In order to tame the of employment and bolster the capacity of Nigerian university graduates to become net employers of labour, the Entrepreneurship Organisation is holding the Grand Final of 2018 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday, April 3, 2018.

A premier global competition for undergraduates and graduate students who own and operate businesses, GSEA sees budding entrepreneurs compete against their peers around the world for the chance to win capital from sponsor organisations.

Mr. Ayodele Aderinwale, the Chair, GSEA of the Lagos Chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Nigeria, disclosed that 25 finalists across various tertiary institutions in the country qualified for tomorrow’s final. “Their business ideas and products will be showcased at the event on Tuesday. These undergraduates have made in-roads in the world of Agro-allied ventures, Manufacturing, Services, construction, real estate, software design and Information Technologies, arts and crafts, etc.,” Aderinwale said.

He noted that the competition, started last year, has uncovered many potential employers of labour, adding that many of them are now doing businesses worth hundreds of millions in naira.

Aderinwale disclosed in a statement that the three top entries for this year are from Olarewaju Fadodun, a Microbiologist whose company Temophadis International specialises in making African foods affordable and easy to cook; Aliyu Bello Aliyu, a Pharmacist, whose firm off-k.com provides a platform for students to conveniently locate and securely pay for suitable accommodation while offering significant cost and time savings; and Emmanuel Tishion, a Business Administrator, whose company Zoberry Food & Beverage, industrially processes extracts of hibiscus Sabdariffa (Zobo) with a blend of natural fruit into premium quality refreshing pro-health drink called Zoberry.

“A panel of judges made up of entrepreneurs who have achieved success, wealth of experience and knowledge of the Nigerian Business Environment interrogated these business ideas

“These young entrepreneurs will be mentored through sharing of personal experiences and sponsorship by successful entrepreneurs, EO (Nigeria),” the GSEA Lagos Chapter Chair said.

He explained that EO is the world’s only peer-to-peer global network exclusively for entrepreneurs. “Founded in 1987, EO enables business owners to learn from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. The organisation has more than 160 chapters in 50 countries including Nigeria,” Aderinwale said.

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