British Council, firm train young entrepreneurs on job creation

Octoville Development Company, an impact advisory firm, has partnered with the British Council and King’s Trust International to support 70 youth-led businesses with training and mentorship opportunities.

Oluwaseun Olorunmaye, chief operating officer (COO) and programme coordinator, spoke at the Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge (YSEC) Pitch and Graduation Programme, on Thursday in Abuja.

Olorunmaye said the organisation seeks to empower people to become sustainable entrepreneurs and create jobs through training, technology, and mentorship.

“This training is solely for entrepreneurs, and over the last seven weeks we’ve trained 70 entrepreneurs on business and soft skills,” he said.

“This is primarily understanding that the number of entrepreneurs in Nigeria already have the technical skills, but they are unable to scale their business or properly manage their businesses because of the lack of business and soft skills.

“The particular event that is ongoing right now is a pitching competition, where about eight people get to win a grant for their business or for their business idea.

“After this pitching competition, we also have a three-month mentorship programme, where we’ve paired these participants already with some mentors, and these mentors are basically going to ensure their business is sustainable.”

‘YSEC WILL EMPOWER YOUTHS TO CONTRIBUTE TO ECONOMIC GROWTH’

Speaking also at the event, Ayodele Olawande, minister of youth development, commended Octoville for the YSEC programme.

Olawande, represented by Kehinde Ajolaoni, special assistant to the minister on gender matters and inclusion, said YSEC would empower youths to create sustainable businesses and “generate employment opportunities and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic growth”.

“The YSEC programme with its focus on sustainable enterprise development and its commitment to gender equality and inclusion is a testament to the innovative spirit of our youth,” the minister said.

“We are particularly impressed by the 70 talented participants which include 60 percent females who have undergone intensive training and are now poised to showcase their innovative business ideas.”

On her part, Regina Bamaiyi, chief enterprise officer at the Small Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), said organisations like Octoville “help the government to carry out the mandate”.

“We cannot do it all, and we are happy to offer these training sessions, helping us to build capacities of small and medium enterprises and upcoming young entrepreneurs,” Bamaiyi said.

She also encouraged the entrepreneurs to continue on the path of success.

“Grow your ideas relentlessly, seek mentorship, and leverage every opportunity for support—whether financial, strategic, or collaborative,” she added.

At the event, 17 participants pitched their businesses, out of which eight people won the N200,000 grant.

The overall best pitch was won by Oluchukwu Ughagwu (Default Pharma), while John Tochukwu (J Wash Laundry), and Bashirat Balogun (Sirah’s Nigeria Limited) were the first and second runner-ups.

Others are Okechuwkwu Clinton (Tarva Agro Service), Oni Oluwajuwon (Jaytees initiative), Habiba Yusuf – (Hazara Liquid Wash), Joy Michael (Step up inclusive Academy) and Samson Asaolu (The Boys Band).