The United States Consulate General, in collaboration with Lagos-based advisory firm Pelse Consulting, has convened a high-level business dialogue aimed at equipping young entrepreneurs and emerging business leaders with tools to build sustainable enterprises that positively impact their communities.
Okay News reports that the engagement, held in Yaba, Lagos State, brought together a diverse group of young innovators, policy stakeholders, and business mentors under the theme, “Building Businesses That Build Better Communities.” Participants were drawn from across Lagos State, including members of the Mandela Washington Fellows Outreach network.
Speaking at the event, United States Consulate Representative, Raisa Dukas, underscored the central role of entrepreneurship in national development, noting that small-scale businesses remain critical drivers of economic growth, innovation, and employment creation in both Nigeria and the United States.
“Entrepreneurship drives innovation, creates jobs, and provides livelihoods. The ability to create new businesses, jobs, opportunities, and livelihoods is critical anywhere, including the United States. We believe in fostering mutually beneficial partnerships between Nigerian entrepreneurs and United States businesses to promote economic growth,” she said.
Dukas further highlighted the importance of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, describing it as a six-week leadership programme that exposes young African entrepreneurs to world-class universities and industry leaders in the United States. She expressed optimism that the dialogue would strengthen long-term relationships between fellows and institutions that support enterprise development.
“Our hope is that this dialogue marks the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the fellows. We want to stay in contact with them to see how their businesses and efforts grow in ways that connect with the government and make meaningful impacts,” she added.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Lagos State Government, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, explained that the Business Connection and Leadership Dialogue was designed to stimulate conversations that redefine how businesses are built while prioritising community development and youth preparedness for the future.
He described the programme theme, “Dialogue That Matters: Building Businesses That Strengthen Communities,” as a reminder that sustainable business success must go beyond profit-making to include job creation, social impact, and long-term value addition.
“When businesses succeed in these areas, communities become stronger and economies more resilient,” Ogunlende said, while commending the United States Consulate for its sustained commitment to youth empowerment in Nigeria.
The commissioner also acknowledged the Mandela Washington Fellows and Young African Innovators, describing them as agents of change whose global exposure continues to enrich the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Highlighting the impact of the Amplifier Business Clinic and Accelerator initiative, Ogunlende disclosed that the programme initially supported five beneficiaries with five million naira but has expanded significantly. In 2024, seven entrepreneurs received fifteen million naira, while ten business owners benefited from twenty million naira in the current year.
He reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s dedication to youth empowerment through enterprise support, skills acquisition, and social development, stressing that young people can transform their communities when provided with the right resources.
In his lead presentation, Managing Partner of Pelse Consulting, Adeniji Boboye, examined the broader role of businesses in societal advancement, noting their influence on employment, economic stability, and social well-being.
Referencing World Bank data, Boboye stated that Small and Medium Enterprises account for forty-eight percent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product and generate seventy percent of total employment nationwide.
“Small and Medium Enterprises are essential engines of economic and social development. They are the primary employers in local communities, and by sourcing locally, they circulate wealth within the community,” he said.
Boboye further explained that sustainable businesses must balance profitability with ethical practices, environmental responsibility, and employee welfare.
“To thrive consistently, businesses must focus on ethical sourcing and green technologies, employee well-being, and responsible corporate governance,” he added.
He also outlined how businesses can integrate Corporate Social Responsibility into their operations by using data-driven strategies to address local challenges such as unemployment, healthcare access, and infrastructure gaps.
Concluding his presentation, Boboye urged entrepreneurs to align profit with purpose, emphasising that meaningful community impact strengthens long-term business success. He revealed that Pelse Consulting, founded in 2019, has worked with an estimated two thousand to three thousand businesses over the years through training programmes, workshops, webinars, and consulting services.
