Young Founders Benefit from ₦200m OmoeKOH Grants at Lagos Summit

Young Founders Benefit from ₦200m OmoeKOH Grants at Lagos Summit
OmoeKOH Distributes Cash, Gadgets, CAC Registration to Boost MSMEs
Out of more than 3,000 registered participants, 25 entrepreneurs were shortlisted to pitch their business ideas, with three emerging as top beneficiaries

The growth of small and medium-scale enterprises in Lagos received a significant boost as OmoeKOH, a Lagos-based community of young builders, distributed ₦200 million in grants, business support packages and work tools to emerging entrepreneurs and innovators during its maiden Wealth and Impact Summit.

Contents

EDITOR’S PICK
FURTHER READING

Eko Hot Blog reports that the event, held at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, National Theatre, Iganmu, attracted more than 5,000 youths, traders, technology enthusiasts and business owners from across the state.

EDITOR’S PICK

Convened by Imran Oladimeji Hamzat, OmoeKOH was launched barely three weeks ago as a platform dedicated to identifying, celebrating and empowering young Nigerians who have quietly built businesses, careers and innovative ideas from their communities.

Representing the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe, praised the initiative for complementing the state government’s efforts at promoting entrepreneurship and job creation.

“This summit is designed to provide a platform where ideas meet opportunity, mentorship and capital. It aligns with our administration’s determination to create an enabling environment where enterprises can thrive,” Ajigbotafe said.

Participants at the summit were also exposed to practical business sessions facilitated by industry experts, including Ayoolanrewaju Kuyebi, Chief Executive Officer of GMH Luxury; Evelyn Edumoh, General Manager of Arkland Properties; Tolulope Abiodun, Head of Business at Pesa Business; Prof. Ojuromi Oladele Teslim, Acting Dean of the Lagos State University School of Agriculture; and Rotimi Williams, Principal at Asher Blackhorn.

Out of more than 3,000 registered participants, 25 entrepreneurs were shortlisted to pitch their business ideas, with three emerging as top beneficiaries.

David Ogunbanjo of Blanet Africa received a ₦5 million grant, Adeleke-Lawal Ummiulkhayr of Ummis Nature secured ₦4 million, while Favour Adeleke of Qiqi Farms was awarded ₦3 million. Other selected participants received ₦500,000 each to support their businesses.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Beyond financial grants, OmoeKOH distributed laptops to graphic designers and software developers, mobile phones to content creators, and facilitated free Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) registrations for more than 1,000 businesses.

Partners including Jobberman, Providus Bank and the Lagos State Health Management Authority also provided career advisory services, banking solutions and health insurance support to participants.

Speaking at the event, Convener of OmoeKOH, Imran Oladimeji Hamzat, said the initiative was created to bridge the gap between talented young Nigerians and opportunities that can help them scale their ideas.

“We understand that many young people struggle to find platforms where their ideas can be heard and recognised. OmoeKOH was created to support the younger generation, the creatives, employers and employees who have been working tirelessly by empowering them financially or with tools that can strengthen their businesses,” he said.

Deputy Director-General of OmoeKOH, Henry Babatunde Ige, described the initiative as a platform aimed at encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship and technology adoption, adding that the convener has consistently shown interest in nurturing future business leaders.

To ensure transparency and accountability, OmoeKOH said it has compiled the details of all beneficiaries and will monitor the utilisation of grants and support packages.

The summit comes as the Lagos State Government continues efforts to strengthen the MSME sector through initiatives such as the ₦10 billion fund being disbursed by the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) in partnership with 19 accelerator organisations.