Honouring Young Trailblazers
Discover the 2017 winners — exceptional entrepreneurs who turned ideas into thriving ventures and set the pace for youth innovation in Nigeria.
ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP & GOVERNMENT ENGAGEMENT
MARYAM LAUSHI - NOT TOO YOUNG TO RUN
Maryam Laushi is a communications specialist who has over the years championed gender equality. She began her professional life at Leadership Newspapers Group immediately after being on the campaign trail in Kaduna State for the 2015 elections. She is a pioneer member of the ‘Not Too Young To Run’ campaign which has gone global and had recent victories in Nigeria. She volunteers for different causes and has over the years championed the plight of Nigerian women through social media and other avenues. She currently works at an international organization. Maryam believes in a future where Nigeria becomes greater and that young men and women will play critical roles in building a bright future for the country. She has degrees in Advertising, Marketing and Media.
AGRICULTURE
CHIBUZO ALOZIEUWA - ACE PALACE FARMS
ACE Palace Farms and Agro-Allied Products duly registered in 2016 practically started in 2014 in Plateau State to produce, process and sell mature poultry birds at affordable prices. They only use the best poultry breeds that allow us to provide our customers with delicious, natural and tender chicken. Although small in nature, they strive to provide customers with a high quality product, along with an unequalled commitment to service. They supply to the open markets, roasted meat outlets and families/individuals but have in plan to supply eateries, hotel chains, supermarkets, and retail outlets with frozen whole chicken and chicken parts like chicken laps, chicken fillets, gizzards and other intestines, minced, oven-smoked chicken etc via the purchase of our modern processing and cold room equipment.
ARTS, CRAFT & CULTURE
JEKEIN LATO-UNAH
Jekein Lato-Unah is a Nigerian multidisciplinary artist whose vibrant paintings celebrate women, and frown upon society’s maltreatment of women. Her primary interest is the monstrosity of social constructs in our society. By breaking down her pieces into patterns and fragments of both color and monochrome, Jekein aims to tackle and break chains of patriarchy and entitlement that dominate the Nigerian state. Jekein trains female artists aged between 6 and 21, thereby developing a new age of female Nigerian artists.
BEAUTY & MAKEUP
GAROS BOT- BOT’Z PRETTY LOOKS
Bot’z pretty looks is a fashion based company situated in Jos Plateau State, Nigeria. It began operations in 2014. The company provides a wide range of beauty services including bridal makeovers, makeup training for students (we have trained over fifteen students), traditional hamman (body wash mostly common among northerners especially brides to be), Henna application, sales of makeup products which runs alongside a boutique. They produce scented candles in different fragrances and retail to their clients who seek to beautify their homes or wish to gift it to a loved one.
CREATIVE WRITING AND CONTENT CREATION
GEORGETTE MONNOU
Georgette is a writer driven solely by passion. She started scribbling pen to paper as a grade schooler, starting with short stories and graduating to plays by the age of 14. Through her teens she experimented with poetry and by the time she was at University, she was encouraged to share her poems – simple, honest and uncontrived. However as her passion and verve for her country grew within her, she decided to set up a blog at 19 – TheUnspokenWords93 where she could create a platform for the youth of Nigeria to engage in meaningful discussions on how to be an agent of change. Before long TheUnspokenWords93 grew into a multifaceted blog that was filled with a host of interviews of fellow creatives such as Bemyoda and DJ Cuppy, album reviews and a wide range of lifestyle articles. Now, TheUnspokenWords93 has metamorphosed into a website called #RealTalkwithGeorgie where each visitor can enjoy varied content in the form of poetry or prose. Georgette’s articles focus on challenging the invisible glass ceiling that society places on both men and women with particular focus on self-worth and developing meaningful relationships. Her passion for writing thought provoking articles has given her the opportunity to write for Bella Naija, Thought Catalog and other online platforms. Check out her work at: www.realtalkwithgeorgie.com
E-COMMERCE
ABIOLA CHRIS-AMUSAN- RINGSNG
Rings Nigeria is one of the leading ONLINE retailers of wedding rings in Nigeria. Her aim is to help couples make an educated purchase of their dream wedding rings with a seamless online shopping experience. Over two (2) years ago, she started out as a full-scale bridal accessory retailer and later pivoted into strictly wedding rings in August 2016. She is based in the city of Lagos, has agents across four (4) other major states in Nigeria, and has delivered happiness in tiny little boxes to clients all around the world.
