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Jennifer Soba Pearse, Founder of Give Back Nigeria, has urged young Africans to see themselves as solution providers and not passive observers.
She noted this during a virtual dialogue hosted by BusinessDay Foundation, as it marked International Youth Day, where she called African youth to embrace action, innovation and leadership in shaping the continent’s future.
The session, themed: ‘Beyond Borders: Young Voices, Global Choices’, brought together young leaders and professionals to examine how African youth are influencing local communities, continental development, and global discourse.
Pearse stressed that youth leadership must go beyond rhetoric to practical involvement at every level, from grassroots volunteering to political participation.
According to her, “It’s not just about being the change you want to see, but about actually getting involved, whether in political parties, local movements, organisations, or community work,” she explained.
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“Young people are the powerhouse. You are the ones with the vibrancy, the activation, the energy, the ideas, and the willpower to create the change you want to see,” she said.
Lily Adiemefe, executive director of the BusinessDay Foundation, described the event as an opportunity to spotlight the creativity and resilience of young people. “Today’s conversation brings together inspiring leaders and changemakers to explore how African youth can harness technology, build movements, and create solutions that not only shape their communities but also influence global progress,” she said.
Reflecting on the impact of globalisation and digital platforms, Pearse highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated youth engagement across borders. “After COVID, the world became fully online. It is no longer difficult to join global conversations, whether on Zoom, Twitter spaces or other platforms. The real challenge is for young people to realise they are not just participants, but architects of tomorrow,” she said.
BusinessDay Foundation champions youth voices at virtual dialogue on global impact
In addressing young Africans, Pearse was emphatic: “History never forgets those that didn’t act. Africa belongs to every single one of us, and the story does not need to remain the same. It starts with action, with commitment, and with little impacts that ripple into lasting change.”
Drawing on her own experience working as a young intern for former US President Barack Obama, Pearse recalled the advice that shaped her outlook: “He said, never underestimate the power of those who can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that has ever happened. That stayed with me.”
She urged African youth not to be daunted by limited resources, stressing that change could start with as little as N200,000 or as much as N10 million. “It’s not about you; it’s about the people you’re going to affect. Nothing is too small to begin with. The important thing is to start,” she said.
Other speakers included Abraham Durosawo, vice president of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, and Ellen Ukpi, director of marketing, branding and communications who both underscored the role of storytelling and innovation in shaping Africa’s narrative globally.
Pearse closed with a call to urgency: “Yesterday ended last night. The opportunity to define tomorrow starts today. Stop talking and start doing.”
Ngozi Ekugo
Ngozi Ekugo is a Snr. Correspondent at Businessday, covering labour market, careers and mobility.
She is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), has an MSc Management from the University Hertfordshire and is an alumna of University of Lagos and Queen’s college.
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