The ancient city of Ibadan came alive yesterday as over 500 young people converged on the Mauve21 Event Centre, Ring Road for the 4th edition of the Itesiwaju Oyo Synergy International Youth Day.
Themed “Youth for Growth: Fostering Financial Literacy & Civic Responsibility,” the event underscored the urgent need for young Nigerians to embrace economic self-reliance, responsible citizenship, and sustainable nation-building.
Sponsored by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and supported by Maya Group, the gathering brought together an eclectic mix of youth leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, and civic advocates. The program featured 4 keynote sessions with each tailored to address real-world challenges and equip attendees with actionable strategies.
Speaking at the event, the convener, Ademola Titilopemi Ajibola, popularly known as MAYA, emphasised that beyond attendance numbers, the true measure of success lay in the depth of the conversations and the practical takeaways that participants could immediately apply. Topics ranged from financial discipline, taxation awareness, and entrepreneurship pathways to active political participation, community service, and policy engagement.
Participants described the sessions as “transformational” and “eye-opening”, with several citing new commitments to saving, investment, and civic engagement. In the words of one attendee, “I now understand that my financial decisions and my voice in governance are both tools for shaping my future.”
The sponsorship by FIRS was widely acknowledged as a testament to the agency’s growing role in national youth development beyond its core tax mandate. The convener was full of appreciation to the Executive Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, PhD for buying into the event vision. By investing in financial literacy at the grassroots level, FIRS reinforced the message that tax compliance, entrepreneurship, and civic duty are interconnected pillars of sustainable national growth.
Maya Group’s involvement, through logistical and media support, further reflected its corporate ethos of empowering young people to build skills, access opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to society.
Speakers at the event were Ayoola Oluwatosin of Lypix Studios; Bolajoko Oluwaseun of B. Buttons Luxury; Adebayo Ibrahim of Password TV, Hon. Oluwaseun Olufade, the youngest LGA Chairman in Oyo State (Executive Chairman of Ibadan North LGA) & Oloye Ademola Ajibola of Maya Group.
As reviews continue to pour in, analysts say this year’s edition stands out not just for its turnout, but for its content depth, relevance, and the strategic blend of public and private sector collaboration. With its mix of inspiration, capacity building, and networking, the Itesiwaju Oyo Synergy International Youth Day has once again reinforced its reputation as a premier youth-focused platform in Nigeria’s South West political capital.
The consensus among speakers and attendees alike was clear: If Nigeria’s future is in the hands of its youth, then equipping them with financial literacy and civic responsibility is not optional, it is imperative.
