Nine startups received a total of N9.75 million after emerging winners in the 2026 Abuja Young Entrepreneurs’ Hunt organised by the Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL) in partnership with the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA).
The competition rewarded entrepreneurs in the information and communications technology (ICT), creative and agribusiness sectors, with first, second and third-place winners in each category receiving N1.5 million, N1 million and N750,000 respectively.
Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AICL, Maureen Tamuno, said the initiative was aimed at helping young entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses beyond the competition.
‘The level of training and mentorship they receive from professionals during the programme goes far beyond the competition itself. It gives them ideas on visibility, expansion and sustainability,’ she said.
Tamuno said winners would continue to receive support after the competition through mentorship and exposure to investors.
‘We have mechanisms in place to follow up with them. That is why previous winners return every year to share their success stories and inspire new participants,’ she added.
She said this year’s winners would also have the opportunity to pitch their businesses before investors during the Abuja Business and Investment Expo (ABIS) 3.0 scheduled for August 5 to 7.
Tamuno identified access to finance, electricity and long-term funding as some of the major challenges confronting young entrepreneurs.
‘We now have renewable energy solutions that are helping businesses reduce dependence on the national grid. One of our markets operates entirely on green energy, and we encourage entrepreneurs to take advantage of these opportunities,’ she noted.
She urged more private organisations and development partners to support youth-led businesses.
‘All we need to do is believe in Nigeria and believe in what we do. As we evolve, we create opportunities for people who want to come into the space,’ she explained.
The Acting Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Abuja Enterprise Agency, Chudi Ugwuada-Ezirigwe, said the organisers selected ICT, the creative economy and agribusiness because of their potential to drive economic growth and employment.
‘The journey of a million miles begins with one step. We started with these sectors, but we intend to expand as more innovative business ideas emerge,’ he said.
Chairman of the judging panel and economist, Paul Alaje, said the entries were assessed based on innovation, sustainability, financial viability, scalability and their potential to create jobs.
‘These businesses will generate employment, reduce imports, promote exports and contribute to economic growth,’ he said.
Among the winners was Plastic Abdullahi Suleiman, who won the creative category with an innovation that converts plastic waste and sand into interlocking paving stones.
‘We are turning plastic waste into stronger, more affordable interlocks. We believe this innovation can help solve both environmental pollution and road construction challenges,’ Suleiman said.
Winner of the ICT category and Chief Executive Officer of Cyber Vigil, Ridwanllah Adeleke, called for greater collaboration with indigenous cybersecurity firms.
‘Government agencies should partner with local cybersecurity companies to strengthen the protection of critical public infrastructure against data breaches,’ he said.
Pamela Azeminor, first runner-up in the creative category, said the prize money would help expand her fashion training business.
‘Access to finance remains one of the biggest challenges for young entrepreneurs. This support will enable us to acquire equipment that will prepare fashion designers for global opportunities,’ she said.