How Biodun and Ibikunle Foundation Is Transforming the Face of African Entrepreneurship One Business at a Time

As part of its commitment to empower 10,000 entrepreneurs in 10 years with training, mentorship and assets needed to scale their enterprises, Biodun and Ibikunle Foundation has unveiled five beneficiaries for the 2023 cycle of its SEEDINVEST Acceleration Programme.

The beneficiaries, which emerged after an intensive application, selection, training and interview process, come from a range of sectors including manufacturing, food processing, creative arts and confectionery.

With grant prizes ranging from one million naira to two hundred thousand naira, the five beneficiaries are Adekunle Oluwatobi Roberts (founder, Man ‘N’ Queens), Aisha Haruna Gambi (founder, Sculpts and Sketches), Kokoma Giwa-Job (founder, Cocomilla Cakery), Barakat Adenike Adesina (founder, Abek Consultancy and Paints Industry), and Kofoworola Awoyera (founder, DharkagEmpire Ltd).

Since 2019, Biodun and Ibikunle Foundation has supported over 100 nano, micro, small and medium-sized businesses across Nigeria through its flagship SEEDINVEST Acceleration Programme, which assists entrepreneurs with training, mentorship and equipment they need to grow their businesses.

The 2023 cohort of the programme saw applications from all geopolitical zones in the country, from which twenty-five entrepreneurs were shortlisted for a eight-week training programme facilitated by a seasoned faculty.

Among the facilitators were Mrs. Atinuke Babatunde, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Aralepo, Mr. Tobiloba Oyewole, Mr. Segun Abiona, Mr. Chibueze Kings, Mr. Tunde Animashaun and Mr. Gbenga Totoyi.

Speaking at a breakfast meeting held with the finalists of the programme in Lagos, recently, the Advisory Board Chairman, Biodun and Ibikunle Foundation, Mr Adam Nuru, said, “Whether we like it or not, SMEs are increasingly becoming the backbone of Nigeria’s economy. With the right support in the form of training, mentoring and grants, these businesses will be able to transform Nigeria and even Africa’s economy. This is why we do what we do at the Foundation.”

Speaking also, the founder, Biodun and Ibikunle Foundation, Mr. Biodun Adegoke, said, “We receive applications from so many entrepreneurs annually who are doing amazing things in their industries. While we cannot support everyone, we remain committed to supporting as many businesses as possible so that these supported businesses can in turn contribute to the growth of Nigeria. We will continue to empower these entrepreneurs because we know they are key players in delivering the Nigeria we want. For more information on our work, please visit www.biodunandibikunle.org or check our Instagram handle @biodunandibikunle.”

Biodun and Ibikunle Foundation is a non-profit organisation operating out of Lagos,

Nigeria.

In over four years of operation, we have supported more than 150 businesses through our SEEDINVEST Acceleration Programme and Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Incubation Programme, donated school supplies to more than 100 school children via

our School Kit Programme, given scholarships to 4 pupils and provided school fees support to 11 undergraduates across Nigeria.

We have also provided health care assistance to over 100 people in Lagos. We are driven by a philosophy to change the world one business at a time, one child at a time, and one family at a time. Our vision is to engage the entrepreneurial space in Africa and convert potential SMEs into emerging corporates for global influence.