Founder of the Smile & Shine Children’s Foundation, Dr. Nimi Stephanie Ekere, has underscored the need for greater investment in adolescents, describing youth development as critical to Nigeria’s future growth and development.

Ekere stpoke at STRIVE Conference 2026, with the theme “Safe. Skilled. Successful,” organised by the foundation to equip adolescents with the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to navigate challenges, maximise opportunities and realise their full potential. The event brought together students, educators, healthcare professionals, mentors and youth development advocates. She noted that adolescence remains one of the most important stages of human development, serving as the bridge between childhood and adulthood.

According to her, while adolescents possess enormous potential, many continue to face challenges such as school dropout, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, violence, poor mental health and inadequate access to mentorship and life-skills education.

Ekere said addressing these challenges requires deliberate and sustained investment in young people, particularly in Nigeria where children and adolescents constitute a significant proportion of the population.

She explained that the conference was designed to provide adolescents with the tools, guidance and support necessary to make informed decisions, develop leadership capacity and prepare for future opportunities.

Participants at the conference took part in sessions on personal development, leadership, resilience, safety, decision-making and future readiness. The programme also featured practical skills acquisition activities aimed at promoting creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and self-reliance among young people.

Ekere noted that empowering adolescents went beyond academic achievement, stressing the importance of mentorship, exposure to positive role models and life-skills education in shaping responsible and productive citizens.

She further stated that initiatives such as STRIVE “demonstrate the impact of collaboration among families, schools, healthcare professionals, community leaders and development organisations in addressing challenges affecting young people.”

The adolescent health specialist said that since its inception in 2022, STRIVE Conference has evolved into a platform for youth development, impacting thousands of young people through mentorship, leadership development and life-skills education programmes.

Ekere reaffirmed the commitment of the Smile & Shine Children’s Foundation to creating opportunities that inspire, equip and empower adolescents to realise their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.

She expressed optimism that sustained efforts toward adolescent development would help raise a generation of young people who are safe, skilled, successful and prepared to drive national development.