The Jerry Eze Foundation has awarded a total of ₦1 billion in grants to 240 small and micro business owners at a ceremony held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.
Each beneficiary received $3,000 to start, scale, or transform their businesses.
According to the Foundation, the initiative is part of a broader effort to promote entrepreneurship and drive economic impact.
To ensure transparency, KPMG was engaged to oversee the selection process.
Over 16,000 applicants registered.
9,668 met eligibility criteria.
240 entrepreneurs were selected nationwide.
The programme focused on three key sectors:
Agriculture and agribusiness.
Manufacturing.
Technology and digital services.
Delivering the keynote address, Oby Ezekwesili urged beneficiaries to think beyond small beginnings and focus on large-scale impact.
She emphasised that Africa’s challenges require deliberate and purposeful expansion, not just growth for its own sake.
Also speaking, Ibukun Awosika described the initiative as a bridge between potential and execution.
She encouraged recipients to embrace collaboration, noting that successful entrepreneurs build institutions, not just businesses, by leveraging shared knowledge and experience.
Founder Jerry Eze said the programme was inspired by his upbringing and his mother’s values of generosity.
He challenged beneficiaries to focus on value creation and community impact, expressing confidence that many would return with success stories in the coming year.
The event attracted prominent figures across sectors, including:
Benjamin Kalu
Olanipekun Olukoyede
Oliver Alawuba
Olugbenga Agboola
Obi Cubana
Also present were religious leaders such as Poju Oyemade and Emmanuel Iren, alongside entertainment personalities including Richard Mofe-Damijo, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Tonto Dikeh, and Timi Dakolo.
The initiative highlights a growing trend of private-sector-led philanthropy aimed at empowering entrepreneurs and tackling unemployment; especially by equipping small businesses with capital to grow and create jobs.
