British Council, Firm empower youth entrepreneurs

An impact advisory firm, Octoville Development Company, has partnered with the British Council and King’s Trust International to support 70 youth-led businesses through training and mentorship programmes. According to the Chief Operating Officer and Programme Coordinator of Octoville, Oluwaseun Olorunmaye, the empowernment was made available through the Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge Pitch and Graduation Programme […]

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

According to the Chief Operating Officer and Programme Coordinator of Octoville, Oluwaseun Olorunmaye, the empowernment was made available through the Youth Sustainable Enterprise Challenge Pitch and Graduation Programme in Abuja.

Olorunmaye said the initiative aims to empower young people to become sustainable entrepreneurs and create jobs through training, technology, and mentorship.

He stated, “This training is solely for entrepreneurs. Over the last seven weeks, we have trained 70 entrepreneurs on business and soft skills.

“This is based on the understanding that many entrepreneurs in Nigeria already possess technical skills but struggle to scale their businesses or manage them effectively due to a lack of business and soft skills.

“The current event is a pitching competition, where eight participants will win grants for their businesses or business ideas.

“Following this competition, we will implement a three-month mentorship programme. Participants have already been paired with mentors, who will help ensure their businesses.”

Also speaking, the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, commended Octoville for the YSEC programme.

Olawande, represented by his Special Assistant on Gender Matters and Inclusion, Kehinde Ajolaoni, said the programme would empower youths to create sustainable businesses and generate employment opportunities, contributing to the nation’s economic growth.

He said, “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.

“We are particularly impressed by the 70 talented participants, 60 per cent of whom are female, who have undergone intensive training and are now poised to showcase their innovative business ideas.”