The ancient city of Ado Ekiti came alive on Saturday as thought leaders, academics, entrepreneurs and public office holders converged on the Fajuyi Park axis for the 2026 edition of The Mindshift Conference, a gathering designed to provoke reflection, inspire discipline and ignite purposeful action among young people across Ekiti State.
The conference, themed Ownership: Dominate Your Outcomes, marks the end of the week long activities drawing participants from tertiary institutions, government establishments, faith based organisations and the private sector, all united by a central message that the future is not a lottery but a responsibility that must be consciously embraced.
The Convener of the annual event, Isaac Ajisafe, a business and leadership consultant, author and entrepreneur, highlighted the practical dimension of the conference by empowering ten youths with a total sum of N2.8 million to support startups and small scale businesses, a move widely applauded by attendees as a concrete demonstration of the ownership principle being preached.
Ajisafe explained that the philosophy behind the conference is rooted in the belief that young people must shift from passive expectation to active participation in shaping their destinies, stressing that productivity begins with a deliberate decision to take charge of one’s knowledge, skills and opportunities.
Resource persons drawn from across administrative sectors of tertiary institutions in Ekiti State, alongside public office holders, successful business men and women, academics and religious leaders, delivered sessions that revolved around self leadership, strategic thinking and the discipline required to translate knowledge into measurable results.
The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Dr Temitope Alake, in his presentation titled Discipline Before Destiny, charged participants to cultivate self discipline as a non negotiable foundation for success, maintaining that destiny is not merely discovered but governed by consistent habits and informed decisions.
Dr Alake urged young minds to think beyond conventional limitations by embracing focus, upskilling and preparation, noting that opportunity often meets only those who are ready. He further highlighted the importance of financial discipline and the need to develop multiple streams of income in a rapidly changing economic landscape.
Also speaking, Dr Jadesola Babatola, a historian and university registrar, emphasised the critical role of mentorship and networking, advising participants to intentionally connect with individuals whose values and trajectories align with their aspirations.
According to him, many people are not trapped by circumstances but by lack of preparation, a condition she described as a silent barrier to progress. He encouraged continuous skill acquisition and personal development, insisting that productive outcomes are rarely accidental but are usually the result of sustained effort and responsibility.
Also, a Wealth creation expert and author, Dr Tunde Afe, expanded the conversation by presenting ten wisdom principles for modern productivity, stressing that hard work, though essential, is no longer sufficient in isolation within a digital and technology driven era.
He explained that innovation consistently outperforms repetition and that energy management often produces better results than the mere number of hours worked. Dr Afe further noted that hard work without visibility, strategic relationships, timing and adaptability can limit growth, adding that the intelligent use of artificial intelligence tools can amplify impact and efficiency.
He also urged organisations to look beyond certificates when assessing potential, arguing that competence, creativity and strategic thinking are becoming more decisive factors in today’s knowledge economy.
A Youth advocate and leader, Pastor Oluwabusiwa Fabulous, called on participants to cultivate determination and transform adversity into strength, warning against the culture of blame that shifts responsibility to external forces. He maintained that the future is neither mysterious nor arbitrary but is shaped by mindset, discipline and the courage to embrace change.
In his contribution, Pastor Tunji Aribasoye, Senior Special Assistant to the Ekiti State Governor, addressed the interplay between relationships, career growth and personal stability, stressing the importance of financial responsibility, mental wellness, faith and spiritual growth as integral components of a balanced and successful life.
Beneficiaries of the financial grant and participants at the event who expressed optimism that the blend of financial empowerment and intellectual engagement would spark a ripple effect across communities, noted that the central message which is ownership, is not merely a slogan but a daily commitment to dominate one’s outcomes through knowledge, discipline and strategic action.
They commended the organisers of the programme for the direct impacts and ripple effects it will create in the economy of the state and the nation as a whole, noting that building the young min ds towards success is the best thing to do at a time when many people are distracted despite the economic opportunities available to them.