Youths Enterprise Development and Innovation Society

A speech delivered by Rafiu Olaore, YEDIS Executive Director, as a guest speaker at the “Iwure Oba” festival in Itiya-Ijesa land, a town renowned for its agricultural pursuits within Obokun Local Government, Osun State, Nigeria, on 3 January 2026. His presentation is published at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/399434439_Emphasising_Agriculture_to_Boost_Rural_Entrepreneurship_Job_Creation_and_Fostering_Sustainable_Community_Development Furthermore, the presentation video can be accessed through the following […]

On 19 December 2025, an inspiring day unfolded for young artisans and individuals with disabilities across Osun State, Nigeria. The Youths Enterprise Development and Innovation Society (YEDIS), in partnership with the Absolute Women Empowerment Initiative (AWEI) in Abuja, hosted a year-end celebration for nearly one hundred underserved individuals. The event, held at the Royal Spring

On December 15, 2025, Mr Rafiu Akinpelu Olaore, a grassroots civil society leader in Nigeria and Executive Director of Youths Enterprise Development and Innovation Society (YEDIS), actively contributed to job creation policies during the “Meeting of National Experts to Score the Implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria,” held at Amber Residence, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. Organised

The management team of the Youths Enterprise Development and Innovation Society (YEDIS) extends its congratulatory regards to Dr Rafiu Olaore (Hon..), the Executive Director of YEDIS, upon his receipt of the ‘Distinguished Alumnus Award’ from the Osun State Polytechnic Alumni Association, Nigeria, on November 21, 2025. The award was formally presented by the institution’s Rector,

YEDIS commemorated UNICEF World Children’s Day 2025 by engaging with underprivileged children on Thursday, 20th November 2025, at Onaolapo Memorial High School, Ikirun, Osun State, Nigeria. During the event, YEDIS provided education to nearly 1,000 students (ages 10-15) from the school on initiatives related to climate change, AI ethics, peace, entrepreneurship, quality education, and social

Attending the United Nations’ Second World Summit for Social Development at the National Convention Centre in Doha, Qatar, from 3 to 6 November 2025, was a notable experience. Chief Rafiu Olaore led six senior members of his nongovernmental organisation, Youths Enterprise Development and Innovation Society (YEDIS), from Nigeria to engage, learn, network, and contribute to

In a dynamic and inspiring session during the World Bank Group and IMF Meetings and Civil Society Policy Forum, Chief Rafiu Akinpelu Olaore, the visionary Founder and Executive Director of Youths Enterprise Development and Innovation Society (YEDIS), captivated a discerning audience that included key Nigerian government officials on October 17, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The

A delegation of seven representatives from the Youths Enterprise Development and Innovation Society (YEDIS) participated in the 2025 Africa Social Impact Summit, organised by the Sterling One Foundation in collaboration with the United Nations in Nigeria, the Lagos State Government, and over sixty partner organisations. The summit with the theme, Scaling Action: Bold Solutions for

Rafiu Olaore had the esteemed opportunity to participate as a panellist during the World Bank Group-International Monetary Fund 2025 Spring Meetings CSPF session, which took place in Washington, D.C., on April 23, 2025. His presentation focused on the theme “Localizing Impact: Enhancing Community-Led Initiatives in Nigeria,” situated within the broader discourse on how community-led approaches

On behalf of the Youth Enterprise Development and Innovation Society (YEDIS), we are honored to announce that Rafiu Olaore has been recognized as a finalist for the British Council Study UK Alumni Social Action Award on 15 February 2025. This prestigious award was presented by the Honourable Minister of Education of Nigeria, Dr. Tunji Alausa,

Dear Members of YEDIS and Respected Stakeholders, It is with great pleasure that I announce the recent recommendation by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Committee for the Youth Enterprise Development and Innovation Society (YEDIS) to obtain “Special Consultative Status” as of 20 January 2025. This recognition reflects our unwavering dedication to promoting