EDUCATION
OMOZINO EGUH- YUDIMY
Omozino Eguh is passionately committed to redefining education in Africa through career guidance and educational psychology; a mission she discovered after realizing she had picked the wrong university course to study: like many children and teens still grappling with the concept of self-awareness, identity and little knowledge of viable career options that match their talents. This stirred her curiosity to set up “Yudimy” a career guidance solution adapted for the African context but globally relevant. Yudimy works with children and teenagers to discover their talents and match same to viable career options and courses to study. Each child is taken through a process of career assessment, exploration, planning and counselling to discover their career best-fit and make smart decisions in a fast changing world. Yudimy impacts the lives of hundreds of students collaborating with parents and learning institutions.
ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY
JENNIFER UCHENDU- SUSTY VIBES
Jennifer Uchendu has developed herself as a sustainability analyst passionate about improving the lives of African youth and women via innovative features and project. She is the founder of SustyVibes, an organisation driving the cause for greener environment in Africa. SustyVibes is just a cool way of saying “Sustainability Vibes”. We are a Nigerian enterprise positioned to deliver trends and engagements on sustainability and development in Africa.
ENVIRONMENT, HOUSING & INTERIOR DÉCOR
BUOGO OBI- WOODDESIGNES
Buogo Obi, the 25 year old managing director of Wooddesignes, a furniture manufacturing enterprise situated in state, Nigeria. Wood Designs is a Lagos based furniture company that is dominating the digital space with their platform – www.wooddesignes.com Wooddesignes.com is the online platform that enables customers across Nigeria to shop over 170 different furniture products in over 20 categories ranging from sofas, dining sets, entertainment consoles, shelves, office desks and every other furniture item directly from your phone or computer. Customers can also get creative with the custom design feature where they can upload their original designs and have them made at the Wooddesignes factory.
EVENT PLANNING
CHINYERE UZUH- QWINT PERFECT
Qwint Perfect Company Limited is a boutique event planning and management company incorporated in December 2016 to deliver premier event management services in Nigeria. They aim to become the foremost event management company in Africa and a significant leading player in the global sphere of event planning. To this end, they pride ourselves with not only having the relevant knowledge and expertise but also the highest degree of passion, dedication, creativity and excellent working relationships with reputable service providers to ensure that each client has a unique Qwint Perfect experience from project briefing to project execution.
FASHION
DESIREE IYAMA
Desiree Iyama is a fashion entrepreneur, she is the founder, designer and creative director of Desiree Iyama, a contemporary womenswear brand. After attaining a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at Covenant University, She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Fashion. Designing for her runs in her blood, as both are Mother and Grandmother are designers. She has been designing from a tender age. WDV was established in 2010 by sisters Wilma, Desiree, and Victoria, which later on changed to Desiree Iyama as she was the only one with the passion for fashion. She officially started her business in 2012 (a fashion blog where she also sold her diy outfits) but had a re-launch in 2016 (where she focused majorly on fashion design). While in the university, she designed clothes for friends and received the overall best designer award at Redefinition Fashion Week, and Best Designer of the Class of 2017 set.
FINANCE & FINTECH
JOSHUA CHIBUEZE- PIGGYBANKNG
Joshua Chibueze is a co-founder at piggybank.ng, a Fintech service that helps millennials curb their spending habits while improving their savings culture by automating deposits periodically towards a specific savings target. With over 5 years’ experience in business development, digital marketing and customer experience, Joshua manages business development and marketing at piggybank.ng. In his free time, he loves to play football and video games. Previously, he co-founded pushcv.com, one of the largest job platforms in Nigeria. He studied Computer science from Covenant University and is passionate about helping millennials achieve financial freedom.
