overview of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), helping participants understand how global development frameworks connect with local community action. This was followed by group work and plenary sessions where participants aligned youth-led ideas with relevant SDGs.
The second Youth Dialogue with Professionals featured another robust panel discussion led by Mrs. Basirat Adeyemi, Vice Principal, Ajumoni Secondary School, Mushin, Lagos. Panel sessions included a speech by Mr. Emmanuel Ejiogu, Director, UNESCO YOD, on “Internship and Volunteerism as Global Employment Catalysts.” Dr. Idowu Alademomi, of Blemed West Africa Limited, explored “Sports and Entertainment: New Narratives in Youth Professional Engagement.” Mr. Abiodun Egberungbe, Director at Amazing Brain Schools, discussed the topic “Youth Selfless Service and Social Responsibility for Community Transformation.”
The programme concluded with a closing session, lunch, and departure, leaving participants with renewed clarity, inspiration, and a stronger sense of responsibility toward societal development.