Tag: Mary Ojulari Foundation

Mary Ojulari Foundation, a not-for-profit committed to development and empowerment, has awarded N50,000,000 to eight young entrepreneurs who participated in the second Vanguard Fellowship Cohort and completed its two-week Ignite Bootcamp in Lagos. 

The grant was announced by Mary Ojulari, founder and president at Vanguard Fellowship Ignite Bootcamp Awards & Networking Cocktail Night at J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Lagos.

The winners are SafayaIkechuckwu, Oluwakemi Olaniyan, Adaeze Akpagbula, Francis Obanijesu, Olatunde Omotayo Olufunke, Victoria Ogwanighie, Ubok Ameh, and Adebayo Olajumoke. Each of them will receive N6, 250,000.

Ojulari reaffirmed the organisation’s mission to empower young Nigerians with tools, networks, and capital to build their businesses:

“Our work is about unlocking potential because potential is Nigeria’s greatest asset. These entrepreneurs are solving real community problems, creating jobs, and refusing to be limited by circumstance.

She explained that the Ignite Bootcamp was delivered in partnership with Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria and a network of leaders in finance, manufacturing, media, healthcare, government, and development agencies. It exposes fellows to practical case studies, strategic mentorship, and real-world insight.

She added that through this model, the foundation ensures that fellows continue to receive guidance, access to markets, and opportunities after the boot camp ends.

She said 50 promising entrepreneurs representing Agro-Processing, Fashion, Manufacturing, Technology, Health, and the Creative industries participated in the edition of the cohort.

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She further revealed that the participants were admitted into the second cohort following a rigorous selection process that prioritised innovation, community impact, and long-term sustainability and underwent hands-on training delivered by industry leaders, seasoned operators, and policy experts.

Ojulari expresses the Foundation’s gratitude to its partners, mentors, and supporters who have generously shared their expertise and resources to shape the next generation of Nigerian business leaders.

In her keynote speech at the event, Mrs Yewande Zaccheaus, the Chairman and Founder of Eventful Nigeria Limited, affirmed that for entrepreneurship to thrive in Nigeria, there is a need to invest in skills and knowledge, access to capital, digital literacy, supporting policies, mentorship ecosystems, and platforms like the Mary Ojulari Foundation.

“Let us design a future where young people are not just job seekers, but job creators. To the foundation, I say your work is powerful, your impact is undeniable, even just two years on, and your vision is rewriting destinies. To the sponsors, you’re investing in the future leaders of Nigeria, please do not stop”, she said.

It is worth recalling that in the inaugural edition in 2025, the Foundation admitted 50 entrepreneurs into the Vanguard Fellowship Bootcamp, from which 25 were selected and supported with a total of $125,000 in catalytic grants. Together with today’s ₦50,000,000 commitment to the new cohort, the Foundation continues to deepen its investment in grassroots enterprise development across Lagos and beyond.

Mary Ojulari Foundation has called for applications for Vanguard Fellowship Cohort 2, its entrepreneurship initiative to identify, equip, and elevate visionary innovators.

Following a successful inaugural cohort that supported 25 entrepreneurs with $125,000 in business growth funding, the foundation is inviting changemakers to join the community — a platform where ideas meet opportunity, mentorship, and measurable impact.

The second cohort continues the foundation’s mission to nurture purpose-driven entrepreneurs, who are building sustainable solutions to community and economic challenges. Through capacity building, business mentorship, and catalytic funding, it empowers participants to turn vision into viable enterprise.

Applications opened from September 24, and will run till October 26, with shortlisting on October 30 and interviews for November 1 and 2

Shortlisted applicants will participate in Ignite Bootcamp, a two-week immersive learning experience from 10–21 November 10, followed by Pitch Day on November 20.

During the Pitch Day, fellows will present their business ideas to a panel of investors and industry leaders for a chance to receive seed funding and mentorship.

Mrs Ojulari, founder, said the fellowship would bridge the gap between innovation and opportunity.

“There are so many ideas  which fade, not because they lack potential, but because they lack access to capital, mentorship, and the right mindset,” she said.

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“The Vanguard Fellowship exists to nurture those ideas and the exceptional individuals behind them. We’re building a community of bold thinkers who lead with purpose, create sustainable value, and inspire others to rise.”

She added that empowerment, at its core, must create a ripple effect — transforming individuals while strengthening the communities they serve.

“Our goal is to support founders who are intentional, disciplined, and ready to build solutions that make lives better. The impact must circulate — when one is lifted, others should rise too.”

Applications are open to aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs *across Nigeria* who are developing innovative, sustainable solutions to real challenges in their communities.

Each applicant may submit either a five-minute video or a 750-word written piece detailing their story, business idea, and vision for impact.

Submissions should be sent to vanguardfellowship@maryojularifoundation.org. Further details, including the application toolkit and updates, are available on the Foundation’s official social media pages.