Caladium Consulting introduces SME Fellowship to boost Lagos’ Business Ecosystem

…graduates 40 entrepreneurs

Caladium Consulting has completed its inaugural Caladium Lagos SME Fellowship Program. This innovative initiative marks a significant milestone, building on seven years of success with the Caladium Lagos SME Bootcamp.

The firm, founded in 2010, is a strategy and financial advisory firm dedicated to empowering SMEs across Africa. The Caladium SME Fellowship is designed to transform business owners from technical experts into proficient business managers equipped with the skills necessary for sustainable growth.

“The Caladium SME Fellowship Programme is a game-changer,” said Ayo Bankole Akintujoye, Founder and CEO of Caladium Consulting. “It’s a long-term commitment to nurturing entrepreneurs through a mini MBA experience, along with expert mentorship, networking, personalized coaching, and community support.”

Launched in partnership with Junior Chambers International (JCI), Lagos Continental Chapter, the fellowship aims to provide young entrepreneurs with essential tools for navigating today’s competitive market. The program ran from July 8th to July 26th, 2024, attracting over 2,500 applicants.

Oluwaseun “Slim” Durojaiye, Co-founder of the Fellowship Program, revealed to press that 83 candidates were shortlisted based on industry type, impact, traction, and business longevity. From these, 45 fellows were selected from seven Nigerian states—Lagos, Kano, Oyo, Ogun, Ekiti, Kaduna, and Sokoto—as well as Harare, Zimbabwe.

The program commenced with a grand opening ceremony featuring a panel session with Oyindamola Egbeyemi, Director of Programs and Coordination at the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, and Temitope Runsewe, Managing Director of Dutum Company. Their insights into developing a growth mindset and strategies for success laid a strong foundation for the participants.

Over the three weeks, fellows engaged in modules covering critical business areas such as sales, marketing, financial management, record keeping, funding preparation, management techniques, technology utilisation, risk management, and strategic planning. Esteemed mentors included Ayo Bankole Akintujoye, Founder & CEO of Caladium Consulting; Lola Esan, Global HR Practitioner; Chrissie Kayode, Sustainable Finance Professional; and several other industry leaders.

The program used a case-based approach, where participants studied and developed projects that provided clarity on their business strategies. The intensive sessions fostered significant growth through discussions, workshops, and collaborative projects.

The fellowship concluded with a graduation ceremony on July 26th, 2024, where 45 fellows were honoured. Special guests included Olagoke Balogun, CEO of So Fresh NG, and Lola Esan, Global HR Practitioner and People Consulting Leader at EY. Their speeches highlighted the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in entrepreneurship, offering practical advice and inspiration to the graduates.

Known for its innovative approach, Caladium has supported over 130 businesses in sectors like fintech and agritech. The Caladium Lagos SME Bootcamp (CLSME), established in 2018, has empowered over 7,000 SMEs in Nigeria and facilitated the creation of more than 22,000 jobs.