The NEXT Con 2026: Young professionals set to gather at OAU to discuss career, business growth

By Adedoyin Oguntade

Young career professionals, personal brand experts, and business professionals are set to gather at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, to discuss growth and how youth can forge ahead. The conference, themed “The NEXT Con,” will be held on Friday, July 24, at the Opolo Hub on the university campus.

The lineup of featured speakers includes Ivy Elebesunu, a final-year Economics student at the University of Lagos who started as a data analyst in her freshman year, continuously stacking skills, and currently works in the marketing, creator economy, and brand partnerships space. Joining her is Ekighawogho Benson-Osagie, a part 4 Pharmacy student at the University of Benin; ranked the second top creator on LinkedIn from Nigeria, Benson-Osagie is an expert in freelancing, personal branding, and content marketing. The first group is completed by Prosperity Olorunfemi, a 200-level Computer Science student at Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, and one of the most-followed student creators on LinkedIn. Olorunfemi focuses on Africa, education, and technology, manages multiple businesses and initiatives while studying, and will be sharing his take on Artificial Intelligence and leveraging tech.

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Also speaking at the event is Peace Ayoola, a final-year Economics student at OAU who is experienced in internships, corporate culture, and financial analysis. Ayoola currently works as a data analyst and, in 2025, secured an intern role as an analyst at The Bank of America, United Kingdom. She will be joined by Emmanuel Omale, a first-class Mechanical Engineering graduate from Olabisi Onabanjo University who has worked with and grown multiple companies and raised funding, and will speak on startup building, business development, and innovation. Rounding out the lineup is Charles Olawabusayo, a graduate of the Federal Polytechnic Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, and a high-ranking designer who is set to speak on faith, finance, and media.

The convener of The NEXT Con 2026 is Success Oluwanifemi. For him, this event serves as an avenue for young individuals who are stuck at certain points in navigating their careers to learn from other young individuals who are making headway in their respective fields. Interested individuals can register for the conference via the link below.

https://tix.africa/discover/thenextcon

Ultimately, The Next Con 1.0 is set to allow youth to gain practical insights that can transform their career, strengthen their personal brand, grow their business, and connect with people who can help them take their next big step.