NINE WINNERS EMERGE AT MAIDEN AICL AND AEA YOUTH TALENT HUNT
By: Emmanuel Tortiv
Nine outstanding young Nigerians who successfully defended their business plans in Agriculture, ICT, and Creative Enterprise sectors have emerged winners at the grand finale of the maiden edition of the Abuja Youth Talent Hunt (AYTH) held on Thursday, 9th October, 2025.
The top prize in the Creative Enterprise Category went to Okesade Khabirat Brightness, CEO of Neciglobal Ltd, while Fatima Bello Suleiman of Fw Couture Ltd and Muhammed Sanusi of Upward Eco Ltd took second and third place respectively.
In the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) category, Owura Josiah Ekene, MD/CEO of Greenjolt Solutions Ltd, emerged overall best. He was followed by Israel Ogheneruemu Pender of I Learn Learning Spaces Ltd and Ogah Abeni, CEO of CarbonEx Ltd.
The Agriculture Sector winners included Valentine Nnaemeka Okoli, CEO of Bach & Moen Ltd, who clinched first position, followed by Adedini Solomon Tolulope and Ogunyemi Bukola Gbemisola, CEOs of Sol-Uniq Green Resources Ltd and Mabels Foodcity Ltd, respectively.
Earlier in August, Abuja Digest Newspaper reported that AYTH is an initiative of two of the FCTA’s business, entrepreneurship development, and investment arms; Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL) and Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA).
According to Dr. Chudi Ugwuada-Ezirigwe, Ag MD/CEO of AEA, a total of 918 youths submitted business plans during the 45-day process. Following rigorous screening and pitching sessions, 79 were shortlisted by a team of independent judges led by renowned economist Dr. Paul Alaje, and 30 advanced to the second round.
Dr. Ezirigwe explained that the AICL-AEA collaboration aims to promote innovation and entrepreneurship by fostering a culture of sound business planning and sustainable enterprise development — positioning Abuja as Africa’s preferred investment destination.
“We believe strongly that when small businesses prosper, the entire economy prospers,” he said. “By removing barriers, expanding access to resources, and promoting skills development, we can build an ecosystem where MSMEs thrive, jobs are created, and sustainable growth becomes a reality.”
He expressed gratitude to FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, and AICL’s Group MD/CEO, Amb. Maureen Tamuno (Ph.D) for providing the platform that continues to inspire hope and growth among youths in the Territory.
In her remarks, Group Managing Director, AICL, Amb. Maureen Tamuno commended the finalists and extended special invitations to the top 60 AYTH participants to showcase their business ideas to investors at the 2025 Abuja Investment Summit coming up in October.
She encouraged all participants to keep refining their ideas and building their enterprises, emphasizing that Abuja’s economic strength lies not only in infrastructure but also in the creativity and determination of its young entrepreneurs.
The GMD commended her counterpart at AEA for the successful outcome of the event and emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration in improving service delivery in the FCT.
The event climaxed with the presentation of recognition plaques and cash awards to the top nine of the 15 finalists. Winners in each category received ₦1 million, ₦750,000, and ₦500,000 for the first, second, and third positions, respectively.
In their collective remarks, the winners expressed appreciation to AICL and AEA for the life-changing opportunity and urged both government and private sector organizations to continue supporting Nigeria’s SME sector, which they described as the nation’s biggest employer of labour.
The grand finale drew a diverse audience, including top management of AICL and AEA, other government MDAs, and representatives of corporate sponsors.
