More than 350 young Nigerians walked into Gbagada, Lagos on October 2, 2026 with ideas and walked out with a plan. The Bet9ja Foundation hosted the third edition of its Graduate Employability & Enterprise Summit, GEES 3.0, under a theme that says everything: Earn. Build. Grow.
According to Vanguard, the summit pulled together graduates, young entrepreneurs and early-career professionals for a full day of career positioning, wealth creation and enterprise training. Over ₦2.4 million in prizes and gifts went to participants, with food startup Dharkag Foods taking the top prize at the Pitch Slam.
From 2024 Dream to 2026 Reality
GEES started in 2024 as a platform to help young Nigerians face employment and entrepreneurship head on. The first edition tackled employability. The 2025 edition went digital, prepping young people for the digital workspace. GEES 3.0 pushed the conversation further: how do you actually earn, build something of your own and grow it in this economy?
This is homegrown solutions for homegrown problems. No foreign blueprint, no borrowed template. Nigerian money, Nigerian mentors, Nigerian talent solving Nigerian challenges.
Three Tracks, One Mission
GEES 3.0 ran on three core tracks: career, wealth and enterprise. Participants got practical training on global work opportunities, personal branding, investment and entrepreneurship.
Tomike Adeoye, award-winning entrepreneur, actor and media personality, delivered the Wealth Track keynote. Dr. Solomon King, Capital Advisor and Executive Director of Lagos Angel Network, handled the Career Track keynote. Speakers across the Wealth and Enterprise tracks broke down investment, venture building and business growth.
The GEES Pitch Slam was the standout moment. Emerging entrepreneurs pitched their businesses live and competed for real money. Dharkag Foods won. Savour Foods took first runner-up. Nail Luxe came second runner-up.
What the Foundation Had to Say
Ada Cuomo, Executive Director of Bet9ja Foundation, laid out the vision plainly: