Verto, a global B2B cross-border payments platform, sponsored an exclusive, invite-only event during President Tinubu’s UK–Nigeria State Visit to London.
The event, hosted by Nigeria’s Ministry of Youth Development and The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), concentrated on the theme “Leveraging Youth Development, Innovation and Entrepreneurship”; and featured a keynote address by Verto’s Co-Founder and CEO, Ola Oyetayo.
Delivered in partnership with ODBA and the Institute of Directors (IoD), the event brought together investors, operators, and key stakeholders from both countries, all committed to supporting Nigeria’s growing startup ecosystem.
Speakers included:
- Ayodele Olawande – Minister of Youth Development, Nigeria
- Charles Odii – Director General, SMEDAN
- Khalil Suleiman Halilu – Director General, NASENI
- Hannah Williams – Director, UK Department for Business and Trade
The discussions highlighted the scale and momentum of youth entrepreneurship and SMEs in Nigeria, while addressing the challenges founders face.
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It showcased how government agencies, development partners, and ecosystem stakeholders are actively creating opportunities to support Nigerian youth and founders, from access to funding and capacity building to scaling into global markets.
Commenting on the event, Ola Oyetayo, Co-Founder and CEO of Verto said: “Verto was founded in London with a clear mission: to connect African businesses with the world and help them scale globally. In many ways, we are a living example of the UK–Nigeria relationship in action.
“By enabling SMEs to move money seamlessly across borders, we’re not only simplifying business operations, but empowering entrepreneurs to grow beyond local markets and participate fully in the global economy,” he continued.
Against the backdrop of the enduring UK–Nigeria relationship, the event underscored the role of cross-border collaboration in driving sustainable growth, innovation, and investment, reflecting a partnership built on shared interests and mutual economic benefit.
