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Lagos FI Chapter Graduates 21, Changes to Stanbic IBTC-Founder Institute Lagos
Founder Institute, Lagos Chapter, in its maiden edition of Velocity, graduated its first cohort of entrepreneurs, after a rigorous 14-week class.
The graduation ceremony which took place, on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at Victoria Island, Lagos, saw a huge the turn out stakeholders in the industry event.
The atmosphere at the Commerce House, where the graduation took place, was lit, as the graduates, (founders), start-up mentors, entrepreneurs, captains of industries, top bank executives and potential start-up founders all graced the occasion.
Delivering the welcome address of the day, Demola Sogunle, deputy managing director, Stanbic IBTC Bank, who was represented by Wole Adeniyi, executive director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, emphasised the role of technology, in enhancing business.
“Technology is about enabling business, making it easier and convenient, to make progress and just like what we are set to do daily, making progress with our customers is part of the alignment in several fonts”, Sogunle observed.
A cross-section of Mentors and FI Directors
The DMD expressed his delight, at being part of the Founder Institute project. “There are many other projects that can be done going forward; so many opportunities for growth and most important is, in adding value, but we take it a step at a time”, he emphasized.
“We are confident that, the start-ups have been empowered to deliver value. We are very proud to be part of the story and we believe that, you will do well”, added Demola, as he congratulated the graduates and the management of Founder Institute.
Delivering the keynote speech, John Obaro, founder, SystemSpecs and developer of Remita, the payment platform, titled his keynote address; “My 27 pence”. Obaro noted that, problems are opportunities, waiting to be unraveled, emphasising the need to fail forward, in pursuit of success. “According to Stanbic IBTC, over 80% of Nigerian start-ups fail, within their first five years”, he noted.
John Obaro, Founder, SystemSpecs, delivering the keynote address
Obaro expressed some valuable points in his keynote speech. Some of these include the following:
- The need to get hungry, to provide a working solution and make an impact
- The need to build a strong team
- The power of focus, (identifying a clear problem and having a solution)
“There are too many “technologies” and “solutions” out there, looking for a problem to solve.”
- The need for quality products and services
- The need for brainstorming and balanced thinking
- Building a good business policy, with values
“Be aware of trends and adapt your business models and practices, to suite the same. Relevance is the currency of the digital age. Consistently seek it – through innovation!”, stressed Obaro.
Obaro concluded by emphasising the need for the graduates, to collaborate as the partnership formed with others, will be used to harness strengths and extend the opportunity window.
There was, also, a panel session that had a discussion on start-ups and the Nigerian market.
Present among the panelists were, Onyema Akumah, Founder and CEO, Farmcrowdy, Peter Obadare, co-founder, Digital Encode, Tosin Faniro-Dada , Head, Lagos Innovate, LSETF and other guests.
Highlights from the panel discussion include:
- The importance of business networking
- Startu-ps collaboration with others
- Creating platforms that would foster online and offline presence
- The need for founders, to continue learning
21 Founders out of the initial 46 that started the class, graduated, in the first cohort of the Lagos Founder Institute Chapter.
They are Colord tees, Corrents, DiGita, Eazycheck, EscroWallet, Osteena Organics, LaborHack, Baller Zone, LaserPay, Lime start, Scrapays, Agenpo, Athlst, Cargo-L,Padimi, Paperloops, Rentit, Sabiteach,Tokeeto,Tres Melanin and Zowasel.
A cross-section of the founders, Mentors and FI Directors
They all presented their pitch, in the course of the event and got presented with certificates, at the end of the graduation ceremony.
It was announced by the Directors, that Founder Institute, Lagos, has been renamed, Stanbic IBTC-Founder Institute Lagos.
In the true spirit of the festive season, Globacom has introduced “Glo Take a Guess,” a new value-added service designed to entertain, engage, and reward subscribers across Nigeria.
The interactive trivia game lets customers test their knowledge of everyday topics and lifestyle trends for a chance to win airtime, data, and exciting cash prizes.
According to Globacom, subscribers can join the fun by dialing 209992# and choosing from daily, weekly, or monthly plans. Once subscribed, they’ll receive an SMS confirmation with a link to play.
“Participants stand a chance to win fantastic rewards, including airtime, data, and cash prizes, when they answer trivia questions correctly,” the company explained. “It’s a fun and rewarding experience for everyone.”
Subscription costs ₦100 per day, ₦300 per week, or ₦500 per month — with corresponding rewards of ₦10,000 daily, ₦100,000 weekly, and up to ₦1 million monthly. The more subscribers play, the greater their chances of winning.
