Entrepreneur and philanthropist Tochi Wigwe, Director of The HOW Foundation, has wrapped up the final edition of the Town Hall Series under the TW Entrepreneurship 2030 Agenda (#TWEAGENDA) — a transformative five-year program committed to equipping over 5,000 micro and small business owners with innovative, non-financial tools for long-term growth.
A Listening Platform for Business Voices
Launched as part of a nationwide effort to understand the real struggles of Nigeria’s entrepreneurs, the town halls created a space for open dialogue. While each event was designed for 100 participants, the grand finale on August 2, 2025, drew 150 entrepreneurs, reflecting the growing momentum behind the initiative.
From an initial pool of 4,000 applications, more than 350 business founders across fashion, beauty, agriculture, creative industries, and hospitality were carefully shortlisted. These sessions offered rare opportunities for entrepreneurs to exchange ideas, build networks, and engage directly with seasoned professionals.
Leading Industry Figures Share Insights
The series brought together some of Nigeria’s most dynamic voices, including Beatrice N. Eneh, Sandrah Tubobereni, Hilda Bassey, Seyi Awolowo, Tania Omotayo, Taymesan, Dare Aliu, Anahid Inegbese, and Bankole Williams. Their discussions focused not only on immediate hurdles like access to markets but also on the strategic gaps that limit small businesses from scaling.
The Role of the #TWEAGENDA Think Tank
Central to the initiative is the #TWEAGENDA Think Tank — a body of professionals nominated by the public to analyse feedback from the sessions and design solutions that go beyond financing. Current members include Dare Adebayo, Gbesan Olatunji, Abiola Adewole, Dr. Orlando Odejide, Amarachukwu Nwokokoro, and Yetunde Ajibade.
Tochi Wigwe commended their commitment, noting that findings already highlight a critical truth: “Entrepreneurs are asking for structure, strategy, and guidance, not just funding.”
A Roadmap Beyond Capital
The initiative’s next phase will focus on practical frameworks that help entrepreneurs build resilience and scale sustainably. According to Wigwe, updates on the tailored solutions will be shared by the end of the year, signaling a new chapter in the journey to reshape Nigeria’s SME landscape.
Observers say the approach represents a shift in how entrepreneurial support is designed in Nigeria, moving away from one-off grants toward systemic, innovation-driven support systems.
