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EMNews – SME 100 Nigeria 25 Under 25 Awards 2017

24 August 2017

ABOUT SME 100 NIGERIA

SME100 Nigeria is a leader in youth-driven entrepreneurship training. We find, prepare & connect young entrepreneurs with the resources, training and support they need to run a successful entrepreneurial venture.

ABOUT THE 25 UNDER 25 AWARDS

The 25 Under 25 Entrepreneurs Awards is an annual award by SME 100 to recognize, celebrate and encourage some of Nigeria’s most innovative entrepreneurs under the age of 25. The goal of this award is to stimulate an entrepreneurial culture among our youths. We identify young people doing phenomenal work across the country, shine the spotlight on them so that all others can see them, and aspire to set up businesses as well. On the other hand, we are actively tackling the menace of widespread youth unemployment in Nigeria. There was a time when high unemployment rates in the country was a problem and people were unable to overcome this and create or find jobs; but times have changed and awards like this emphasize this reality. Today, frankly you can take charge of your career and if nobody gives you a job, you can make one. The tools and inspiration are everywhere; the big question for our youths now is; what do you want to do?

Furthermore, an award like this is aimed at changing the narrative on African youths. In the past, the continent may have been associated with backwardness and economic under-progressiveness but this generation of youths are changing that. The African rising theme is beyond a placative; it is real and we have hundreds of amazing youth entrepreneurs to prove this. Today, young people have ignored social class, tribe or another thing that divided us; to tap into their creative energies and champion ingenious enterprises that provides solution to a variety of needs in Africa.

The youth population is also a group that desperately requires role
models and nobody shows how much one can do like someone with a similar reality; braving the odds and creating formidable businesses. Therefore, we are celebrating those that should be celebrated in our country to become examples, in the area of entrepreneurship, to so many others; who have in them a desire to do great things as well.

THE CATEGORIES

For the 2017 awards we have 25 categories. We would be recognizing young entrepreneurs who have started thriving businesses in such industries as; Technology & Cyber Security, Fashion, Arts& Crafts, Health, Energy, Real Estate, Professional Services among others. A full list of categories is available on the SME 100 Nigeria website; www.sme100Nigeria.com and attached herewith.

THE JUDGING PROCESS

The final Awards event holds on Saturday August 26th 2017, 2 weeks from now. However, the process began over 6 months ago. We opened up the web portal for nominations in June 2017 and so far we have RECEIVED OVER 3,500 NOMINATIONS; who would have thought there were so many youth owned businesses in Nigeria? As at today the Awards Central Working Committee who have been working tirelessly for the past 2 weeks have shortlisted all nominations to the final 100 nominees. We would be sending this list to our board for upward approval before it is published tomorrow on our media portal; www.100talks.ng. This is significant as the unveiling of the 100 nominees is designed to coincide with the United NATIONS WORLD YOUTH DAY; THAT HOLDS 12TH AUGUST ANNUALLY.

Once the list of 100 is released on our website, voting begins on the platform right away; as we work our way from 100 to the 25 finalists to be recognized on August 26th. In this actually, everyone is a winner and we trust that the ultimate winner is the Nigerian youth who through this platform and series of events have been made more aware of the options available to him/her and can now be driven to achieve great things.

THE LAGOS SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT

In the month of October, we would be holding one of our two annual
events; one is the 25 under 25 awards, the second is the Lagos Small Business Summit. This is an event that brings together key stakeholders in helping small and medium scale businesses thrive in Lagos State. It is a rendezvous of governments, SMEs, professionals supporting SMEs and all other key stakeholders to discuss strategies and plans to develop the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the state.

LIST OF CATEGORIES

1. Cyber Security & Technology

2. Fashion

3. Arts, Crafts & Culture

4. Food

5. Health & Skincare

6. Education

7. Energy & Sustainability

8. Media & Information Communication

9. Sports

10. Social Entrepreneurship

11. Beauty & Make-up