FOOD & DRINKS
ALIYU ABUBAKAR- QUICKSHAKE
Aliyu Abubakar is the C.E.O and Managing Director of Quickshake Ltd. Aliyu holds a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from The University of Reading, UK and a Masters in Management and International Business from Birmingham City University, UK. Aliyu is the Managing Director and Founder of Quickshake Limited, a food and beverages company with 3 operational outlets in the F.C.T, with the vision to grow it as a franchise across the African continent. He is also the founder of Quicktech Global Solutions, an innovative IT firm previously partnered with ETISALAT Nigeria, Quicktech focuses on the development of educational and health technology. Aliyu at the age of 23 attended the 2014 Africa Taiwan Economic Forum as one of four delegates to represent Nigeria in Taiwan. He is also engaged in voluntary activities for community development, notably a charity focused on combatting drug abuse in young people called Parents Against Drug Abuse Initiative in Nigeria and also a founding board member of the Nigeria-Taiwan Business Association (NTBA). Aliyu is currently part of the Abuja Global Shapers Community, an initiative of The World Economic Forum; he manages the Entrepreneurship and Employability sector.
HEALTH & SKINCARE
PRECIOUS OBIAKO- SPOTLIGHT SKINCARE
Spotlight Skincare is an online retail company which specializes in making and rendering customized skin care products and services, including consultation, to suit individual needs and skin types. Our aim is to make every client look and feel beautiful outside as much as they are on the inside.
HOSPITALITY & TOURISM
SIKEMI IFEDERU- TAMBOLLO
Sikemi Ifederu is the Founder and CEO of TAMBOLLO. TAMBOLLO was founded with the aim of inspiring Young Africans to travel more, leave their comfort zone and immerse themselves in new cultures. It has grown from a travel blog to a travel company that creates authentic and life changing experiences through personalised private, group trips and retreats in Nigeria and across Africa. TAMBOLLO is committed to making a positive impact through travel by giving back and supporting local communities. This philanthropic aspect has made their trips very unique. Sikemi’s ultimate goal is to expose and encourage people to appreciate the various cultures and destinations in Africa rather than limiting yourself to the familiar. She is at the forefront of creating a community of people that Travel with a Purpose.
MANUFACTURING & LOGISTICS
NATALIE OBI - ETHEREAL OLORES CO
Natalie Obi is the founder/chandler of Ethereal Olores Co., a home fragrance company which produces best high quality, nontoxic, natural and clean burning luxury scented candles, Reed Diffusers, Incense Sticks, Scent sacks (natural sea salt granules), Wax melts, Fragrance oils, Personalized curated gift boxes and Oil burners. She’s a graduate of Delta state University where she majored in computer Science. She started her business Ethereal Olores Co. officially in April 2017, and the business has grown immensely and is currently expanding with the addition of new home fragrance products. The company is aimed at providing their customers with the best quality, natural and nontoxic home fragrance products that are not harmful to consumers. Proceeds from sales will be occasionally donated to beneficiaries of the Lagos food bank Initiative programme.
MEDIA & COMMUNICATION
GIDADO SHUAIB- YOUTHS’ DIGEST
Gidado Shuaib a serving corps member is the editor of Youths Digest, He is a graduate of Mass communication and has served as an intern in Daily Trust, Premium Times and BBC london. He has completed a Masters Degree from the University of Westminster in Media, Campaigning and Social Change.
MUSIC
TUKE MORGAN
Adetuke Morgan is a Vivacious Nigerian Lady with a keen interest in the Arts. With a BSc in Economics from the Prestigious University of Nottingham, UK, she is paving a name for herself in the Creative World by expressing her talents through various outlets. She is a Saxophonist, Lifestyle Blogger, Award Winning Food Photographer, Content Creator, Aspiring Actor, Natural Hair Enthusiast, Afro Rocker, Food & Theatre Lover with a Bad Case of Wanderlust especially for African Countries. She wants her life to inspire people and show them that it is possible to live your dreams, no matter how unconventional they may seem.
