A major political convergence of emerging leaders, grassroots mobilisers and key stakeholders is set to take place in Ibadan as the Oyo State Emerging Political Leaders Summit 2026 holds on August 24 and 25 at the Ibadan Civic Centre.

With the theme, “Bridging the Gap, Uniting Political Strength, and Mobilizing Emerging Leaders for 2027,” the summit is being positioned by its organisers as a strategic platform for political reconciliation, inclusion and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The two-day gathering is expected to bring together emerging political leaders and stakeholders across party lines, independent mobilisers, community leaders, youth and women leaders, civil society actors and members of the media.

Although the summit is expected to accommodate participants from the APC, PDP, APM and other political parties, its stated objective includes strengthening support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State and building momentum for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

A major attraction of the summit will be the participation of Dr. Zacch Adedeji, PhD, Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, who is billed to serve as Chief Facilitator.

Dr. Adedeji is expected to lead a session titled “Fiscal Renewal, Revenue Mobilization, and the Economic Future of Oyo State in the Context of Nigeria’s Progressive National Agenda.” The session is expected to examine the relationship between economic governance, revenue mobilisation and the future development of Oyo State within the broader framework of the Federal Government’s economic reforms.

The summit will also feature Senator Barau I. Jibrin, Deputy President of the Senate, as Special Guest of Honour.

Another prominent figure expected at the event is Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who will deliver the keynote address.

Wike’s address, titled “Bridging Political Divides, Building Strategic Alliances, and Mobilizing Oyo State for Progressive Victory in 2027,” is expected to focus on political reconciliation, coalition-building and the need for strategic alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.

The summit’s line-up further includes Comrade Ayodele Wisdom Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, who will speak on youth mobilisation and political inclusion; Mr. Dayo Israel, National Youth Leader of the APC, who will address the future of grassroots mobilisation; and Barrister Ismael Ahmed, OON, Executive Chairman of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, who will examine energy reform, youth enterprise and economic opportunity.

Other speakers listed by the organisers include Barrister Seyi Tinubu, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, Chief Engineer Dotun Sanusi and Honourable Engineer Aderemi Abass Oseni.

Their respective sessions will focus on youth political consciousness, reconciliation and inclusion, private-sector participation in grassroots mobilisation, and grassroots representation within the APC.

The summit is expected to attract more than 1,000 participants from across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State, giving the gathering the potential to become one of the significant political meetings ahead of the 2027 electoral season.

One of the major highlights will be the launch of the 50 Below 50 Project, Oyo State Chapter, an initiative expected to spotlight and encourage younger political leaders and stakeholders.

The event will also witness the signing of a Generational Inclusion Pact by Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the APC’s Oyo State 2027 governorship candidate, alongside emerging political leaders from across the state.

For the organisers, the summit goes beyond another political gathering. It is intended as an intervention in a political environment often characterised by fragmentation, competing interests and strained relationships among stakeholders.

By bringing together actors from different political backgrounds while maintaining a clear progressive political objective, the organisers hope to create a broader network of emerging leaders capable of influencing grassroots mobilisation and shaping the political conversation in Oyo State ahead of 2027.

The choice of emerging political leaders as the summit’s central constituency is particularly significant. With Nigeria’s political landscape increasingly demanding stronger youth participation and fresh leadership, the organisers appear to be betting on a new generation of political actors to play a decisive role in the next electoral cycle.

Whether the summit will translate its ambitious rhetoric into a durable political coalition remains to be seen. But with a high-powered list of speakers, more than 1,000 expected participants and the Generational Inclusion Pact as one of its centrepieces, the Oyo State Emerging Political Leaders Summit 2026 is shaping up to be an important political event to watch as the road to 2027 gathers momentum.