The Next Titan Season-8 Begins

As the 18 contestants for the Next Titan Season 8 edition, an entrepreneurial reality TV show tagged “Uncaged” begin the race for the coveted price, the next 10 weeks promises to be interesting. Funke Olaode who was at the unveiling of the contestants in Lagos reports

It was a night of apprehension that Sunday evening of October 24, 2021 as 70 contestants selected from over 20,000 applicants from different parts of the country where auditioning held, were assembled at the Lagos Continental hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, to know their fates in their bid to make it into the Titan House and contest for the N15 million grand price.

While few of the contestants were selected from the Lagos State audition, the others were flown in by the organisers from different parts of the country to help them actualise their dreams as an entrepreneur.

Irrespective of the states they all had been selected from, the emphasis was on how far they have all come to get to the penultimate stage before getting into the house. And as one of the Judges of the show, Chris Parkes puts it; only hard work is expected from them at this stage and not luck.

For the days spent together in Lagos before the unveiling of those who would be going through to the house, the 18 contestants were hosted to a ‘boot-camp’, which historically became the largest boot-camp the show has ever had.

According to the executive producer of the Next Titan, Mide Akinlaja, the boot-camp “is to expose the contestants to all the tasks that they might likely face when they get on the show, so they can gain a better insight on what’s expected of them.”

Akinlaja adds: “We received over 20,000 entries. The season eight auditions held in six cities – Abuja, Kano, PH, Enugu, Ibadan, Lagos and also online – gave the contestants across Nigeria an opportunity to pitch their business ideas in different zones to our judges.

Akinlaja: “From these numbers, 70 vibrant young entrepreneurs were able to make it to the Titan boot-camp which we have been in the last three days. And this evening, Top 18 contestants with bright ideas would be unveiled, and these entrepreneurs shall live together to compete by carrying out weekly business tasks and challenges around the city of Lagos for 10 weeks on television, and with weekly evictions during the boardroom shows.

“Season eight promises to be more exciting, entertaining and impactful and the winner will walk away with N15 million cash as grand prize.”

He also added that the current edition was very special because “about 1000 best contestants who earlier auditioned for the show are already being shortlisted for NYIF funding of up to N3 million each courtesy Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.”

Akinlaja said the reality show’s platform was aimed at practically engineering entrepreneurship among Nigerian youth through identifying the best business minds and supporting their entrepreneurial acumen through logistical assistance, informal training, knowledge and other requisite services needed to propel them into successful personalities.

He said: “The show not only celebrates some of the nation’s best entrepreneurial ideas but also makes an attempt to provide a launch-pad to the most deserving of Nigeria’s budding entrepreneurs where people with ideas would dare to bid for their dreams and ideas.

“It is a way of encouraging young unemployed graduates to take their destinies in their hands by using their talents to build values.”

Akinlaja said the top 18 contestants, who were later unveiled, would need real street smarts qualities in order to make it through the challenges, as they are expected to prove their entrepreneurial flair through various business challenges on the 10-week show.

He added that the show would not just have effects of educating and involving Nigeria’s budding entrepreneurs who will be watching the show, but will also ignite entrepreneurial spirit in transforming lives with just an idea that can be scaled to greatness with a market and with Nigeria’s population.

On the value of the show to national development, Akinlaja said the Show, by scouting for young talented people who have entrepreneurial acumens, grooming them through rigorous tasks, boardroom process, mentorship, and eventually funding a winner’s idea leading to an opportunity to create jobs for themselves and others was indeed a big contributor to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

“Apart from the success stories of the previous winners of the show which have been phenomenal, the Next Titan being on national television has also positively impacted on the generality of other young people, who have shared their testimonies regarding the programme, causing a paradigm shift in their mind-sets to moving from jobs seekers to jobs creators.”

The Minister of Youth and Sport Development, Sunday Dare, said although it was the first time the ministry was partnering with the initiatives, “however, we are confident that it would be the beginning of an amazing partnership.”

The Minister who was ably represented by his Special Adviser on ICT and Corporate Relations, Kemi Areola equally noted that the idea behind the set-up of The Next Titans was one of the core ideas of what the ministry represented.

“Our focus in the ministry is to ensure that we not only empower the youth but also invest in them.

“The Federal ministry of Youth and Sport Development approved the National Youth Investment Funds (NYIF), last year, which gives young entrepreneurs, MSMEs funds for developing their businesses.

“And we are committed to ensuring that at least a thousand people that passed through the doors of The Next Titans would be empowered with this NYIF. And this is what touches the core because this fund is for business development, and that is would you can easily find in the Next Titan.

“Hence, we are grateful to the organisers of the Next Titans for putting together such a wonderful show, and for ensuring that it has lasted this long, and has continued to grow. And we can see that the entrepreneurs that come out of it are amazing at what they do.

“We will ensure to continue to partner with The Next Titan and also invest in the Nigerian youth.”

In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat said the ideas of the show aligned with the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of Lagos state.

According to him, the initiative has helped to discover more youth with true entrepreneurship spirit, talent and passion.

He said since the show began in 2013, it had become a vehicle for young Nigerians to stand up and showcase their entrepreneurial skills in a competitive environment and before a wide television audience.

“As partners in the advocacy for youth development and empowerment, I am delighted to know that past editions have not only played host to thousands of young aspirants and young entrepreneurs among various cities in the country but have as well mentored and discovered individuals who have launched their various businesses and created wealth for others.

“This brings us to the relevance of the theme of The Next Titans titled, ‘The Uncaged’. Our young men and women must know that the magic water of entrepreneurship is such that it entails you to be resilient, determined, passionate, and most importantly, confident in your dreams.”

He said the uncaged entrepreneur must be creative, dedicated, resilient and have the hunger to succeed.

Hamzat said the spirit of an entrepreneur was unyielding, and he or she must have the zeal to take actions and never to give up. He likewise said they must have a mission, a vision and a direction.

“His first instinct must be his focus to succeed. In other words, success is an early business endeavour. It requires doggedness, drive, flexibility, enthusiasm, courage, determination, perseverance and commitment,” he noted.

The highpoint of the event was the announcement of the 18 contestants who made it to the live show scheduled to last for 10 weeks.

The 18 contestants are Shittu Omobolaji, Felix Oguji, Teda Temitayo, Anita Onu, Sebastian Fibi, Victor Emayen, Olufemi Richard, Debora Adejumowo, Maria Esin, Edusu Taiwo, Owunka Johnson, Joy Badaki, Naomi Gbominira, Lovitat Saheed, Hyacinth Orji, Cynthia Chioma, Victor Winnie, and Dolapo Quadri.

The Season 8 of The Next Titan Nigeria is sponsored by Heritage Bank Plc in association with Msport, Sifax Group, Haven Homes, and supported by Terra Seasoning Cubes, AirPeace, Lifemate Furniture, RC Cola, Nikky Taurus, Cummins Generators, 21 Apparels, Arinka Collectibles among others, and with official partnership with Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.