MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, has launched a new initiative to empower young Nigerians with viable businesses through capacity building and grants.
The new initiative called the MTN Pulse Blow My Hustle initiative was announced at a press launch in Lagos.
According to a 2021 report by the Fate Institute, 67 per cent of Nigerian entrepreneurs are young people aged 18 to 35 years. The report reveals that the Nigerian entrepreneurial sector is developing at a strong pace and identified scarce financing opportunities as a source of frustration for the entrepreneurs. MTN Nigeria seeks to help fill this gap through the MTN Pulse Blow My Hustle campaign.
Speaking at the press launch, chief marketing officer, MTN Nigeria, Adia Sowho said: “the ‘hustle spirit’ amongst Nigeria’s young people is truly inspiring as they are innovative, entrepreneurial. MTN is here to support that ‘hustle’ so that their dreams can become reality.
“Young business owners have told us what they need, and with MTN Pulse Blow My Hustle, we will share business skills from experts in relevant fields, and create access to financial grants. We look forward to the transformation that this initiative will propel.”
Sowho stated that, MTN will provide grants and training for 100 young Nigerians who have existing businesses or seeking to start a new one, saying, the shortlisted participants will have the opportunity to receive intensive virtual training from industry leaders and professionals that cut across personal development, wealth and investment management, digital marketing, website development, elevator pitches, amongst others, for two weeks.
She explained that to participate in the MTN Pulse Blow My Hustle, young Nigerians, who are MTN subscribers, between ages 16 to 30 can submit a video pitch on the dedicated MTN Pulse website stating their ‘hustle’ and how a financial grant will scale the business.
“Of the 100 shortlisted businesses that will undergo two weeks of training, 20 finalists will receive a range of grants as high as N10 million, which will be awarded based on the qualities of pitches presented during a grand finale event and assessed by a panel of judges.
“Members of the panel drawn from different business sectors include Tricia Olufemi-Olumide popularly known as Triciabiz, Oluwatosin Ajibade popularly known as Mr Eazi, a social innovator and entrepreneur, Chukwuma Monye, and the Co-founder of Bluechip Technologies, Olumide Soyombo,” she added.
