On Saturday, August 16th, 2025, the Lekan Bakare Foundation (LBF) brought together passionate young minds at the Turtle Sanctuary, Elegushi Beach, Lagos State, for a landmark event in celebration of International Youth Day 2025.
Themed “Blue Futures: Youth Reflections on Ocean Conservation, Coastal Resilience, and the SDGs”, the event titled Waves & Voices (Youth Beachside Dialogue on Marine Futures) provided a vibrant platform for youth leaders, community voices, and environmental advocates to exchange ideas and solutions for protecting our oceans and coastal environments.
The event featured a lineup of dynamic speakers and panelists:
Keynote Speaker: Abdul Na-eem Muniru, a National Geographic Young Explorer from Ghana, delivered an inspiring keynote on the role of young people in shaping sustainable marine futures.
Panel Sessions: Engaging discussions were led by experts including Anat Oseni (Environmental and Data Analyst), Muhammed Disu (Documentary Visual Artist), and Hameed Faaizah (Marine Ecologist).
Moderator: Iyilola Babalola, Head of Marine Biology, R&D at LBF, skillfully guided conversations toward practical actions.
Community Voices: Prince Benjamin and Prince Elijah from the Makoko community shared powerful stories on community-led ocean action and resilience.
Event MC: Abdullahi F. Zara (Zara of Lagos) kept the energy alive and engaging throughout the program.
The dialogue underscored the urgent need for youth-driven ocean conservation efforts, stronger community involvement, and the alignment of local initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Attendees emphasized that protecting marine ecosystems is not only critical for environmental sustainability but also for the social and economic resilience of coastal communities.
The Lekan Bakare Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people with the knowledge, platforms, and partnerships needed to protect our planet’s blue future. The Foundation also encouraged participants to continue advocacy and grassroots action within their communities.
Celebrated annually on August 12th and marked globally, International Youth Day 2025 focused on amplifying youth voices in addressing global challenges. The LBF’s Waves & Voices Dialogue stands as a shining example of how young people in Nigeria and across Africa are stepping up to shape sustainable futures.
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