Phoenix Project, a creative learning platform, has awarded five million naira in grants to entrepreneurs in the creative industry at an event held on January 26, 2023, in Lagos. This was part of its goal to reduce unemployment in the country.
Access Bank launched the Phoenix Project initiative in April 2022 to leverage the abundance of creative resources available to empower youths in the creative industry.
“We have recorded tremendous successes since we launched in April 2022 and today’s event is a testament that Nigeria is full of innovative young minds, Colette Otusheso, CEO of Accelerate, said.
“Our course facilitators, our partners at the Pan-Atlantic University, School of Media and Communication, the Nest Innovation Hub and our internship partners have helped us impact young minds with the requisite knowledge they need to stand out in the Nigerian creative ecosystem. The ideas of the five entrepreneurs who were awarded grants of a million naira each have proven to be viable, authentic, and scalable, and that is why the judges deemed them fit for the grant,” Otusheso further said.
Notably, winners of The Phoenix Project Fund, namely Lucia Ikediashi, creative director of Arty Culture; Adekunle Blue, co-founder and head of development at Story Story Studios; Esther Omotayo-Omomule, CEO of OGE-ARA brand; Oyeyiola-Ourias Oyinkansola Adesewa, CEO of Kiolart Studio; and Olawale Williams, creative director of Itan Studios, were selected from a group of 12 finalists who pitched their ideas to a panel of judges
In addition to the financial support, the winners will also receive business support from Access Bank’s emerging business department, as well as mentorship and access to an alumni network of industry experts who will support their business journey.
Read also: Poor funding, talent neglect limit Nigeria’s creative industry
Continuing, Colette said, “The project plans to train more learners and incubate more ideas in 2023, offer more internship opportunities, and add eight new courses to the existing twelve being offered on The Phoenix Project Online Learning Educational Platform. These courses are accessible to all creative minds.”
Also at the event, Chioma Ogwo, head, Non-Financial Services, Emerging Businesses at Access Bank PLC, noted that the Phoenix Project was an initiative that can grow the Nigerian creative industry.
“It’s inspiring to see that despite the trend of many young people leaving the country, there are still those who are dedicated to driving Nigeria’s progress in the creative industry,’ she said. “At Access Bank, we are thrilled to be a part of this movement by supporting small and medium-sized businesses. We provide access to finance, training, as well as a network of like-minded entrepreneurs for support,” Ogwo said.
The Phoenix Project is aimed at expanding the creative potential of Nigeria’s youthful population. It covers 12 knowledge areas such as Social Media for Business, Entertainment Law, Advertising Your brand, Graphic Design, Becoming an Influencer, Introduction to Film, Scriptwriting, the Business of Vlogging, Introduction to Songwriting, Introduction to Film Production, the Business of Entertainment, and the Business of Fashion.
