In commemoration of this year’s United Nations International Youth Day, members of Women School of Business and Leadership (WSBL) has announced founder & Chief Executive Officer of Yikodeen Nigeria Limited Atunde Shamsideen Olayinka as the Youth in Business Leader of the Year.Aged 32, Atunde is s human-centered entrepreneurship personified.

This year’s United Nations theme, “Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond,” celebrates determination, creativity and leadership of young people, finds perfect expression in Atunde.

Co-convener African MSME Congress, Oladunni Owo described the recognition as well-deserved.

To him, “he is indeed a Youth in Business Leader.Women School of Business and Leadership (WSBL) cannot but recognise his outstanding entrepreneurship, leadership and contribution to youth enterprise development.”

“This is a global recognition to celebrate a young Nigerian whose stubborn dream has grown into West Africa’s largest safety footwear manufacturing empire, creating jobs, industrial self-reliance, and a new blueprint for what Nigerian youth can build from scratch.” He stated.

Yikodeen is certified by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to supply safety boots to Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. He has produced over five million pairs in ten years and expanded to 5,000 pairs daily from its 120,000-sq-ft factory in Ejigbo, Lagos.

Olayinka employs over 250 staff, with women representing 61% of factory workforce and 33% of senior management. He also conducts free annual vocational training in leatherwork for over 200 youths and donates more than 1,000 pairs yearly to children in need. The company is projected to create 200 new skilled jobs from the recent expansion.

He personally sponsors youth enterprise bootcamps. He believes, “you can start with anything. You shouldn’t be ashamed of what you have. Just start.”