According to a statement from the British Council, eight Nigerian entrepreneurs have been awarded grants by both the British Council and Prince’s Trust Worldwide, a charity owned by the King of England.
As per the press release, each entrepreneur received N250,000 for excelling in the ‘Sustainable Entrepreneurship Challenge Programme’. They emerged victorious after surpassing 16 other entrepreneurs in a rigorous selection process, which initially involved 60 entrepreneurs.
The council revealed that these entrepreneurs, aged between 18 and 35, presented their business ideas through Nerdz Factory to a panel of five judges who selected the winners.
Divided into two cohorts, the winners were recognized for various categories of business ideas. The first cohort included Most Innovative Business Idea (Blue Sands Stem Labs, Alero Thompson), Most Societally Friendly Business Idea (Mee Best Foods, Zenani Gbadume), Most Profitable Business Idea (Hems to Fit, Oluwatosin Rotimi), and Most Environmentally Friendly Business Idea (Ecodey Management Resources, Mansueah Shobulo).
The second cohort comprised Most Innovative Business Idea (Eco Feet), Most Societally Friendly Business Idea (Suss Flow, Olabisi Emmanuel), Most Profitable Business Idea (Cattle Technology, Emmanuel Nnamdi), and Most Environmentally Friendly Business Idea (Buy Scrap Nigeria).
Lucy Pearson, the British Council’s Country Director, who attended the event, emphasized the Council’s dedication to Nigerian youth, stating that they will continue providing opportunities for skill development in various fields.
Pearson highlighted the importance of nurturing local talent and initiatives, considering it a pivotal factor in Nigeria’s economic growth.
She also commended Prince’s Trust International for collaborating closely with the council in shaping and executing the project.
Ade Olowojoba, representing Nerdz Factory, expressed gratitude towards the British Council for sponsoring the entrepreneurship challenge, underscoring its role in realizing the dreams of young entrepreneurs and business owners.
