The Mary Ojulari Foundation has announced the call for applications for the second cohort of its flagship entrepreneurship initiative, the Vanguard Fellowship, aimed at identifying, equipping, and elevating visionary innovators across Nigeria.
Following the success of its inaugural edition, which supported 25 entrepreneurs with $125,000 in business growth funding, the Foundation is inviting a new wave of changemakers to join the Vanguard community a platform that connects ideas with opportunity, mentorship, and measurable impact.
The Vanguard Fellowship Cohort 2 continues the Foundation’s mission to nurture purpose-driven entrepreneurs who are building sustainable solutions to pressing social and economic challenges. Through a blend of capacity building, business mentorship, and catalytic funding, the program empowers participants to transform innovative ideas into scalable enterprises.
Applications are open from September 24 to October 26, 2025, with shortlisting scheduled for October 30, followed by interviews on November 1–2, 2025. Shortlisted applicants will take part in the Ignite Bootcamp, a two-week immersive learning experience running from November 10–21, 2025, culminating in a Pitch Day on November 20–21, where fellows will present their business ideas to a panel of investors and industry leaders for a chance to receive seed funding and continued mentorship.
Speaking about the initiative, Founder of the Mary Ojulari Foundation, Mrs. Mary Ojulari, said the Fellowship is designed to bridge the gap between innovation and opportunity.
“There are so many ideas that fade, not because they lack potential, but because they lack access to capital, mentorship, and the right mindset. The Vanguard Fellowship exists to nurture those ideas and the exceptional individuals behind them,” Ojulari said.
“We’re building a community of bold thinkers who lead with purpose, create sustainable value, and inspire others to rise. Empowerment, at its core, must create a ripple effect transforming individuals while strengthening the communities they serve.”
She added that the goal is to support founders who are intentional, disciplined, and ready to build solutions that make lives better.
Applications are open to aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs across Nigeria who are developing innovative, sustainable solutions to real challenges in their communities. Interested applicants can submit either a five-minute video or a 750-word written piece detailing their story, business idea, and vision for impact to vanguardfellowship@maryojularifoundation.org.
The Mary Ojulari Foundation says it remains committed to empowering young innovators, strengthening entrepreneurship capacity, and driving inclusive economic growth across Nigeria.
