Lagos Business School’s Talent Initiative Redefines Career Paths for Youth

Talented Nigeria Youth- ARDnig

Nigeria is home to a wealth of talented, hardworking, and determined creative individuals who often lack the necessary support to bring their aspirations to fruition. Recognizing this need, the Young Talents Programme (YTP) at the Lagos Business School aims to provide the mentorship needed to help these innovative minds thrive. Several of the individuals who have been guided through the YTP have graciously shared their journey and experiences.

Victoria Okesipe-Babalola

A mathematics graduate mentored through the Young Talents Programme (YTP) at Lagos Business School. She found the experience at the YTP enriching and insightful, especially through sessions like Meet the CEO, which emphasized the importance of personal development and investing in people. The insights highlighted how crucial investing in people is for any company’s success and shaped my approach to personal development, she explained. Okesipe-Babalola disclosed that the experience set her up for success by connecting her with Tayo Otubanjo, a professor of marketing at LBS. She noted that her childhood journey to life was shaped by her parents, who instilled in her the values of diligence and faith, which are the fulcrum of her life. Their constant encouragement to excel academically was the key to my unlimited possibilities and has been my driving force.

Victoria Okesipe-Babalola -ARDnig

Oluwatofunmi Idowu

 An economics graduate who participated in YTP and found it inspirational. She gained valuable insights on starting and growing a business, which expanded her problem-solving skills. Her memorable experience was learning about the dynamics of starting and growing a business from Gloria Enyinnaya, an LBS graduate and founder. It provided an opportunity to sharpen my problem-solving skills through a challenging case study, she said. Idowu had a lot of memories growing up, especially during her secondary school years, when she started researching various career paths, reading extensively on finance, accounting, economics, and other corporate careers, makes her  journey from researching various career paths in secondary school to discovering management consulting at university was transformed by The Prosperity Paradox’ by Clayton Christensen changed her perspective.

Oluwatofunmi Idowu -ARDnig

The YTP at Lagos Business School has been a transformative experience that has enabled Nigerian Youth to unlock their true potential and pursue their dreams with confidence.

Christian Agu

 A growth marketing manager who excelled in the 2022 YTP. He experienced significant personal development and growth, winning an ideation challenge that boosted his confidence. Despite facing challenges working as a teacher and car washer after secondary school, he excelled in university, studying electrical engineering.

Christian Agu -ARDnig

Enameguono Ekpemuaka

 A graduate of Agricultural Science who had an enriching experience at the 2023 YTP. Mentorship and interaction with industry practitioners provided fresh perspectives on career goals and professional development. His interest in creativity and problem-solving led him to the Management Scholar Academy at LBS, shaping his career in a positive direction. In those times, I spearheaded knowledge sharing outside our lecture hours amongst my course mates. This enhanced our academic performance. The experience brought me to the realization that the best way to learn is to teach. He said.

Enameguono Ekpemuaka – ARDnig

Sheneni Maiyaki

A first-class graduate in entrepreneurship from Nasarawa State who thrived in the 2022 YTP cohort. The program helped him realize his career aspirations and provided opportunities for growth. His early experiences managing the family business center and pursuing entrepreneurship at university were crucial in shaping his current path at LBS. After secondary school, I stayed at home for a year, and during that period, I managed the family’s business centre, where basic computer training and services were offered. It was a good learning and formation period for me. Subsequently, I went to the university to study entrepreneurship. My year at the university is critical to who I am now,” he said.

Sheneni Maiyaki -ARDnig

Jennifer Agbo

 An economics graduate preparing for her master’s program and working as a research assistant at LBS. She was part of the 2022 YTP cohort, which set her on a path towards better clarity on her career goals. Despite facing financial challenges growing up, she leveraged opportunities like PARG, GAIN, and Education USA to pursue her academic and career aspirations. I learned how to coordinate a group, collate, analyse, and drive meaningful insights from data, and provide practical solutions that can be implemented by any organization, she said. Agbo said YTP is a game-changer for Nigerian youth. “I believe it has the potential to empower countless Nigerian youth to achieve their dreams. By providing access to quality education and opportunities, YTP is helping to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s next generation.

Jennifer Agbo – ARDnig

The Young Talents Programme (YTP) at the Lagos Business School serves as a vital platform to mentor and nurture the creativity and innovation of talented individuals in Nigeria who lack the necessary support to realize their dreams. Through the YTP, innovative minds in Nigeria are provided with the mentorship needed to bridge the gap between their talents and achieving their aspirations.