The Ajegunle Business School (ABS) recently celebrated a milestone in entrepreneurship development, graduating 17 young entrepreneurs and recognising 14 business innovators with awards across various sectors.
Alfred Konaughe, Founder and CEO of ABS, said the annual entrepreneurship awards honour resilience and innovation, with categories ranging from Start-up of the Year to Tech of the Year, CEO of the Year, and Businessman of the Year. “We are celebrating 14 entrepreneurs who have been resilient and innovative. We are also graduating 17 students who completed a certificate course in entrepreneurship and business development,” he stated.
Reflecting on the challenges the three-year-old institution has faced, Konaughe noted that obstacles define entrepreneurs. “Great entrepreneurs rise to the top during economic challenges. Real entrepreneurs move to the next phase in difficult times. But it has been an interesting venture,” he added. He also highlighted the school’s monitoring and evaluation system, which tracks graduates’ progress through an alumni network.
One of the graduates, Ijeoma Vivian Nwabue, described the eight-week training as highly impactful. “We learned a lot, from communication skills to creating business presentations. The programme gave us the foundational knowledge we need to be successful entrepreneurs,” she said. Nwabue emphasized that the course reshaped her understanding of entrepreneurship. “An entrepreneur is someone who identifies a problem and provides a solution, not just someone chasing profits. Offering solutions creates value, and value generates revenue.”
Nwabue has already applied this lesson by launching a nail care product targeting both men and women, addressing a gap she noticed in the market. “Before the training, I realised men often had limited options for nail care. My business provides a solution, and I feel excited to bring it to the market after completing the programme,” she said.
Chioma Ukpabi, CEO of Sukk Technologies Limited and one of the awardees, expressed gratitude to ABS, saying the recognition validated her work and impact in communities. “Being recognised shows that what we are doing is visible and meaningful,” she said.
Sidikat Folami, a fashion entrepreneur focusing on textile waste management, shared similar sentiments. “This award reconnects me to my roots and recognises the work I have been doing all year. It feels like a pat on the back, and I am proud of it,” she said.
Through its training, awards, and alumni engagement, ABS continues to nurture entrepreneurial talent, equipping young Nigerians with the skills and recognition needed to drive innovation and create meaningful businesses.
