A non-governmental organisation, Zero Tolerance for Social Immoralities Initiative (ZETSI Africa), has announced plans to host the first-ever North East Young Entrepreneurship Summit, aimed at equipping young business owners with skills, mentorship and funding opportunities to boost economic activities in the region.
The three-day summit, powered by the North East Development Commission (NEDC), is being organised in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and other public and private sector partners. It is expected to bring together 250 carefully selected young entrepreneurs from the six states of the North East.
According to ZETSI Africa, the programme is designed to support youth-led enterprises through practical entrepreneurship training, innovation-driven mentorship and access to opportunities that can translate into job creation and sustainable livelihoods.
The Chairperson of ZETSI Africa, Ambassador Ibrahim Abdulrazak Imam, said the initiative was conceived to respond to the economic challenges facing young people in the region while unlocking their creative and business potential.
“This summit is about empowering young people with the right tools, knowledge and support to build viable businesses and become drivers of economic recovery in the North East,” Imam said. “We believe that when youths are economically empowered, they become agents of peace, development and social stability.”
He explained that the first two days of the summit would feature intensive virtual training and mentorship sessions via Zoom, while the grand finale would hold on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at the FORSHAMS Event Centre along Dapcharima Road in Maiduguri, Borno State.
One of the major attractions of the closing ceremony, according to the organisers, will be the disbursement of grants to 20 outstanding participants selected based on innovation, business viability and overall performance during the programme.
Imam disclosed that the overall winner of the business pitch competition would receive a cash prize of ₦1 million to support business start-up or expansion, noting that the gesture was meant to encourage excellence and innovation among young entrepreneurs.
He added that the summit aligns with national priorities on youth empowerment and entrepreneurship development, while also contributing to peacebuilding and economic recovery efforts in the North East.
ZETSI Africa also called on development partners, private sector players and other stakeholders to identify with and support the initiative, stressing its commitment to impactful programmes that promote sustainable youth development across Nigeria.
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