The Yinka Ash Art, Research and Technology Programme (YAART), a leading philanthropic initiative empowering young African creators and entrepreneurs, held the fourth edition of its transformative event last week.
Organised in collaboration with Bowen University in Iwo, Osun State, the event attracted over 600 students for an immersive experience centred on creativity and business innovation. Highlights included an inspiring keynote by Yinka Ash — renowned entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Founder/CEO of Ashcorp, the parent company behind luxury fashion powerhouses Ashluxe and Ashluxury — who shared insights from his journey building a multi-million-dollar fashion empire.
During his address, Ash pointed out that less than 20% of graduates are gainfully employed within the first year of their graduation. He attributed this reality to the growing need for students to distinguish themselves early. To help them navigate these challenges, he outlined six key principles to stand out from the crowd, emphasizing that life will throw real challenges their way. He urged students to always document their ideas and to learn to start small, saying, “If you wait for a big idea, for a big amount of money before you start anything, you will not achieve much.”
The event also featured a dynamic panel discussion and a competitive pitch session. The top three student entrepreneurs were awarded seed grants of N1,000,000, N750,000, and N500,000 respectively, to invest in their ventures.
Previous editions of YAART have been successfully hosted at Babcock University, Caleb University, and Pan-Atlantic University (PAU), each drawing hundreds of students and emerging talents from across the country.
Yinka Ash continues to inspire the next generation through YAART. Since its founding in 2021, the programme has become a catalyst for creativity, innovation, and economic empowerment among youth across Nigeria.
“Creativity alone is not enough; you need structure, mentorship, and access to opportunity. That’s what YAART is about — building bridges for the next generation so they can go even further than we have,” said Ash during his keynote address to an audience of eager young minds. “It’s not enough to succeed. Real success means creating systems that make it easier for those coming behind you. That’s how you build legacy,” he added.
Under Yinka’s visionary leadership, Ashcorp has launched brands that have become synonymous with luxury and aspiration across Africa. Through YAART, he is now paying it forward, investing in the future of young African talent.
With plans to expand across Africa and into the UK, where Ashcorp is rapidly growing its footprint, YAART remains a powerful force for social impact and entrepreneurial development.
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