The Mary Ojulari Foundation has awarded N50 million in grants to eight emerging entrepreneurs under the second cohort of its Vanguard Fellowship, expanding its support for grassroots enterprise development in Nigeria. The announcement was made at the Vanguard Fellowship Ignite Bootcamp Awards & Networking Cocktail Night held on November 21 at the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History in Onikan, Lagos.
The beneficiaries — Safaya Ikechukwu, Oluwakemi Olaniyan, Adaeze Ruth Akpagbula, Francis Obanijesu, Olatunde Omotayo Olufunke, Victoria Ogwanighie, Ubok Ameh and Adebayo Aishat Olajumoke — will each receive N6.25 million to scale their ventures across sectors including agro-processing, fashion, manufacturing, technology, health and the creative industries
Mary Ojulari, founder and president of the Foundation, said the fellowships are designed to equip young Nigerians with the tools, networks and capital needed to build resilient and scalable businesses.“Our work is about unlocking potential because potential is Nigeria’s greatest asset,” she said. “These entrepreneurs are solving real community problems, creating jobs, and refusing to be limited by circumstance. The Vanguard Fellowship exists to honour that courage while equipping them with the skills and support that can multiply their impact.”The grant recipients recently completed a two-week Ignite Bootcamp run in partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and a network of industry leaders spanning finance, manufacturing, media, healthcare, government and development agencies. The bootcamp provided case-based learning, strategic mentorship and exposure to real-world business challenges
Ojulari said the model ensures fellows continue to receive post-bootcamp support, including market access, mentorship and long-term opportunities. Fifty entrepreneurs were admitted into this year’s cohort after a rigorous selection process focused on innovation, community impact and sustainability.She also acknowledged the Foundation’s partners and mentors “who have generously shared their expertise and resources to shape the next generation of Nigerian business leaders.”
Delivering the keynote address, Yewande Zaccheaus, chairman and founder of Eventful Nigeria Limited, emphasised the need for stronger investment in skills, capital, digital literacy, policy support and mentorship ecosystems to deepen Nigeria’s entrepreneurial capacity.“Let us design a future where young people are not just job seekers, but job creators,” she said. “Your work is powerful, your impact is undeniable, and your vision is rewriting destinies.”The Foundation launched the Vanguard Fellowship in 2025 with 50 participants, from which 25 received a combined $125,000 in catalytic grants. With the latest N50 million support for Cohort 2, the Foundation said it is strengthening its long-term commitment to entrepreneurship and community-focused development across Lagos and beyond.
