November 4, 2025

Yes I Can 2.0: Empowering Young Professionals to Rise Above Self-Doubt

At Proten International, we’ve always believed that every young professional deserves access to the tools, mentorship, and mindset needed to thrive in their career. That’s why the Yes I Can initiative was created to help young talents overcome self-doubt, discover their strengths, and step confidently into their next chapter.

This mission came alive again at Yes I Can 2.0, held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at the Fidelity SME Hub in Lagos. The event brought together corporate leaders, mentors, and young professionals for a day of bold conversations, shared experiences, and real strategies for growth.

We’re proud that The Guardian recognised the impact of this movement, featuring Yes I Can 2.0 in a recent publication that highlighted the conversations, lessons, and stories shared during the event.

The event started with Ademola Fagbile, Senior Manager of Operations and Strategy at Proten International, who walked participants through the different phases of career development from exploration to establishment. 

Yes I Can
Yes I Can 2.0: Empowering Young Professionals to Rise Above Self-Doubt

To a panel session with Peter Daodu (Piggyvest), Ibukun Olaseile-Obaitor (Interswitch Group), and Oyinkansola Ayodele (Renowned Fashion Entrepreneur), every panellist brought a unique perspective that resonated deeply with the audience.

Ademola shared a practical roadmap for building a fulfilling career, reminding participants that growth isn’t linear but shaped by reflection, persistence, and clarity of purpose. He emphasised the need to embrace consistency, seek mentorship, and stay adaptable through the evolving stages of one’s career journey.

Peter unpacked the emotional side of career growth by addressing how self-doubt is inevitable but manageable through self-awareness and reflection on past achievements. He encouraged young professionals to track their wins and use them as evidence to silence internal doubts.

Ibukun spoke on discovering purpose and navigating uncertainty, highlighting how challenges often refine direction and push individuals toward clarity. Her story reminded attendees that every setback can redirect them closer to where they are meant to be.

For Oyinkansola, confidence meant authenticity by showing up as your real self even when it feels uncomfortable. She spoke on the power of self-acceptance, urging participants to replace negative self-talk with empowering affirmations and to “show up, even when you’re still figuring it out.”

Together, their stories formed a powerful reminder that confidence isn’t the absence of fear, but it’s the courage to act despite it.

Yes I Can
Yes I Can 2.0: Empowering Young Professionals to Rise Above Self-Doubt

The theme, “Overcoming Self-Doubt and Limiting Beliefs for Career Success,” pushed attendees to redefine confidence and embrace self-awareness as a foundation for progress. Participants also gained access to mentorship opportunities, networking sessions, and professional development resources, all designed to turn inspiration into action.

To close the event, Isaac Olorunshola, Research and Development Analyst at Proten International, led an engaging interactive session that helped participants translate what they’d learned into actionable steps. Using a structured goal-setting framework, he guided attendees to map out clear, practical plans for their personal and professional growth.

As part of our continued commitment to nurturing young talent, we’ve launched a 4-week mentorship program for selected participants. An opportunity to go beyond the event and build long-term career growth habits.

About Yes I Can

Yes I Can
Yes I Can 2.0: Empowering Young Professionals to Rise Above Self-Doubt

Yes I Can is a free, in-person career development program powered by Proten International. It is designed to help young professionals build confidence, gain career clarity, and access practical mentorship opportunities. Each edition focuses on addressing a key challenge faced by today’s workforce through actionable insights and real-world experiences.

If you would like to attend one of the next editions. Join The Yes I Can Community here.

Unlock Potential. Develop Leaders 2
Unlock Potential. Develop Leaders 1

Unlock Potential. Develop Leaders.

Proten creates tailored learning experiences that help teams grow, perform, and lead with confidence. From leadership development to technical and soft-skills training, we equip your people to deliver results that move the business forward.

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