The 5th Edition of Nigeria’s Youth Entrepreneurship Leadership Program, popularly known as the Nigeria 25 Under 25 Awards, is set to take place on Saturday, August 29, 2020.
Each year, SME100Africa recognizes and celebrates 25 outstanding Nigerian entrepreneurs under the age of 25 who are creating impact, driving innovation, and contributing to socio-economic development across the country.
Through this initiative, awardees gain access to finance, a 12-month incubation program, one-on-one leadership coaching, and connections to a diverse network of mentors, technical advisors, and potential investors—enabling them to scale their businesses and expand their impact.
Award Categories
The 25 Under 25 Awards celebrate founders and co-founders who started their businesses before the age of 25, across 25 key sectors, including:
- Agriculture
- Active Citizenship & Government Engagement
- Arts, Craft & Culture
- Beauty & Makeup
- Creative Writing & Content Creation
- E-commerce
- Education
- Energy & Sustainability
- Environment & Interior Décor
- Event Planning
- Fashion
- Finance & Fintech
- Food & Drinks
- Health & Skincare
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Manufacturing & Logistics
- Media & Communications
- Music
- Performing Arts
- Photography
- Professional Services
- Social Entrepreneurship
- Software & Design
- Sports
- Technology
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, nominees must meet the following requirements:
- The founder(s) must not be older than 27 years at the time of receiving the award.
- The company must have been in operation for at least 3 years.
- The founder must be a Nigerian citizen.
- The business must contribute to socio-economic development in Nigeria.
- The line of business must be ethical and compliant with Nigerian laws.
- The company must be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
So far, the awards have received thousands of nominations, with over 5,000 entries submitted this year alone.
A Message from the Founder
According to Charles Odii, Founder of SME100Africa and the Nigeria’s 25 Under 25 Awards:
“This year, we received over 5,000 nominations. Entrepreneurship is not an easy endeavor by any means. At SME100Africa, our commitment remains firm—to help young entrepreneurs reach their goals with the guidance, resources, and partnerships that only an informed, passionate ally can provide.”
Event Details
Date: Saturday, August 29th, 2020
Time: 5:00 PM
Venue: Virtual – Live broadcast on SME100Africa’s official social media platforms:
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
The evening will feature music and poetry performances, keynote presentations, award ceremonies, and exhibitions.
Previous keynote speakers have included:
- Aishah Ahmad (Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria)
- Segun Ogunsanya (CEO, Airtel Nigeria)
- Pastor Ituah Ighodalo (Senior Pastor, Trinity House)
- Omotola Jalade Ekeinde (Award-winning Actress & Philanthropist)
Connect With Us
For more information, follow @25Under25 on Instagram or contact:
📞 Chinonso: 0817 774 3665
📞 Rotimi: 0816 287 0959
📧 Email: info@sme100africa.org