240 entrepreneurs get foundation’s N1b grants
Jerry Eze Foundation, the charitable arm of Pastor Jerry Eze, has given grants of N1 billion to 240 small and micro business owners, each receiving $3,000 to scale, transform or
Jerry Eze Foundation, the charitable arm of Pastor Jerry Eze, has given grants of N1 billion to 240 small and micro business owners, each receiving $3,000 to scale, transform or start a business during its Grant Award Ceremony at Transcorp Hotel, Abuja, .
The event is a key moment in the foundation’s mission to translate faith into economic transformation, bringing together business leaders, clergy, entertainers, and public figures to witness the empowerment of a new generation of Nigerian entrepreneurs.
Consulting firm, KPMG, was engaged to manage the beneficiary selection process. Over 16,000 registered, 9,668 completed the process and met the criteria, and 240 were selected. Priority was given to enterprises operating in agriculture and agribusiness, manufacturing, as well as technology and digital services. The selection ensured that the grants reached businesses with potential for growth and community impact.
In her keynote, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, former vice president of World Bank (Africa), delivered a clear message: “Every beneficiary, every dreamer in the room; the world does not need more magnified egos or glorified inaction dressed up as humility. What our continent needs, what Africa demands, is scale. Not just growth for growth’s sake, but deliberate, purposeful expansion that matches the size of the problems.” She added: “You no longer have the luxury of starting small and staying there. The resources have been placed in your hands. The platform has been given. The acceptable direction is impact at scale. Build accordingly.”
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Dr Ibukun Awosika, former chair of First Bank, said: “Jerry Eze Foundation has done something profound; it has built a bridge between potential and progress, and each awardee must harness their potential to the fullest. The smartest entrepreneurs are not the ones who know everything; they are the ones who know they do not. Every person in your ecosystem has walked a road you have not, seen things you have not, and learned what you are yet to learn. When you are wise enough to let that in, to pull those experiences and build with them, that is when you stop building a business and start building an institution.”
Chief Host and Founder, Pastor Jerry Eze, explained his inspiration for the grant programme and passion for charity. “My late mum was the one who taught me that you can give everything. So everything I know about giving I learned from my mother. She could have nothing, and still find something to give.” He reminded recipients of the weight of trust placed in them. He urged every small and micro business owner in the room to pursue value creation, not for themselves alone, but for their communities and for Nigeria. “Business owners who have received this grant today, by next year, you will stand here and testify how big your business has become”, he added.
The ceremony drew an exceptional gathering of eminent Nigerians from business, faith, governance, and culture. Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Olanipekun Olukayode, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). From the business community, Oliver Alawuba, Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, CEO of Flutterwave, Dr Stanley Uzochukwu, Founder of Delborough Group, and Obi Cubana were in attendance. Religious leaders, Pastor Poju Oyemade and Apostle Emmanuel Iren. The entertainment world was well represented, with Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD), Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Tonto Dikeh, Cross Okonkwo, Timi Dakolo, and Bucci Franklin among those present to celebrate the milestone.
