By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja

ABUJA – Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Special Adviser to the Nigerian President on PEBEC and Investment, has urged young African innovators to embrace ethical disruption for societal improvement.

She made the call at the 10th edition of the Social Innovators Programme and Awards, event, hosted by LEAP Africa in partnership with the International Youth Foundation and Sahara Foundation.

The event celebrated young innovators across Africa for their disruptive leadership and innovation.

“Despite challenges, the continent is teeming with opportunities, and young leaders are spearheading change,” Dr. Oduwole said in her keynote address.

Emphasizing the importance of ethical innovation, she highlighted the Nigerian government’s efforts to enhance the business environment for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), including many youth-owned enterprises.

“Through a plethora of innovative approaches, the Nigerian government, under the PEBEC’s systemic intervention, has successfully implemented 180 reforms since 2016,” she added.

Held at the Abuja Continental Hotel, the two-day hybrid event saw the convergence of over 1500 entrepreneurs, funders, investors, business owners, social innovators, and change agents from various parts of Africa.

Mrs. Clare Omatseye, Board Chair of LEAP Africa, commended the team’s growth in fostering collaborations among entrepreneurs from different African nations, aimed at pioneering innovative approaches for social change across the continent.

Speaking at the event, Kehinde Ayeni, Executive Director, LEAP Africa, shed light on the Social Innovators Programme’s (SIP) mission.

“SIP supports creative young Africans from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Cameroon, Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania with ideas and initiatives to proffer practical solutions to identified challenges in local communities,” said Ayeni.

In its 10th year, LEAP Africa has supported over 279 social innovators with skills, mentorship, funding, and networks to scale their social enterprises.

The climax of the event was the presentation of awards and grants totaling up to $160,000, in collaboration with Sahara Foundation and International Youth Foundation.

Among the winners were Gift Muoneke of GreenEra Technology, who received the Innocent Chukwuma Award for Youth and Gender Empowerment in South Eastern Nigeria, and Jolis Nduwinana of Wege Company, who won the Seyi Bickersteth Award for Financial Accountability.

The Long Standing Partner Award was bestowed upon Union Bank Nigeria for their unwavering support to the Social Innovators Programme, and Sahara Foundation received the Special Partner Award for their continuous support of the programme.

The event was also graced by other prominent figures including Josephine Nzerem, Director of Ashoka Africa, Ikenna Anyadike, Venture and Fellowship Manager of Anglophone West Africa Ashoka, and Sherifah Balogun, Head of Fundraising and Partnership LSETF, among others.