The spotlight will be on Ogun State this September as the Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge Programme (YSECP) concludes with a pitch competition and final event in Abeokuta.
Organised by the British Council, with King’s Trust International as technical partner and NerdzFactory Company Limited as delivery partner, the competition will take place on September 9, 2025, at the bH3 Events Centre.
The initiative, designed to empower young entrepreneurs between ages 18 and 35, has provided weeks of training, mentorship, and enterprise development for 80 participants, with deliberate inclusion of women and persons with disabilities.
At the finale, 16 finalists will present their business ideas before a panel of judges, with eight winners set to receive seed grants and tailored mentorship to scale their ventures.
According to Ade Olowojoba, Founding Partner at NerdzFactory, the programme is more than just a contest:
“It celebrates courage, innovation, and determination. With the support provided, these young entrepreneurs are better equipped to transform ideas into thriving businesses that drive inclusive growth across Ogun State and beyond.”
The YSECP, now in its third edition, was previously delivered in Lagos where more than 130 young people benefited—many of whom have since launched businesses or secured employment. Bringing the programme to Ogun State marks a strategic expansion, widening access to enterprise opportunities.
The final event will also bring together government officials, business leaders, British Council representatives, and community influencers, highlighting how enterprise development and innovation are shaping Nigeria’s youth economy.