The Ajegunle Business School (ABS) recently hosted a dual celebration, graduating 17 certified entrepreneurs while simultaneously honoring 14 resilient business innovators at its annual entrepreneurship awards ceremony. The event served as a platform to redefine the core mission of an entrepreneur—a philosophy that is driving the school’s impact in the face of national economic challenges.
Alfred Konaughe, Founder/CEO of ABS, emphasized that the awards celebrate those who have been “resilient and innovative” in their approach, recognizing achievements across various fields from ‘Start-up of the Year’ to ‘CEO of the Year.’ He noted that true entrepreneurs, like the historical greats, are those who rise to the next phase during economic difficulties.
The ABS Philosophy: Value First
A key takeaway from the intensive eight-week course was the philosophical shift instilled in the graduates. Ijeoma Vivian Nwabue, one of the graduating students, shared her profound realization:
“One of the things I learnt from the programme is that an entrepreneur is someone who sees a problem and offers a solution to it and not just somebody who has a business that brings profits… It is in the process of offering a solution or adding value that the money comes.”
Nwabue immediately applied this principle, launching a business focused on simplifying nail care services for both male and female clients—a niche she identified as underserved.
Validation and Visibility
For the awardees, the recognition served as powerful validation. Chioma Ukpabi, CEO of Sukk Technologies Limited, expressed her gratitude, noting that being celebrated by ABS confirmed she was doing something “visible and right” in her community.
Similarly, fashion entrepreneur Sidikat Folami, who has expanded her work into textile waste management, was proud to receive an award that recognized her roots in the fashion industry. She described the honour as a much-needed “tap in the back” and a ‘kudos’ to her work over the past year.
The school maintains a rigorous monitoring and evaluation mechanism, staying connected with its graduates through an alumni group to assess their progress and ensure the long-term impact of its training.