Globacom added that “Glo Take a Guess” is more than just a game — it’s a lighthearted way to stay entertained and earn rewards while easing the pressures of rising living costs.
Telecommunications giant, Globacom, has launched an exciting new lottery service — Glo Play Up — designed to blend fun, anticipation, and the prospect of life-changing rewards for its subscribers.
Glo Play Up offers Nigerians a simple yet thrilling opportunity to turn small predictions into multi-million-naira wins. The game invites subscribers to pick a lucky number between 1 and 9 for a chance to strike gold.
To participate, Glo customers simply dial *400# or send their chosen number via SMS to 400. Each entry costs just ₦100, and players can either subscribe daily or play on demand — whenever inspiration strikes.
In a statement issued in Lagos, Globacom described the initiative as more than just a game of chance, but a celebration of hope and possibility.
“We understand the optimism and adventurous spirit of Nigerians,” the company explained. “People love to dream, play, and believe in the power of that one big win. Glo Play Up makes that dream more attainable — it’s easy to play, affordable, and truly rewarding.”
Every Friday at 4 p.m., a weekly draw will take place at Glo’s Head Office, where ten lucky subscribers will each receive ₦1 million. In addition, a grand prize winner will be announced monthly, walking away with an impressive ₦10 million. Winners will be hosted at their nearest Glo Regional Office, and all cash prizes will be credited directly into their MoneyMaster Wallet accounts.
With Glo Play Up, entertainment meets empowerment — reinforcing Globacom’s commitment to innovation, connection, and customer delight. The service not only promises excitement but also the possibility of transforming lives through rewarding experiences.
For more information, visit https://www.gloworld.com/ng/glo-play-up-lottery
In an era where organisations are redefining leadership and equity, MTN Nigeria continues to set the pace with its growing cadre of women in senior leadership positions. The company’s consistent recognition of female excellence, both within and beyond its walls, reflects a deep, deliberate culture of inclusion and empowerment.
L-R: Katuka Halilu, Regional General Manager, MTN Nigeria; Ajibola Opeoluwa-Calebs, Senior Manager, Reward, MTN Nigeria; Esther Akinnukawe, Chief Human Resources Officer, MTN Nigeria, and ThankGod Otorkpa, General Manager, Regional Operations (Northwest), MTN Nigeria at the Award Ceremony and Gala Night of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
Most recently, Esther Akinnukawe, Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at MTN Nigeria, was conferred with the Fellowship Award of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) at the CIPM Gala Night and Awards Ceremony held on Thursday, October 30th, 2025.“This recognition is truly fulfilling, it represents the culmination of years of passion and perseverance. To be honoured by the leading institute for HR professionals in Nigeria is a remarkable achievement. I look forward to applying my experience and insight to continue strengthening MTN’s people strategy and driving excellence in human resource management,” Akinnukawe said following the honour.
Her recognition adds to a growing list of milestones achieved by MTN Nigeria’s female leaders in recent years. In July 2025, Uto Ukpanah, the company’s Company Secretary, made history as the 30th President and Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), becoming only the second woman to hold the role in nearly six decades. According to the company’s 2024 Annual Report, women now represent 41.4% of the total workforce, 34.7% of management, and 21.4% of the board. These figures reflect a steady rise in gender representation across all levels, supported by a range of internal programmes focused on inclusion, mentorship, and leadership development.
In the first half of 2025, MTN Nigeria’s strong financial and operational performance further reinforced the strength of its diverse leadership. The company recorded a 54.6% increase in service revenue to ₦2.4 trillion and an impressive EBITDA growth of 119.5%, reflecting its resilience, innovation, and effective people strategy.
This performance culture, anchored on inclusion and excellence, is reflected across the company’s leadership team. Beyond Ukpanah and Akinnukawe, several women occupy influential positions shaping the company’s vision and social impact. They include Dr. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, Chairman of the MTN Foundation; Odunayo Sanya, Executive Director of the MTN Foundation and recipient of the 2024 CSI Personality of the Year Award at the Nigeria Tech Innovation & Telecoms Awards; A’isha Mumuni, Chief Digital Officer; Oby Ugboma, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer; Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer; Ugonwa Nwoye, Chief Customer Relations and Experience Officer; and Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer.
Her journey, from teaching and consulting to leading human capital strategy for Africa’s leading TechCo brand, exemplifies MTN’s belief that empowered women empower organisations.
MTN’s ongoing success story, both in its financial results and in people development, demonstrates that diversity is not just a metric, it’s a growth strategy. As the company continues to invest in digital skills, entrepreneurship, and social impact programmes, its commitment to elevating women into positions of influence remains resolute.
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