Learn.
Gain practical skills, perspectives and exposure relevant to a changing world of work.
YELS26
BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA
Youth Empowerment & Leadership Summit 2026
Presented by
FULL PROGRAMME
08–10DECEMBER
2026
2026
PHYSICAL BOOTCAMP
08–09DECEMBER
2026
2026
YELS 2026
The countdown begins soon
--Days
--Hours
--Minutes
--Seconds
Summit details announcement coming soon.
WHY YELS
A generation
ready to lead.
YELS 2026 brings together ambitious young people, innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders to explore the skills, ideas and opportunities shaping the future of work.
Connect.
Build meaningful relationships with ambitious young people, mentors and opportunity builders.
Lead.
Develop the confidence, thinking and networks required to turn ideas into meaningful action.
Who is YELS for?
- Students.
- Professionals.
- Entrepreneurs.
- Creatives.
If you're thinking seriously about where the future is going, you belong in the conversation.
MEET THE CONVENER
Chinye
Patrick-Biose
Convener, YALI Network Edo Youth Empowerment and Leadership Summit 2026
Coordinator, YALI Network Edo State | YALI Network Nigeria
Precious Chinye Patrick-Biose is a youth development advocate, leadership development practitioner and community organiser. As Coordinator of YALI Network Edo State, she leads initiatives that strengthen youth leadership, entrepreneurship and civic engagement.
Her work connects young people with practical skills, supportive networks and opportunities to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
THE YELS EXPERIENCE
More than
a summit.
YELS 2026 brings learning, enterprise, innovation, mentorship and meaningful connections into one experience.
Summit
Conversations and perspectives around leadership, innovation and the future of work.
Bootcamp
An intensive physical learning experience for selected participants.
Mentorship
Opportunities to learn from people with practical experience.
Network
Meet ambitious young people, entrepreneurs, professionals and opportunity builders.
Pitch
An opportunity for participants to develop and showcase ideas.
THE YELS TRANSFORMATION
From potential
to real impact.
BEFORE YELS
Ideas without direction
Limited opportunities
Working in isolation
Unclear next steps
AFTER YELS
A clearer sense of direction
Practical skills and exposure
A supportive community
Greater opportunities to grow
YELS 2026 PHYSICAL BOOTCAMP
Built for
deeper work.
An intensive physical learning experience for selected participants. Registering for YELS does not automatically mean selection for the Bootcamp.
50Selected participants
2Days
1Intensive experience
8–9 December 2026 · 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
- 01
Apply
Register for YELS and indicate interest in the Bootcamp.
- 02
Screening
Applications are reviewed for eligibility and completeness.
- 03
Onboarding
Eligible applicants proceed through onboarding and learning activities.
- 04
Assessment
Applicants complete the announced selection process.
- 05
Final 50
50 participants are selected for the physical Bootcamp.
Pitch Opportunity
Have an idea?
Take it further.
A pitching opportunity forms part of the YELS 2026 experience, giving participants another platform to develop and showcase their ideas.
Competition details coming soon.
YOUR YELS JOURNEY
Your future starts
with a step.
Register
Fill in a short form to secure your spot.
Receive your QR ticket
Get your unique ticket via email.
Check in
Present your QR code at the venue.
A LITTLE MORE CLARITY
Good questions.
Clear answers.
The essentials for your YELS 2026 experience. More details are on the way.
The Youth Empowerment and Leadership Summit 2026 is organised by YALI Network Edo. Under the theme ‘Shaping the Future of Work’, it brings young people together to learn, connect and lead.
YELS 2026 runs from 8–10 December 2026 in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The physical Bootcamp holds on 8–9 December 2026, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM, followed by the grand finale pitching competition on 10 December 2026. The exact venue will be announced.
YELS welcomes students, young professionals, entrepreneurs, innovators, private-sector practitioners, government and civil society participants.
The physical Bootcamp is one activity within YELS 2026, scheduled for 8–9 December 2026, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM. Participation details are coming soon.
No. Registration does not guarantee selection. Applications are reviewed through the announced selection process.
50 participants will be selected for the physical Bootcamp.
A pitching opportunity forms part of the YELS experience. Competition details will be announced soon.
The full programme is coming soon. Leadership, Innovation and Future of Work are programme themes; sessions and facilitators have not yet been announced.
Register here to reserve your place at YELS 2026. Your registration is confirmed once you receive your registration ID. QR tickets and check-in details will be shared closer to the summit.
YELS 2026 · BENIN CITY
The future
won't wait.
Neither should you.
- Date
- 8–10 December 2026
- Location
- Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Venue to be announced