Five outstanding women-led enterprises have been announced as finalists for the N20 million Unicorn Project, a flagship initiative by SoMe Solutions in partnership with Premier Business Network (PBN) designed to accelerate the growth of female-owned businesses across Nigeria. The programme, which aims to address the persistent challenges women face in accessing funding, mentorship, and visibility, is part of a broader effort to strengthen gender inclusion within Nigeria’s entrepreneurship landscape.
The finalists include Nancy Amaku of Chef Nahnah Foods & Confectioneries Ltd, Aderoju Dasola Elizabeth of Eliz-Bags & Accessories, Opeyemi Adebisi of Pemnia Wellness, Kieva Chris-Amusan of Fertitude, and Abejide Oluwatosin Mercy of House of Rheevo Limited. These women were selected from a competitive pool of more than 120 applicants nationwide, reflecting the depth of innovation, creativity, and resilience driving female entrepreneurship in the country. Before reaching the finalist stage, they were inducted into the Unicorn Community — a platform that provides mentorship, peer learning, business development guidance, and strategic networking to help women-led enterprises scale.
Speaking on the initiative, the organisers said the Unicorn Project is not just about financial support but about creating a pathway for sustainable growth by combining funding with capacity building, visibility, and brand positioning. “The Unicorn Project isn’t just about funding; it’s about turning potential into lasting impact,” said the founder of SoMe Solutions, adding that the initiative was created to showcase the remarkable work women are doing across different sectors and help them build globally competitive businesses.
The next phase of the competition will see the finalists participate in a public engagement process that includes storytelling campaigns, online voting, and a rigorous evaluation by a panel of industry experts. This stage is expected to spotlight their business models, growth potential, and social impact, while also building public support and brand recognition for their ventures.
The winner, to be announced later this year, will receive a ₦500,000 cash prize and ₦20 million worth of brand and public relations support to scale their enterprise, expand market reach, and attract new growth opportunities. Beyond the winner’s prize, all finalists will continue to benefit from the Unicorn Community’s ecosystem of support, mentorship, and exposure to investors and partners.
For women-led MSMEs, initiatives like the Unicorn Project are increasingly significant as they address key barriers such as access to capital, mentorship, and market visibility. They also highlight the critical role women play in driving inclusive economic growth, job creation, and innovation in Nigeria’s small business sector. By nurturing these enterprises, the programme is not only strengthening individual businesses but also contributing to a broader ecosystem that empowers women to become major players in Nigeria’s evolving business landscape.
