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