Two young Nigerians have emerged winners of N500,000 business grants each at the 2025 edition of EMERGE, a career and enterprise growth summit organised by The Peak Performer (TPP) Africa.
The winners, selected from more than 2,000 applicants across the country, impressed judges with their innovative business ideas during a pitch competition held simultaneously in Lagos and Abuja. Participants came from several states including Nasarawa, Kogi, Borno, Kano, Plateau, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom, and Ondo.
The summit, which drew a large number of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, underscored its focus on youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth.
This year’s edition was themed “21st Century Intelligence: Artificial or Emotional” and explored the balance between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emotional Intelligence (EI). Speaking on the theme, the convener of EMERGE explained that while technology delivers efficiency and precision, emotional intelligence is what sustains relationships, careers, and long-term business success. He stressed that AI cannot fully replace human insight, highlighting the need to integrate both in shaping Africa’s future.
The summit also attracted international recognition. The U.S. Consulate in Lagos commended the initiative, describing EMERGE as a transformational platform equipping Nigerian youth with emotional intelligence, entrepreneurial thinking, and leadership skills. The Consulate reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment and urged participants to embrace both AI and EI as tools for building a more ethical and inclusive future.
Beyond the grant competition, EMERGE 2025 featured masterclasses, career clinics, panel sessions, and workshops designed to equip participants with digital and human skills. Attendees described the programme as highly impactful and inspiring, noting its role in broadening opportunities for young Africans to thrive in a fast-changing world.
