LAGOS, Nigeria, May 24, 2023 – ‘Biodun and Ibikunle Foundation has announced five student entrepreneurs as beneficiaries of its 2023 Campus Kit Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Incubation Programme (UEIP).
The beneficiaries include: Princess Umana Owoh, student of University of Lagos and founder, Ambydated Foods Limited; Comfort Badmos, student of University of Ibadan and founder, Baams Creatives; Abosede Akintan, student of Federal University of Technology, Akure and founder, The Diet Muse and Motunrayo Odofin, student of Federal University of Technology, Akure and founder, Ty Pastries. Precious Ojutawo, a student of Federal University of Technology, Akure, and founder, Gold’s Couture, won the inaugural Women Inspired Award, an award by the Women Inspired Group in partnership with Biodun & Ibikunle Foundation.
Ambydated Foods Limited won an asset grant of N500,000, Baams Creatives won an asset grant of N200,000, while The Diet Muse and Ty Pastries got asset grants of N100,000 each. Gold’s Couture, as winner of the Women Inspired Award, a women group made up of past beneficiaries of Biodun & Ibikunle Foundation, got a cash grant of N100,000.
The Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Incubation Programme was launched early 2022 with a focus on supporting student entrepreneurs with entrepreneurial training and asset grants to boost their businesses. Applications for the 2023 programme ran from January 30 to February 26, 2023, and over thirty five applications were received from student entrepreneurs in tertiary institutions across Nigeria. Twenty-five businesses were shortlisted for a 4-week incubation period which was held between March 18 and April 15, 2023, and covered essential business and digital skills. Classes in the incubation period were facilitated by seasoned professionals including Mr Tunde Animashaun ACA ACTI – Partner, Animashaun Adetola & Co.; Mr Chibueze Kings – Creative Lead, Chuugo Creative Company; Mr Segun Abiona – Innovations Director, Nicole & Giovanni; and Mr Habeeb Ajijola – co-founder, Luminous Digital.
Upon successful completion of the incubation period, fifteen businesses were shortlisted for a review session from where five finalists emerged. The finalists were afterwards hosted to a breakfast meeting at the Wavebeach in Lekki, Lagos, on May 13, 2023. Thereafter, the beneficiaries and their grant amounts were announced via social media.
Speaking about the five beneficiaries, Biodun Adegoke, Founder of Biodun & Ibikunle Foundation, said, “The vision, creativity, and commitment of the beneficiaries to making a difference are inspiring, and we are honoured to support their businesses. We believe that their passion, knowledge, and expertise will bring about transformative outcomes, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.” He emphasised to the beneficiaries that the grant is not just an acknowledgement of their past achievements but also an investment in their potentials to create a brighter future for Nigeria. “We have full confidence in their abilities and are excited to witness the milestones they will achieve and the positive change they will bring about,” he added.
Oriyomi Adebare-Anthony, President of ‘Biodun and Ibikunle Foundation, said, “Entrepreneurship has become a viable alternative to paid employment and we are particularly glad that these undergraduates have found legitimate means of creating jobs for themselves and others. Our support for these young entrepreneurs stems from our belief that they have the capacity to effect change in the entrepreneurial landscape of Nigeria and the world at large.”