IGANMU, LAGOS — The landscape for early-stage venture funding in Lagos received a substantial private sector boost as youth empowerment group OmoeKOH concluded its inaugural Wealth and Impact Summit at the National Theatre.
The community platform announced a direct ₦200 million capital injection consisting of cash grants, productivity hardware, and corporate registration packages aimed at scaling up informal youth-led micro-enterprises across the state.
The inaugural event drew over 5,000 tech developers, graphic artists, small traders, and young business owners. The initiative was established by its convener, Alhaji Imran Oladimeji Hamzat, to spot, fund, and mentor high-potential entrepreneurs who have been building localized business models with limited institutional support.
De-Risking Early-Stage Venture Pitches
A key highlight of the summit was a competitive business pitch session that drew over 3,000 entries. Twenty-five founders were selected to pitch their business models to a panel of corporate judges, with the top three securing equity-free expansion grants.
The remaining 22 finalists received ₦500,000 each to help support their short-term operational capital needs.
To expand beyond cash funding, the organizers distributed professional laptops to graphic designers and software developers, supplied mobile phones to content creators, and fully funded Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and SMEDAN registrations for more than 1,000 small businesses.
Aligning Corporate Support with Public Policy
Speaking at the summit on behalf of Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, praised the initiative for supporting government job creation programs.
To build long-term corporate support, OmoeKOH partnered with Jobberman, Providus Bank, and the Lagos State Health Management Agency ($\text{LASHMA}$) to provide career counseling, open commercial bank accounts, and register participants for health insurance schemes on-site.
Founder Imran Oladimeji Hamzat explained that the platform was designed to give young, overlooked entrepreneurs a structured space to pitch their ideas, receive funding, and transition into the formal economy.
