In a bid to support grassroots entrepreneurship and inspire growth, Sooyah Bistro, Nigeria’s fastest-growing premium food brand, has awarded over N500,000 to deserving winners of the “Sooyah Dreams” campaign.
The winners, who expressed delight, were celebrated and presented with cheques at a special ceremony held at the Sooyah Bistro outlet in Oniru, Lagos.
The human-centered campaign, which ran from September 1–15, 2025, invited Nigerians to submit a 60–120 second video sharing their dreams and aspirations.
The initiative was directly inspired by Sooyah Bistro’s founder, Olamidun Ogundoyin, who began her journey with just ₦20,000 and a single grill, a narrative of grit and growth.
During the prize presentation ceremony, Victoria Orleans was crowned the Grand Winner, receiving a cash prize of ₦250,000 towards her dream project. Nwokolo Blessing secured the Second-Place prize of ₦150,000. Gifts and other consolation prizes worth N100,000 were also given to other participants.
Speaking at the presentation, Olamidun Ogundoyin, Founder of Sooyah Bistro, expressed her pride in the initiative and the quality of the submissions, adding that Sooyah Bistro would continue to fund entrepreneurships with millions of naira annually.
She urged entrepreneurs to be determined, stating that the contest reflected Sooyah Bistro’s commitment to impacting society and believing in collective success.
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“When I started Sooyah Bistro with barely enough money for a full setup, the only capital I truly had was my belief in the dream and the grit to push it forward. For us, the ‘Sooyah Dreams’ initiative is not just about the money; it’s a permission to dream bigger, louder, and without fear. It is an investment in the same spirit of hustle that built this company, knowing that financial pressure can crush a brilliant concept before it even gets off the ground.
“To Victoria and Blessing, your stories were powerful, your passion was undeniable, and we are honoured to be the first investors in your incredible journey. The size of your start-up capital does not matter; what matters is the size of your dream.”
The grand winner, Victoria Orleans, who is a poultry farmer and runs a charity academy for special needs and underprivileged children who have little or no access to education, said, “Winning the ‘Sooyah Dreams’ campaign is a life-changer. My dream felt so big, and the start-up cost felt even bigger, but this ₦250,000 has immediately made it manageable.
“Sooyah Bistro’s story of starting small and growing big has always inspired me. Now, with this support, I can finally take the leap and build my own successful venture. This isn’t just cash; it’s a massive vote of confidence.”
Also, the first runner-up, Nwokolo Blessing, who is a private chef seeking to redefine the culinary space, said, “I am incredibly grateful to Sooyah Bistro. When you’re hustling, sometimes all you need is that one push to get you over the line, and this ₦150,000 is exactly that for me. The ‘Sooyah Dreams’ campaign proves that big brands can genuinely care about the people on the ground trying to build their future. This is the motivation I needed to apply more grit and turn my vision into a reality.”
The event concluded with a celebratory toast to the winners and a commitment from the brand to continue investing in initiatives that blend commerce with meaningful community impact.
