The City Boy Movement, Ogun State Chapter, awarded N14m to winners of its technology grant initiative during the Annual Youth Summit held at the June 12 Cultural Centre in Abeokuta.
The competition, which was initially announced as a N10m programme, took an unexpected turn when Mr Seyi Tinubu, co-host of the summit, pledged an additional N4m after being impressed by the presentations of the finalists.
The organisers disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
They said the additional N4m pledge by Tinubu underscores the City Boy Movement’s commitment to ensuring that no innovative idea is left unsupported.
According to them, the innovation grant competition brought together some of the brightest minds in Ogun State, with participants presenting creative solutions to pressing societal, environmental, and economic challenges.
Their presentations highlighted the immense potential of Nigeria’s youth to leverage technology for transformative change.
“This initiative is part of a larger N45m empowerment program unveiled at the summit,” the organisers said.
“In addition to financial rewards, the winners will receive mentorship opportunities from industry leaders, access to potential investors, and resources to refine and scale their innovations.”
The 2024 Ogun State City Boy Youth Summit, which also featured grants for small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs, scholarships for students, and financial support for market women, has set a high standard for youth empowerment and innovation in Nigeria.
The summit was attended by several distinguished guests including Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Senator Adeola Solomon; Minister for Communication and Digital Economy Dr Bosun Tijani; Minister for Youth Development Ayodele Wisdom; Director-General of the ITF Dr Oluwatoyin Afiz; and Director-General of SMEDAN Mr Charles Odii.
For the innovators who secured the grants, the organisers noted that the event represented a pivotal moment in their journey, signaling a future powered by the creativity and resilience of Nigeria’s youth.