The Pan-African Youth Innovation Forum 2023, hosted by Lagos Business School and Co-creation Hub, witnessed a momentous gathering that left participants inspired, energized, and armed with a renewed sense of possibility. As we reflect on the incredible conversations.
This groundbreaking event, held during Bill Gates’ visit to Nigeria as Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, brought together visionaries and change-makers to explore the theme of “Advancing Africa: Unleashing the Power of Youth in Science and Innovation.”
At the heart of this transformative forum was a dynamic Q&A session moderated by Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, CEO of Co-Creation Hub. The session featured the eminent presence of Mr. Bill Gates, Co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, who engaged in extensive discussions on the profound impact of AI on education, health, manufacturing, and governance.
The conversation also delved into the potential for entrepreneurs to make a difference while also generating profit.
As a response to a question posed by Dr. Tijani, Mr. Gates remarked on how the dynamic young people can make a difference while also making a profit.
When asked about the role of dynamic young people in driving positive change, Mr. Gates emphasized their ability to effect change and achieve profitability simultaneously. He also shared his framework for determining priorities, shedding light on the vast disparity between affluent and developing nations, as well as the limited resources allocated to healthcare, as influential factors guiding his decisions.
In response, Dr. Tijani further explored the topic of entrepreneurs delivering impactful solutions while ensuring revenue generation. The Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation expressed his belief that young individuals, armed with their strengths, education, and passion-driven contributions, can uncover the path to making a substantial impact.
Throughout the forum, enlightening discussions revolved around the transformative potential of AI in education, the necessity of supportive regulatory frameworks and policies to foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and the exciting prospects of AI in healthcare, where it could adapt to African languages and customized datasets.
Following Mr. Gates’ illuminating session, a panel discussion took place, featuring three young Nigerian innovators: Oluwatosin Olaseinde of Money Africa, Preston Ideh of Stears Insights, and Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson of Health Tracka. These trailblazers shared their experiences as business founders and presented ideas for expanding resources accessible to other entrepreneurs.
The Pan-African Youth Innovation Forum 2023 served as a milestone event, demonstrating unwavering support for the pioneering efforts of African voices shaping the present and future of the continent. It fostered the exchange of knowledge, insightful engagement, and a collective sense of responsibility among Nigeria’s young population to revolutionize the nation and the world at large through science and innovation.
Here are some media highlights from the event:
https://punchng.com/cchub-founder-engages-bill-gates-on-youths-economic-role/