On 03 October 2024, Commonwealth Alumni in Nigeria convened to showcase and spotlight development impact through entrepreneurship and business innovation, as part of their celebrations to mark 65 years of Commonwealth Scholarships.
The event comprised a business fair led by Commonwealth Alumni business owners and entrepreneurs and panel discussion on the topic, ‘Entrepreneurship and business innovation: creating opportunities and sustainable outcomes’.
Promoting entrepreneurship and social enterprise
The fair brought together 100 participants, alongside alumni exhibitors and those from other social enterprises and development organisations. Commonwealth Alumni exhibitors included:
- GetIn Consulting, owned by Mariam Momodu (2014 Commonwealth Shared Scholar)
- TedPrime, owned by Ayodele Odeogbola (2017 Commonwealth Distance learning Scholar)
- Fullcircle Geriatrics, owned by Gbeminiyi Laolu-Adewale (2023 Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholar)
- Abakaliki Girls-In-ICT, owned by Patrick Ede (2021 Commonwealth Professional Fellow)
- Festus Fajemilo Foundation, owned by Afolabi Fajemilo (2014 Professional Fellow)
- HOPE Initiative for Mental Wellness and Anti-Drug Society, owned by Adedotun Ajiboye (2006 Commonwealth Shared Scholar)
They were joined by exhibitors, including Sustainable Impact and Development Initiative, STEM METS and The Neo Child Initiative for Africa.
Creating opportunities
Following the open business fair, participants gathered to participate in a panel discussion on, ‘Entrepreneurship and business innovation: creating opportunities and sustainable outcomes’.
Meet the panel
- Jonny Baxter, Deputy High Commissioner, British High Commission in Nigeria
- Dr Adetoun Mustapha, Projects’ Excellence Manager, Shell Nigeria Exploration & Production Company (2002 Commonwealth Scholar)
- Ayodele Odeogbola, Co-Founder, TedPrime (2017 Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholar)
- Dr Abiodun Adereni, CEO, HelpMum
- Dr Olubunmi Kole-Dawodu, Deputy Director, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Lagos
- Oreoluwa Lesi, Founder and Executive Director of the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (WTEC)
Panellists highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship and job creation to support sustainable livelihoods. They discussed the role of collaboration in entrepreneurship and business innovation and building meaningful connections and networks to access achievements. Panellists also stressed the importance of credibility and data driven ventures as key to success, as well as continuous self-improvement and learning.
The session concluded with a Q&A.
