MTN Foundation Inducts 6,000 Entrepreneurs, Awards N300m Grants to Boost Digital and Business Skills
The MTN Foundation has inducted 6,000 beneficiaries into its alumni network following the completion of its ICT and Business Skills Training programme, reaffirming its commitment to empowering young Nigerians with digital and entrepreneurial capabilities.
Speaking at the induction ceremony, the Executive Director of the foundation noted that the initiative has continued to deliver tangible benefits to Nigerians, stressing that the programme goes beyond basic skills acquisition.
“Nigerians have benefited from this programme. What we are witnessing today goes beyond skills acquisition. We are building the productive backbone of our economy,” the Executive Director said.
Welcoming participants, the Director of the foundation, Surajudeen Yakubu, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the country’s future, emphasizing that the training is designed to nurture a generation of digitally savvy entrepreneurs capable of building sustainable ventures.
“We are celebrating the expansion of a movement – a growing network of young Nigerians equipped with digital and business skills to build sustainable ventures,” Yakubu stated.
One of the beneficiaries, Adenike Akintola, who operates a catering business for corporate events and social functions in Abuja, expressed gratitude to the foundation for the opportunity, describing the training as transformative for her business operations.
“I feel very fulfilled. I thank MTN ICT for this programme,” she said.
Akintola explained that prior to the training, she struggled to maintain proper records of her business transactions. However, the knowledge gained during the programme has helped her adopt better data management practices.
“Before now, I did not keep track of my sales because I needed a data analyst. But now, data has helped me to improve my business,” she said.
“Applying what I’ve learned to my business is now easier. I can track customers that ordered, I know the things I’m supposed to buy, I know how to deduct and balance. It has really been helpful,” she added.
The ceremony also featured panel discussions focused on entrepreneurship, digital innovation and business sustainability.
As part of the programme’s support for emerging entrepreneurs, the foundation presented grants worth N300 million to 600 outstanding participants who demonstrated exceptional performance during the training.
The event concluded with the formal induction of the participants into the MTN Foundation alumni network, positioning them within a wider ecosystem of entrepreneurs expected to collaborate, expand their businesses and create employment opportunities across Nigeria.