GiNN 4.0: Young Nigerians Rewriting the Nation’s Story On Saturday, May 24, 2025, Gen-Z Involvement in a New Nigeria (GiNN) 4.0 took place at the Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos — convening an inspiring cross-section of young leaders, industry experts, policymakers, and creative voices under the theme: “Rewriting the Nigerian Story, Building the Future, Becoming the Future.” A Movement Evolving Now in its fourth year, GiNN has grown into much more than an annual conference — it has become a vibrant platform equipping young Nigerians with insights, tools, and networks to actively shape the future of their nation. This edition continued that trajectory, placing special emphasis on youth empowerment, economic participation, civic engagement, and leadership development. Spotlight on Speakers & Voices GiNN 4.0 featured a diverse lineup of speakers who delivered powerful messages, shared lived experiences, and challenged attendees to redefine what it means to be a young changemaker in Nigeria: 🎤 Key Speakers Agomeze Saint – Convener of GiNNEmphasized the need for young Nigerians to transition from passive beneficiaries to active contributors in economic and civic life. Kola Adesina – Managing Director, Sahara GroupUrged youths to embrace self-reliance, start with small beginnings, and “bet on yourself first.” Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour – Labour Party Governorship Candidate (2023)Called on young people to engage in civic participation, secure their voter cards, and lead positive national change. Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim – Former Minister of Youth DevelopmentAdvocated for youth involvement in governance and nation-building with integrity, inclusion, and innovation at the forefront. Bunmi Davies – CEO, Afrotainment ProductionsUrged youths to shift from complaints to problem-solving — recognizing opportunities where others see obstacles. Olugbenga Obadina – CEO, Almond Projects LimitedStressed the value of innovation over criticism, urging young leaders to be creators rather than commentators. Mobolaji Ogunlende – Lagos State Commissioner for YouthDelivered a strong goodwill message encouraging youth responsibility, integrity, and strategic community participation. Key Conversations & Themes The discussions at GiNN 4.0 were rich and wide-ranging, with sessions covering: ✔️ Youth Leadership & Civic Engagement✔️ Entrepreneurship and Economic Empowerment✔️ Technological Innovation and Future Skills✔️ Policy Reform and Strategic Thinking✔️ Building Resilient Communities Speakers emphasized that Nigeria’s success hinges on its young people — their determination to act, innovate, and lead with purpose. Celebrating Young Excellence A highlight of GiNN 4.0 was the introduction of the “Young Excellence Awards” — an initiative designed to recognize and honor outstanding young Nigerians who are already contributing to national development: 🏆 Award Recipients Included: Somto Alexander Nnoruga Olumide Oworu Habeeb Hamzat Adelaja Edeh Sylvester Chisom Victory Ashaka Chioma Ukpabi Muhammed Gilmore Adekunle Christopher Joseph Bassey Matthias Busoye These individuals represent the spirit of GiNN — proactive, innovative, and committed to positive change. What This Means for Nigeria’s Youth GiNN 4.0 reinforced a powerful message: Nigeria’s future lies not in the hands of the few, but in the collective boldness of its young people. Youths were challenged to stop merely reacting to problems and instead create solutions — in business, governance, technology, community development, and beyond. As one speaker aptly put it: “If Nigeria will succeed or fail, it depends on the youth.” Final Thoughts GiNN 4.0 was more than a conference — it was a call to action, a platform for connection, and a spotlight on youth excellence. Young Nigerians left with fresh inspiration, new networks, and actionable strategies to play meaningful roles in shaping their communities and country. Whether through entrepreneurship, civic engagement, innovation, or leadership, the generation rising now has the tools — and the mandate — to rewrite Nigeria’s story for the better.

GiNN 3.0: Daring to Invent the Future of the Nigerian Entertainment Industry On Saturday, February 3, 2024, young Nigerians gathered at the J.F. Ade-Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos (UNILAG) for Gen-Z Involvement in a New Nigeria (GiNN) 3.0 — a dynamic edition of the youth-driven platform dedicated to empowering young voices and redefining the nation’s future. “Daring to Invent the Future of the Nigerian Entertainment Industry” — GiNN 3.0 focused on how the entertainment space can be a powerful catalyst for socio-economic transformation and cultural influence in Nigeria Key Speakers & Special Guests GiNN 3.0 featured influential voices from government, entertainment, and civic engagement sectors who shared invaluable insights on youth involvement, industry prospects, and national development: 🔹 Dr. Jamila Ibrahim Honourable Minister of Youth Development Delivered a powerful message on “Youth in Governance”, urging young Nigerians to get involved in policy-making and national affairs. 🔹 Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour Former Labour Party Lagos Gubernatorial Candidate & Chairman of the Day Shared perspectives on the role of young leaders in shaping Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape. 🔹 Charles Inojie & Hilda Dokubo Veteran Nollywood Actors Led discussions on “Storytelling for Social Change” — exploring how narrative and creativity from entertainment influence societal values and norms. 🔹 Bunmi Davies Founder, Stand Up Nigeria Spoke on entrepreneurship in entertainment, highlighting the intersection of business and creative talent. 🔹 Kenny Blaq & Josh2Funny Popular entertainers who brought energy and humour to the event, illustrating the uniting power of entertainment across diverse audiences. Highlight Sessions & Discussions GiNN 3.0 wasn’t just about big names — it was about real, practical conversations that challenged young people to think beyond the status quo: 🔸 Innovation in Entertainment Speakers talked about the future of storytelling, content creation, and culture-driven influence as tools for national growth. 🔸 Youth Participation & Leadership Discussions emphasized the necessity for Gen Z to actively participate in governance, creative industries, and national discourse. 🔸 Skills, Creativity, & Opportunity Panels explored practical strategies for navigating and thriving within the entertainment industry — from entrepreneurship to new-media success. Why GiNN 3.0 Was Impactful GiNN 3.0 stood out as a convergence of purpose, inspiration, and action. It demonstrated that the youth of Nigeria are not just consumers of culture, but creators of narratives, economic contributors, and leaders of tomorrow. The event showed that entertainment — far from being mere amusement — is a strategic lever for cultural influence, economic growth, and national identity.