The World Bank Group held a seminar titled “Strengthening Voices, Shaping Future: Insights from Nigeria’s Young Parliamentarians.” on 3 April 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria. YEDIS Executive Director Rafiu Olaore attended the event and commented as follows. Nigeria’s government regularly introduces youth development policies and invests heavily in entrepreneurship education and skills acquisition programs, but these

Youths Enterprise Development & Innovation Society (YEDIS) became a Graduate of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Islamic Development Bank (ISDB) – TADAMON Crowdfunding Academy in Nigeria after four months of extensive training and successful examination between November 2023 and February 2024. YEDIS is a grassroots nonprofit youth-serving organization that promotes entrepreneurship education,  youth

Together for the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda 2030. Diversify your career progression through extracurricular activities and United Nations Volunteering jobs to gain leadership, productive networking, and professional relevance. A little social effort makes a significant impact. Let us support the Government with our professional skills to solve local, national, and global

Video Link Location: Palm oil Producing center, Ila Road, Obaagun, Osun State, Nigeria.  Date: 20 December 2023 Interviewer: Mrs Oluwakemi Oyeniyi, YEDIS Marketing Team Member.  Respondents: Translator: Mr Abass Opeyemi, YEDIS Youth Coordinating Team Member.  Question:- How many branches do you have here at Obaagun?  1st Respondent:- We have seven (7) units, namely Oseni, Demola,

Video link YEDIS Executive Director Rafiu Akinpelu Olaore delivered the Keynote speech on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria, at a workshop organized by Youths Enterprise Development and Innovation Society (YEDIS) on November 11, 2023, at Government Technical College Lecture Hall, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria. The purpose was to educate

Youths Enterprise Development and Innovation Society (YEDIS) empowered over 250 marginalized young people in Ilase Ijesa, Obokun local government, Osun State, Nigeria, on 23 September 2023. The workshop included business development training, digital marketing and networking strategies to advance their business. The objectives are to reduce poverty, promote gender equality and sustainable economic development. YEDIS

The Youths Enterprise Development and Innovation Society (YEDIS) organized a one-day seminar program to commemorate the celebration of 2023 International Youth Day on Sunday, 13th August 2023, among the teeming youths of Iragberi community in Egbedore Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria. YEDIS coordinators delivered lectures following the 2023 International Youth Day celebration theme, “Green

YEDIS Equips 60 Children with Entrepreneurship Education Skills and Learning Materials in Osogbo, Nigeria on 23rd June 2023. Supported by OlaSeffy Variety Stores, Nigeria. Video links: Mr Ogunrinade Ranti and Mr Ola Timothy Olalekan coordinated the entrepreneurship education training and distribution of educational materials. Alimah Olaore delivered a speech on the ‘Importance of Quality Education’

The YEDIS Executive Director, Mr. Rafiu Olaore, participated (in-person) at the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund Spring Meeting and Civil Society Policy Forum, held from 10th – 16th April 2023, in Washington DC, USA.  The Dialogue sessions and workshops attended include,  *Creating a Collaborative Roadmap for Digitization: Closing the digital divide to Address

Youths Enterprise Development & Innovation Society (YEDIS) celebrated the International Day of Education on the 24th of January 2023 with 135 pupils between the ages of 2 and 14 in Ikirun, Nigeria. The event was held at Love of God Nursery and Primary School, Ikirun, Osun State, Nigeria, from 9 am to 12 pm.  YEDIS

Written by Zainab Sodeeq, member, Youths Enterprise Development & Innovation Society (YEDIS), Nigeria.  Over the years, girls and women have been marginalized in underdeveloped societies; they frequently have minor or no roles to play and receive less education. Women’s psychological makeup and reproductive responsibility can be linked to these obstacles that women confront because their

1. Gender-sensitive education is highly essential in promoting youth employment and poverty eradication. When all men and women are educated, there will be meaningful contributions to economic development. The Government and key stakeholders’ policy on gender and youth education should be tailored particularly towards rural people in marginalised communities. Disadvantaged people are vulnerable to social