By Moses Patience Chat
Seplat Energy PLC has allocated about N16.5 million to 23 growing entrepreneurs in the Small-scale and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) category as seed money under its Global Entrepreneurship Fellowship programme.
The scheme is operated in collaboration with Conversations 4 Change (C4C), a nonprofit agency with a major objective of empowering young people to participate more effectively in all relevant areas of development.
The participants were engaged in a series of training and mentorship programmes sponsored by Seplat, preparing them for the greater world.
Speaking at the 2023 edition of the Seplat Global Entrepreneurship Fellowship programme in Abuja, Dr Chioma Nwachukwu, who represented Seplat Management, said the programme is aimed at developing participants’ leadership skills, social entrepreneurship and business management abilities, through generalized and targeted capacity building workshops.
Her words: “The graduates’ ability to act on their ideas is supported through equipment funding, as well as mentoring. This year, we are celebrating the 23 successful graduates who received a cumulative funding of N16.5 million in seed money.”
Mrs Nwachukwu also noted that Conversations for Change and Seplat Energy Plc have worked together since 2019 to ensure that the lives of young Nigerians in business are improved.
“Through this partnership, we have successfully trained and supported three batches of fellows; about 55 young entrepreneurs who are thriving, despite the odds stacked against businesses in the country,” she said.
While speaking at the programme, Ms Arunma Oteh, the former Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), commended Seplat for the initiative, saying Nigerians would do better in the MSMEs’ space once they are well supported.
