In a bold move to booster youth development in Edo State, Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo is proud to announce the Edo Youth Impact Forum (EYIF 2025), a flagship empowerment platform, scheduled to hold on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub, Benin City.
Under the compelling theme, “Empowered Youth, Transformed Future,” EYIF 2025 is set to bring together over 1,500 in-person participants and 2,000 online attendees for an all-day, high-impact gathering. The forum will convene a diverse group of youth, policymakers, entrepreneurs, innovators, artisans, and thought leaders from across the state and beyond.
This critical event is convened under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo, whose administration is deeply committed to repositioning the youth as active and leading participants in Edo’s transformation journey.
“This is not just an event; it is a state-wide call to action,” stated Governor Okpebholo stated. “We are giving our youth a seat at the table and the resources to lead from the front. Our administration believes in the boundless potential of our young people, and EYIF 2025 is a testament to our commitment to their future.”
EYIF 2025 is deliberately designed as an action-focused event that moves beyond speeches and rhetoric. Participants will engage directly with:
-A compelling keynote address by the Honourable Minister of Youth Development on youth inclusion and digital economy.
-A robust panel session featuring accomplished founders and ecosystem leaders who will discuss practical strategies for transitioning from side hustles to scalable and sustainable businesses.
-Hands-on masterclasses providing practical skills in critical areas such as business design, digital monetization, vocational innovation, and content creation.
-Dynamic demo showcases homegrown ideas and innovative solutions developed by Edo youth aimed at solving real challenges within the state.
At the very heart of EYIF 2025 is the official unveiling of the “Hack the Future” Grant—a landmark ₦10 million pre-seed funding initiative. This grant is specifically designed to identify, nurture, and financially empower five brilliant youth-led ideas with ₦2 million each.
The grant aims to uncover and accelerate innovative solutions from young people in vital sectors, including:
-Agriculture & Food Security
-Basic Education
-Culture, Tourism & Arts
-Skills & Youth Employment
-Waste Management & Clean Energy.
Grant applications have been officially opened and ends on June 20, 2025. Shortlisted applicants will participate in an intensive 10-day incubation program, followed by a competitive pitch session. The deserving winners will be announced and presented with their cheques on the day of the forum.
A distinguished panel of judges will meticulously assess each idea based on its originality, potential impact, feasibility, and scalability.
Attendance at EYIF 2025 is free. However, registration is mandatory for both the forum and the “Hack the Future” grant application. Prospective attendees and grant applicants must register via the official website at www.edoyouthforum.ng.
This is a defining moment for every Edo youth, whether a student with a grand vision, an artisan with an innovative idea, or a startup founder seeking essential support.
A Forum of Firsts and a Movement for the Future. EYIF 2025 marks the first state-wide youth forum under Governor Okpebholo’s administration and is intended to be one of the largest youth gatherings in southern Nigeria this year.
The event powerfully affirms the government’s strong commitment to co-creating solutions with the youth, not merely for them.
From comprehensive logistics support, including free campus shuttle buses, to engaging networking lounges and branded engagement zones, every aspect of EYIF 2025 is being meticulously designed to deliver an immersive, empowering, and unforgettable experience.
In a time where many young Nigerians are searching for hope, direction, and opportunity, EYIF 2025 stands as a beacon—one that powerfully says to every Edo youth: your ideas matter, your voice matters, and your future begins now. With real capital, real access, and real commitment from the state’s highest office, this forum transcends a mere event—it is a movement. A movement to unlock innovation, ignite purpose, and drive a new generation of Edo leaders toward building the thriving, inclusive, and prosperous society they deserve. This is the call. We urge you to answer it.
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