By Esther Onyegbula

More than 5,000 young Nigerians are expected to converge on Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, from March 17 to 21, 2026, for the GENSPARK 2026 summit, following the sponsorship of 2,000 prospective participants by WellaFitta Resources Limited.

The week-long industrial and entrepreneurship summit will hold at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan, and is designed to expose participants to manufacturing, leadership and regulatory skills, as part of broader efforts to stimulate local production and address rising youth migration, popularly referred to as the “Japa syndrome.”

Organisers said the event will feature an exhibition of over 2,000 locally manufactured products, as well as training sessions aimed at strengthening entrepreneurial capacity and boosting Nigeria’s manufacturing value chain.
Momentum for the summit increased this week after WellaFitta Resources Limited announced its decision to cover the registration fees of 2,000 young entrepreneurs, a move the organisers described as critical to widening access for participants who may be constrained by cost.
Speaking on the intervention, a representative of the company, Pharm. (Mrs.) Jooda, said the sponsorship aligns with WellaFitta’s commitment to local production and the development of a self-reliant healthcare and manufacturing ecosystem.

According to her, the initiative is intended to encourage young Nigerians to engage productively in entrepreneurship and contribute to long-term national development through innovation and manufacturing.

GENSPARK 2026 will also feature several industry leaders and professionals expected to share practical insights on business development, regulation and scaling. Confirmed speakers include the Director-General of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, Prof. Martins Emeje; Chairman of Fidson Healthcare Plc, Dr. Fidelis Ayebae; Co-founder and Executive Director of So Fresh, Abimbola Balogun; and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Vanguard Pharmacy Ltd, Taofik Odukoya.
Other facilitators listed by the organisers include Founder and CEO of Advantage Health Africa, Abimbola Adebakin; Chairman and CEO of ACE Mall, Yinka Afonja; business consultant Gbenga Adesina; and Pharm. Abiodun Ajibade, FPSN, who is the project lead and chief convener of the summit.
Ajibade, who is also the Team Lead of GleanForte Academy Limited, described the partnership with WellaFitta Resources Limited as complementary to ongoing government efforts aimed at economic diversification and youth empowerment.

He noted that while Nigerian youths have made notable global impact in sectors such as information technology and entertainment, there is a growing need for increased youth participation in the productive and manufacturing sectors to ensure sustainable economic growth.

A major component of the summit, according to the organisers, will be an industrial exhibition showcasing products ranging from household items and beauty products to renewable energy solutions and local crafts. The exhibition is expected to provide a platform for emerging manufacturers to interact with industry stakeholders and potential consumers.

The training curriculum for participants will include sessions on regulatory compliance, including processes for registering products with relevant regulatory agencies, with the aim of improving product standards and export readiness.
Organisers said logistics and security arrangements have been concluded ahead of the event, as participants and exhibitors are expected from different parts of the country.