Entrepreneurship: KWSG lifts some students with N5.4m
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Kwara State Government has empowered some students across the tertiary institutions in the State with a sum of N5.4milllion naira.
The 15 contestants for the final stage of the competition were selected from over 500 applicants who submitted pitches for various and existing entrepreneurship projects, with a student from the University of Ilorin, Zainab Omodolapo, a beans vendor, emerging the winner of the contest with N1,000,000 take home.
The first runner up, Waheed Lukman, went home with N800,000, and the second runner up, Atinuke Lawal, won N600,000, while 12 other contestants got consolation prizes of N250,000 each.
Speaking at the event, which was organised in commemoration of the International Students’ Day (Expo), themed “Entrepreneurship for Development: Igniting students as catalyst for Economic prosperity”, on Monday in Ilorin, the state capital, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said International Students’ Day is not just a date on the calendar, but a reminder of the courage, potential, and resilience of students around the world, adding that “here in Kwara, we mark this Day by investing in what truly matters: the minds and future of our students”.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Lawal Olohungbebe, said: “Over the past six years, our administration has taken deliberate steps to reposition education and youth development as pillars of our growth strategy, which is evident in the massive infrastructural renewal in schools, merit-based recruitment of teachers, bursaries, scholarships, student safety interventions, and digital literacy programmes. In all of these, our mission has remained consistent: to build a Kwara where every young person can succeed, regardless of background
“It is my pleasure to join our students today as we celebrate the 2025 International Students’ Day and host the Grand Finale of the Kwara State Entrepreneurship Expo, an initiative inspired by our commitment to raise a generation of young people who are self-reliant, bold, innovative, and competitive.Today’s Entrepreneurship Expo is another important step toward that goal. It is designed to encourage student-led innovation, promote business creativity, and cultivate an entrepreneurial culture that aligns with the economic vision of our state.”
Governor AbdulRazaq commended the panel of judges, chaired by Prof. Mubaraq Sanni, for their professionalism and commitment to excellence throughout the process of the Entrepreneurship Expo as well as the Special Assistant on Students’ Affairs for driving this initiative with passion and clarity.
“I am delighted that over 580 students applied for the Entrepreneurship Expo, a clear demonstration of the creativity, passion, and enterprising spirit of Kwara students. After a thorough review, 15 exceptional pitches have qualified for the final stage and won entrepreneurship grants,” he added.
For his part, Special Assistant to the Governor on Students’ Affairs, Salami Onidugbe, said: “The Entrepreneurship Expo being witnessed today is a direct outcome of that vision by Governor AbdulRazaq, as it is a platform designed to identify, support, and scale the innovative ideas of students who are already running businesses.
“The programme, in line with that vision, is to empower young people and promote innovation, skills, and enterprise in the state.”