PERFORMING ARTS
EBIYE VICTOR IMEOBONG
Ebiye Victor Imeobong is a 23 year old graduate of Electrical Electronics Engineering from Covenant University Nigeria. He is an online comedian and also a stand-up act. He is popularly known as “ComedianEbiye” on Instagram and was brought to limelight with his skit about popular blogger Linda Ikeji that went viral
PHOTOGRAPHY
ROTIMI OKUNGBAYE
Rotimi Okungbaye; a photographer, digital media strategist, baby writer and a humorous person. He started photography fresh out of University in 2015, studied Biochemistry at Covenant University. He work as a Media Associate at Andela, where he is involved in content creation and online presence management. He has been involved in photography projects focusing on different aspect of photography but loves to refer to himself as an Event Photographer.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
STEPHANIE EZE- MINTVILLE
Stephanie is the CEO of Mintville – A boutique cleaning company, which she founded after finding a gap in the market. Over the course of 3 years, she has built a prestigious client portfolio which includes homes, offices, bars and lounges across Lagos. Stephanie has trained and created jobs for over 30 Cleaning Specialists with utmost integrity, who love what they do.
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
ZAYYAD NASIDI- ZNM FOUNDATION
A graduate of Economics and Criminology from the University of Manchester, Zayyad went on to pursue a Masters degree in the University of Coventry with the knowledge and experience from both degrees, he went on and started ZNM ASSET a food processing/ real estate company. He founded ZNM Foundation, an NGO identifying the needs and gaps within communities and working towards a workable solution. ZNM FOUNDATION aims to effect and inspire positive changes within less privileged communities, focusing on 3 areas: EDUCATION, WATER SUPPLY AND HEALTH.
SOFTWARE & DESIGN
OMIMI OKERE- QONTENT
Omimi Okere is a 16 year old graphic designer. Qontent.co is a social media platform solely for creative work. It’s a platform where all creatives can host their portfolios for free without getting drowned out. The aim in the near future is to start paying the top content providers. He conceptualised and begun the journey of creating Qontent mid-2016 when he was 15. The main reason for the concept was, he was starting to produce more designs and I didn’t have anywhere to display them online other than my social media accounts, but of course, his social media accounts had other things on them as well and he felt my work would be drowned out and go unnoticed. The other option was to set up a portfolio site, which he saw a lot of other people doing. The problem was with setting up a whole website just for his portfolio was that, he felt it won’t get enough attention, so, he begun working on a social media platform solely for creative work that was free to use.
SPORTS
GEORGIA OBOH
Only 16 years old, the impressive Georgia Oboh has proved that success can come at any age – especially if you work hard enough for it. Oboh, who started playing golf when she was 6 years old, is already one of the most highly rated female golfers out of Africa – and she shows no signs of slowing down. Two years ago, Oboh won the US Kids Golf Teen World Championship; She was placed 13th out of 105 players in the Women’s Amateur Championship in Georgia last June; and she emerged as the third best player in the European Junior Open Championship in Spain.
TECHNOLOGY
ADEOLA SHASANYA - AFRO-TECH GIRLS
The African Girls in Science and Technology Initiative, popularly known as “Afro-Tech Girls”, is a private non-profit initiative for the advancement of young African women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. We aim to break down barriers facing women in Africa in these fields including gender stereotypes, social anxiety and a lack of regional female role models. Our mission is to encourage, educate and empower African girls of secondary and university levels interested in the STEM fields through mentorship, teamwork, creativity and innovation. We envision a world where there is a gradual but consistent reduction in the gender gap in the STEM industries and there are increased numbers of women actively involved and attaining top positions in these industries, whilst being recognized for their achievements.