The Mary Ojulari Foundation has strengthened its commitment to sustainable development and youth-led enterprise by awarding fifty million naira in grants to eight young Nigerian entrepreneurs. The funding announcement was made during the Vanguard Fellowship Ignite Bootcamp Awards and Networking Cocktail Night held in Lagos, marking the conclusion of the Foundation’s second cohort of its two-week entrepreneurial bootcamp.
Each of the selected fellows will receive six million, two hundred and fifty thousand naira to scale their ventures, following an intensive training programme designed to sharpen their business models, strengthen their market readiness, and improve their long-term sustainability. The initiative reflects the Foundation’s mission to equip young Nigerians with the tools, capital, and networks required to build resilient businesses that can drive jobs and community impact.
The bootcamp, delivered in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria and a wide network of industry leaders, exposed participants to practical case studies, strategic mentorship, and sector insights across finance, manufacturing, media, healthcare, government, and development organisations. The Foundation explained that the model ensures fellows continue to receive ongoing support, including market access and business advisory opportunities, even after the programme ends.
A total of fifty entrepreneurs took part in the second cohort, representing sectors such as agro-processing, fashion, manufacturing, technology, health, and the creative industries. Participants were admitted after a competitive selection process that prioritised innovation, community relevance, and long-term sustainability. They underwent hands-on sessions delivered by industry practitioners, experienced operators, and policy experts who provided real-world perspectives on scaling a small enterprise in the Nigerian environment.
During the awards ceremony, the Foundation reiterated that unlocking entrepreneurial potential remains central to Nigeria’s economic transformation. It noted that young founders are creating jobs, developing solutions to community challenges, and demonstrating resilience despite the constraints of the current business environment. The organisation expressed appreciation to its partners and mentors for contributing expertise and resources to shape emerging business leaders.
The event also featured a keynote address that underscored the need for Nigeria to invest in skills development, access to capital, digital literacy, supportive policy frameworks, mentorship communities, and platforms that nurture small business growth. The speaker emphasised that entrepreneurship requires long-term investment and urged partners to continue supporting initiatives that develop job creators rather than job seekers.
In its first edition in 2025, the Foundation supported twenty-five entrepreneurs with one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars in catalytic grants after admitting fifty participants into the inaugural bootcamp. With the additional fifty million naira awarded to the new cohort, the Foundation continues to expand its investment in grassroots enterprise development across Lagos and other parts of the country. The growing scale of support demonstrates an ongoing commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s MSME ecosystem and accelerating youth-led economic growth.
