Nigerian Entrepreneurs Seek Presidential Recognition, FG Funding After Pakistan Startup Triumph

By: Michael Mike

Eight Nigerian entrepreneurs who represented the country at the World Startup Championship (WSC) finals in Pakistan have called on the Federal Government to recognise their achievement and provide funding to enable them commercialise their innovations internationally.

The entrepreneurs, sponsored by the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI), made the appeal on Thursday after returning from the global innovation competition, where Team Nigeria won two awards across the country and individual categories.

Nigeria won the Country Award in the Growth and Innovation Category, while Uthman Fatimah Zahra of Nature’s Sleek Limited, Technology Incubation Centre (TIC), Minna, Niger State, received the Individual Award for Best Skincare and Beauty Products.

The team said the awards demonstrated the potential of Nigerian entrepreneurs to compete on the international stage, urging the government to build on the achievement by supporting them to move from innovation and small-scale production to international commercialisation.

Presenting the team’s message to the NBTI Director-General, Dr Kazeem Raji, directors, zonal directors, centre managers and the media, the entrepreneurs said their participation followed an invitation extended through the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, and the NBTI leadership.

According to them, more than 4,000 applications were received from over 40 countries for the championship, making Nigeria’s emergence as an award-winning country a significant achievement.

They attributed their performance partly to the training and certification received through the NBTI Technology Incubation Programme, including training in ISO 9001:2024, project management, export preparedness and corporate marketing.

The entrepreneurs said the exposure in Pakistan also provided opportunities to engage international businesses, investors and potential partners.

“At the World Startup Championship finals, each country was provided a booth and opportunity to market products to venture capitalists, angel investors and partners. The Nigerian booth was buzzing with activities,” they said.

The team said the boot camp held ahead of the finals further exposed the participants to international business-to-business and business-to-consumer engagements, while enabling them to showcase products developed in Nigeria.

The eight participants represented technology incubation centres across Uyo, Ile-Ife, Ibadan, Minna, Kaduna, Lagos, Bauchi and Port Harcourt, with products ranging from medical oxygen generation and food processing to agricultural technology, skincare, software and carbon-capture technology.

Among the innovations showcased were a medical oxygen generator by Ndotehyin Kingsley Ekanem of Latent Simulation Works Limited, Uyo; unripe plantain baking flour by Alawode Olukemi Folasade of Green Oasis Foods, Ile-Ife; and a range of processed food products by Saidat Omowumi Dauda of Abisal Megatop Limited, Ibadan.

Other participants included Uthman Fatimah Zahra, whose company produces shea butter and shea-butter-based hair-care products; Asma Begum Mirza of Muhammad and Roshaneh Farms Limited, Kaduna, which produces kilishi and damban nama; and Olabode Owoeye of Porter & Briggs Limited, Lagos, developer of DeployIQ.

Umar Rabiu Oyakhilome of Green-Tech Visionary Enterprise Limited, Bauchi, showcased the 9jaFarm Management System, while Bernard Emeka Eme of Benemes Nigeria Limited, Port Harcourt, presented Air Pollution Strainers (APS), a technology designed for direct carbon capture at the source of emissions.

The entrepreneurs said the experience had demonstrated that Nigerian innovations could attract international attention when given the right exposure, training and institutional backing.

They therefore urged the NBTI to facilitate Federal Government financial support to enable them implement the international commercialisation of their products and services.

They also appealed to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology to present the team to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for presidential recognition, arguing that entrepreneurs who had represented Nigeria successfully on the global stage deserved formal acknowledgement.

The team further called for NBTI and Federal Government support in engaging their respective state governments to provide appropriate facilities and infrastructure.

Such intervention, they said, would enable the entrepreneurs to scale their businesses, establish permanent production facilities, create jobs and increase their contributions to their local economies.

The entrepreneurs also requested logistics support of ₦6.83 million for each participant, saying the additional expenses arose from extended accommodation, local transportation, feeding requirements linked to dietary incompatibility and other flight-related logistics during the trip.

The individual award winner was also promised financial support of 100,000 Pakistani rupees, which the team estimated at about ₦490,000.

The entrepreneurs said detailed information on the trip, the competition and their achievements had been contained in reports submitted to the NBTI Director-General through the respective zonal directors.

They pledged to use the international exposure to expand their enterprises and contribute further to Nigeria’s economic development.

“On behalf of Team Nigeria, we, the eight entrepreneurs, really appreciate this opportunity and promise to even do more to change the narrative of our nation Nigeria,” they said.

Nigerian Entrepreneurs Seek Presidential Recognition, FG Funding After Pakistan Startup Triumph

Nigerian gospel artist, Oluseyi Solagbade storms London in August

By: Michael Mike

Nigerian gospel artist, Oluseyi Solagbade is expected to perform in London, on 15 August 2025.

