Entrepreneurs, young professionals empowered to innovate with business grants

L-R: Anthony Kila, professor of political economics; Esther Taiwo of Damseth Enterprise, winner, $1,000 launch pad, and Abiola Kila Onalaja, convener, Inspire to Excel, during the recent maiden edition of the event in Lagos.

Nigerian entrepreneurs, business professionals were recently empowered to innovate with grants at the maiden edition of Inspire to Excel 2025.

Participants at the Inspire to Excel program themed, ‘Dream. Grow. Achieve,’ show entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas for the launch Pad Pitch competition.

Esther Taiwo of Damseth Enterprise, an entrepreneur who presented a sustainable solution for transforming waste nylons into stylish shoes won the $1,000 launch pad. Uzodinma Esther of Esterbare Shaving cream, emerged runner up and received $500 for her pitch on improving women’s shaving options.

“This event is more than just a platform—it’s a movement to mobilize greatness. Inspire to Excel is my way of giving back, creating opportunities for dreamers, and building a community where ideas flourish and purpose-driven innovation thrives,” Abiola Kila Onalaja, convener, Inspire to Excel, said.

She said further that the initiative was aimed at supporting young people with the needed exposure to succeed in business and other endeavours. “I think more people should be able to do this, don’t go alone to the top, take as many people as you can,” Onalaja said.

Olufunke Fajusigbe, founder, Generation Next, spoke on mentorship, entrepreneurship and leadership, and shared actionable insights and strategies for success.

Fajusigbe, who spoke on the prospect of the Nigerian youth, said that the youth need to be led, supported, and encouraged. “The world without the next phase; business without the next phase, is a dead world. And it’s a world that we must be deliberate about.”