NLI successfully conducted debate competitions in Senior Secondary Schools in the FCT, Abuja.  The competitions encouraged the development of values and patriotism amongst students of these schools.  Zonal competitions were also held in each Area Council, while the winners of the zonal competitions contested for the top prize in a final.

Click here to view flyer

The winner of each zonal competition went home with educational materials, computers and a trophy. The overall FCT Champion was presented with a trophy, additional educational materials and  invited to a forum with Representatives of FCT Administration, NLI and our sponsor Stanbic IBTC Plc.

The Business Plan Competition (BPC) is an effective program to build entrepreneurship skill and kick start Small Medium Enterprise (SME) development. The competition combines classroom training, one-to-one mentors, entrepreneurship coaching, networking and aftercare to support business start up and growth.  By working hand-in-hand with a network of local partners: local business schools, training and business advisory service providers, leading entrepreneurship associations, private sector mentors, local business leaders and financial institutions -  NLI facilitates collaboration and business activities among stakeholders.

Read the NLI BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION (BPC) Report

NLI’s first Business Plan Competition (BPC) was successfully completed on the 31st of October, 2009.  The Business Plan Competition is an effective program to build entrepreneurship skills and kick start Small & Growing Business (SGB) development.

Objectives include:

(i)             To identify entrepreneurs with high potential business ideas;

(ii)            Provide selected entrepreneurs with training, mentoring and access to capital;

(iii)           Act as a channel for equity and loan funds to the resulting SGBs;

(iv)           Stimulate economic development through the creation of jobs and growth businesses.

Participants from the competition participated in a one-week training session facilitated by the Lagos Business School’s Enterprise Development Services (EDS).  Participants were awarded a Certificate on completion of the training program.

After the training program, participants re-evaluated their Business Plans and presented their Business Proposals to a panel of judges:

1) Mr. Gbenga Oyebode – Managing Partner, Aluko and Oyebode, Nigeria

2) Ms Funke Smith – Head of Consumer Banking,  First Bank Nigeria

3) Mr Ndubuisi Ihedigbo – Head of Agricultural  Finance and Special Products, First Bank Nigeria

4) Mr. Dotun Sulaiman – Chairman, Accenture Nigeria

The top three (3) winners were announced at NLI’s Annual Awards Dinner.  The winners were:

1st: Agugo Boniface (Briquette Nigeria)
Prize Money – $15,000

2nd: Ugbor Chidi (FREP FOODS)
Prize Money: $10,000

3rd: Ojo Opeolu Oyejide(Cecejyde Biogenerics)
Prize Money: $7,500 dollars

In June 2006, NLI held the first NLI National Essay Competition with a theme on values-based society and leadership. The competition was open to Nigerians everywhere and the respondents were asked to write about the essential values a good Nigerian society should be built on and how these values should be embedded in our society. They were also asked to name a present day Nigerian who they would describe as a values-based leader and why.

A diverse range of essay entries was received and in December 2006, NLI released a report on the competition titled Our Shared Values. Whilst being an aggregate analysis of the views of all essay respondents, Our Shared Values also contains articles from various sector leaders on how their various sectors can help to incorporate values into the Nigerian society.

The Winners of the Essay Competition are:

First Prize – Felix Ekpang Akombi, who won a cash prize of N250,000 and had his winning entry published in the THISDAY Newspaper edition of December 11, 2006.

Second Prize – Kenneth Uche Ohaeri, who won a cash prize of N150,000

Third Prize – Olubunmi Fakunle, who won a cash prize of N100,000.