The show is scheduled for Concord House, 23-27 Kemp Road, Dagenham, United Kingdom.

The praise concert which is organised by Bdot Music Empire and supported by Toxhann Concepts and events is Solagbade’s first outing in the UK.

The popular Sio cronny, is well known mostly among members of the Celestial Church of Christ and other denominations.

Apart from Sio, the legendary Celestial gospel artist has done other songs which include: Jehoval Alagbara, Ibamasepe and
idemija, among others.

Bdot Music Empire boss, Mr. Abidemi Adetunji said though it’s a gospel concert, it is however targeted at second and third generation Nigerians in the UK.

Adetunji said the essence is to ensure they are in touch with home even if they have not been to Nigeria before.

He said praising God in Nigeria tongue is something special in the UK.

⁠This would be Solagbade’s first show in the UK and he is hoping that it would be the beginning of more to come.

He said: “ ⁠We would like Nigerians in the United Kingdom to know that Oluseyi Solagbade would be coming to the UK for his first ever UK edition of Oluseyi’s Christ Cafe.

He would be lighting the show alongside some other guests artist like Sammypee, Tiwalola shitu, Israel Ekundayo, Ebenezer Opalemo, Damilola (Dee’Reign), Tunde Stainless, MoShoba, Tosin Adisa and Danny Jazz.”

Adetunji pointed out that the idea behind the music concert is to celebrate the divine gift of music within the Celestial Church of Christ and to bring together believers for an evening of live music, worship, and spiritual reflection.”

Adetunji further said that the concert goes along with the Nigeria first agenda of President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria will be showcased all through.

“⁠It is also part of promoting the culture. Praying and worshiping God in mother tongue,” he added.

Nigerian gospel artist, Oluseyi Solagbade storms London in August

Music Donates Towards Feeding, Education of Orphans, Abandoned Children in Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

Sony Music Entertainment has donated towards the feeding and payment of school fees of children at an orphanage home, Vines Heritage Home, Gwagwalada in Abuja, Nigeria.

The donation was presented through ActionAid Sweden to ActionAid Nigeria and disbursed to the orphanage home which house 219 orphans and abandoned children.

Presenting the donation to the Vines Heritage Home at the weekend in Abuja, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu disclosed that about $10,000 was donated by a musician on the Sony Music Entertainment label who felt persuaded to contribute towards bettering the living of orphans in the country.

He said the artiste chose to remain anonymous.

Mamedu said: “It is with great joy and gratitude that I stand before you today on behalf of ActionAid Nigeria to acknowledge and celebrate a significant milestone in our collective efforts towards promoting access to quality education and improving the well-being of children in Nigeria.

“We are deeply grateful for the generous funding support provided by Sony Entertainment through ActionAid Sweden. As a globally recognized organisation, Sony Entertainment understands the crucial role of investing in education and securing a brighter future for children. This invaluable support will significantly impact the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in our society, particularly the 76 girls from Vines Heritage Home (VHH) and the 219 children under our care.”

He added that: “Through this funding, ActionAid Nigeria will ensure the payment of school fees for the second and third terms of the 2024/2025 academic session for 76 girls in five schools within the Gwagwalada Area Council. This means that these young girls can continue their education without disruption, empowering them with the knowledge and skills they need to build brighter futures.

“In addition to supporting education, the funding has been also used to procure food and essential non-food items for 219 children in VHH. Proper nutrition and necessities are critical for a child’s overall development, and with this intervention, we are ensuring that no child in our care goes to bed hungry or lacks the essentials they need to thrive.”

Mamedu also said: “Furthermore, part of the funding from Sony Entertainment will be utilized to engage policymakers to advocate for better education policies that improve learning outcomes for children. By working closely with key decision-makers, we aim to create systemic changes that will enhance access to quality education and ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has an equal opportunity to succeed.

“I would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Sony Entertainment for their commitment to social responsibility and their willingness to invest in the future of our children. This act of generosity is a testament to the power of partnerships in driving meaningful change in our communities.”

He said: “We also recognize and appreciate the presence of our key stakeholders, including the representative from the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCTUBEB). Your dedication to strengthening the education sector is invaluable, and we look forward to continued collaboration to ensure that every child has access to quality education.
To the young girls and children who are the direct beneficiaries of this initiative, I want you to know that you are valued, and your dreams matter. Education is a powerful tool that can change lives and uplift communities. Take full advantage of this opportunity, work hard, and continue to aspire for greatness.”

Music Donates Towards Feeding, Education of Orphans, Abandoned Children in Nigeria