NLNG disburses N250m to 51 enterpreneurs
NLNG has disbursed a total of N250 million in grants to 51 entrepreneurs following the conclusion of its 2026 Vocational Innovation and Business Empowerment Scheme (VIBES), which began with the
NLNG has disbursed a total of N250 million in grants to 51 entrepreneurs following the conclusion of its 2026 Vocational Innovation and Business Empowerment Scheme (VIBES), which began with the induction of 103 participants drawn from its host communities in Rivers State.
The grants were awarded after a competitive pitch-a-thon that marked the end of the programme, with participants presenting their business ideas and funding requirements before a panel of judges. Beneficiaries were selected based on the viability, scalability, and sustainability of their proposals.
Speaking at the event, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall, said the funding component of VIBES was introduced to ensure participants move beyond training to actual business implementation.
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“What we are doing with this funding is bridging the gap between learning and execution. Many small businesses struggle at that stage where they have the knowledge but lack the capital to move forward. Through VIBES, we are providing targeted support to help these entrepreneurs implement their ideas, stabilise their operations, and position their businesses for growth,” she said.
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According to Horsfall, the initiative reflects NLNG’s broader commitment to sustainable community development by combining capacity building with access to finance, enabling beneficiaries to strengthen their businesses, create value, and build sustainable livelihoods within their communities.
Also speaking, Manager, Community Relations and Sustainable Development, Yemi Adeyemi, praised participants for their commitment throughout the programme and the quality of ideas showcased during the pitch-a-thon.
He noted that the grants are intended to provide critical growth capital for beneficiaries to expand operations, improve productivity, create jobs, and strengthen their market position.
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Adeyemi reaffirmed NLNG’s commitment to enterprise development and local capacity building, stressing that the company would continue to support initiatives that promote entrepreneurship and generate sustainable economic opportunities in its host communities.
The pitch-a-thon marked the culmination of a four-week intensive business capacity-building programme, during which participants received practical training in financial management, business strategy, marketing, and operations.
Built around innovation, scalability, and sustainability, the programme reinforces NLNG’s drive for inclusive economic development by pairing training with access to funding to help entrepreneurs grow and sustain their businesses.
