… Call on youth to build skills beyond education
As teenagers navigate a world being rapidly transformed by technology, social media and artificial intelligence, parents have been urged to rethink how they raise, communicate with and prepare their children for the future, with experts stressing that academic grades alone cannot guarantee greatness.
The call formed a major highlight of the Parents Teens Summit 2026, organised by Timeless Soul Ltd. on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Eko FM Marque, Lagos, with the theme, “Beyond Grades to Greatness.”
The event was chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Housing, Engr. AbdulHafiz Gbolahan Toriola, and brought together parents, caregivers and teenagers from Lagos and beyond, alongside experts from different walks of life, with support from its sponsors and partners, including Debbo Africa, Lotus Bank and Goxi Microfinance Bank.
Muslim News gathered that the summit created an open space for parents and teenagers to understand one another, share perspectives and build supportive homes where young people can explore their interests and fulfil their potential.
Don’t silence curious children, nurture their creativity
The keynote speaker, Mr Kolawole Osinowo, warned parents against shushing or name-calling children who think aloud, urging them instead to encourage and guide their curiosity.
Speaking on “The World Our Children Will Reinvent: Why Courage, Curiosity and Creativity Matter More Than Ever,” Osinowo said parents carried an enormous responsibility to prepare their children for a rapidly changing world.
“As parents, we can’t afford to fail. The task before us is enormous, and we must take responsibility, to listen attentively, and create an enabling environment where they feel comfortable to express themselves. We must not quiet them for any reason. Doing that will only rid their confidence,” he said.
He stressed that parents did not necessarily have to finance every curiosity their children developed, but warned against discouraging them from thinking and asking questions.
“You don’t have to fund every curiosity of theirs, but don’t discourage them from thinking. Don’t kill their spiritedness and curiosity. Let them think loud and wide. It’s their world, let them explore it,” Osinowo said.
Parents must learn to navigate difficult questions
Osinowo said the world teenagers inhabit today is significantly different from the one their parents grew up in, making their questions and concerns sometimes difficult for adults to immediately understand.
“We admit that our world is totally different from theirs. Things are changing very rapidly, and for that reason, they’re asking questions endlessly. We’re not for all the questions every time, but we have to be careful in handling such,” he said.
He advised parents that it was not necessary to answer every question immediately, encouraging them to take time to find an appropriate response.
“Just buy time, till you have the most appropriate response to give,” he added.
He described the world teenagers are growing into as volatile and rapidly changing, urging adults to allow them to continue asking questions while providing the courage, guidance and support needed to channel their curiosity positively.
“The world they are in changes very rapidly. It is volatile, so it makes them wonder from time to time. Let them keep asking. Give them courage, nurture their creativity and curiosity,” he said.
The keynote speaker also challenged adults to see interactions with teenagers as an opportunity to learn, noting that parents themselves must continually acquire deeper knowledge of the world their children inhabit.
He stressed that although academic grades remain important, they should not become the sole measure of a child’s success, particularly during the teenage years.
Panellists urge youth to gain skills beyond education
The summit also featured an adult panel session for adults on “The Opportunity Gap: Connecting Education, Employability and Purpose,” moderated by Haneehah Gbadegesin.
The panel comprised Dr. Ebun Fawole, Dr. Noimot Badru Balogun, Mr. Sherifdeen Hassan and Mr. Muhammad Husseini
The panellists emphasised the importance of education, describing it as an “equaliser” capable of giving the son of a “nobody” the opportunity to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with prominent members of society and receive handshakes from high-profile personalities.
They noted that education could provide access and opportunities that might otherwise remain beyond the reach of people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
However, the panel observed that society was witnessing a shift from what used to be regarded simply as an opportunity gap to an employability gap, as organisations increasingly focus on what individuals can actually bring to the table.
They therefore encouraged young people to gain practical experience alongside formal education, recommending volunteering as one of the ways teenagers and young adults could build skills, expand their networks and bridge the gap between education and employability.
The panelists also urged parents to intentionally identify the potential of their teenagers and help them connect those abilities with a clear sense of purpose.
They noted that the emergence of social media and artificial intelligence had created enormous opportunities as well as risks for young people.
According to them, what ultimately determines the impact of these technologies is how they are deployed, stressing that young people can use them constructively to create value or destructively to undermine themselves and others.
Parents were therefore encouraged to guide teenagers towards productive use of technology while allowing them enough room to explore, experiment and develop their creativity.
“We’re trying” — teenagers speak to adults
One of the most memorable aspects of the summit was the teen panel, which gave young participants the opportunity to speak directly to adults about the realities of growing up in today’s world.
Moderated by Fareedah Bombata, the session was titled “Dear Adults, We’re Trying — The Fears, Pressures and Possibilities Behind Today’s Teenage Experience.”
Esther Nwachukwu, Dumebi Adigwe, Abdullah Lawal and Abdur-Rahman Olaleye took adults into the world of teenagers, offering perspectives on their fears, pressures, aspirations and struggles.
The session proved to be an eye-opener for many adults, particularly in helping them understand the “wiring, engineering and perspectives” of teenagers and the realities they have to cope with.
The teenagers explained that they aspire to greatness just as much as their parents want it for them, but emphasised that they are still learning, growing and becoming.
They lamented what they described as the unreceptive attitude of some adults when young people attempt to open up about their experiences, thoughts or challenges.
The young shall grow urged parents and other adults to provide reassurance and a sense of safety, stressing that young people need to know that they can speak without automatically being judged, dismissed or condemned.
According to them, greater understanding from parents would help teenagers make informed decisions, develop better perspectives and navigate the challenges of growing up more confidently.
The SUAD Global Impact Honours celebrates courage
The summit also featured the SUAD Global Impact Honours, which recognised adults and young people making meaningful contributions and creating impact in different ways.
Mr Lawal J. was recognised as the Classroom Innovator after being nominated by his school, Muslim Hands Toyyibat School, for his creative approach to learning and his ability to think outside the box.
The Courage Beyond Barriers Award went to Mrs Islamiyyah A. who has transformed her personal experience of parenting a child with special needs into advocacy, while creating safe and supportive spaces for children with special needs and their families.
Abeedah A. was also honoured for demonstrating resilience and courage in embracing and navigating her special needs journey, while Khairat R. was recognised as a trailblazer in her school for using her literary works and voice to make an impact.
Convener promises continuity
The Convener of the Parents Teens Summit, Hajia Aameenah Yunus-Ali, expressed delight at the successful completion of another edition of the teen-centred initiative.
She said Timeless Soul Ltd. would continue to mastermind relevant conversations and seek common ground among members of the family, particularly parents and teenagers.
Yunus-Alli expressed deep appreciation to the organisation’s partners, Debbo Africa, Lotus Bank and Goxi Microfinance Bank, as well as everyone who contributed to making the 2026 edition a success.
The summit ended with a renewed call for parents, caregivers and teenagers to build stronger relationships and embrace a broader definition of success—one that combines academic achievement with purpose, character, creativity, emotional resilience, leadership and the ability to make a positive impact on society.
Sponsored
Nigerian Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Global Muslim Personalities of the Year 2024/2025
Discover more from Muslim News Nigeria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.