Ojulary Foundation support reaches $180k as the non-profit boosts young Nigerian entrepreneurs through its Vanguard Fellowship Initiative

The Founder of the Mary Ojulary Foundation, Mary Ojulary, on Friday in Lagos announced that the organisation has disbursed a total of $180,000 to young entrepreneurs, marking the completion of two phases of its flagship empowerment scheme as the Ojulary Foundation support programme expands nationwide.

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Ojulary made the disclosure during the award night for the second cohort of the Vanguard Fellowship Initiative, where she described the foundation as an outgrowth of her long-term commitment to providing sustainable opportunities for children, youths and women.

She recalled that more than a decade of sponsoring pupils through primary, secondary and tertiary education had led many beneficiaries to return seeking additional help.

The persistent demand, she said, inspired a shift from scholarships alone to a broader focus on enterprise development and mentorship.

Her turning point came during the 2023 elections, when an outreach campaign on civic participation exposed her to many young people aged between 18 and 35 who were brimming with ideas but lacked guidance.

That encounter formed the basis for the foundation’s enterprise-focused model, which now includes coaching, training and ongoing mentorship.

The foundation’s two pillars are the Aspire Scholarship, which has supported 25 children, and the Vanguard Fellowship Initiative, which drives entrepreneurship funding.

Only the latter accounts for the $180,000 disbursed so far.

The Vanguard Fellowship Initiative features the Ignite Bootcamp, where applicants from across Nigeria undergo rigorous training before any funding is awarded.

Ojulary noted that thousands applied in the first cohort, but only 50 candidates were shortlisted due to limited resources, Of those, 21 received $5,000 each, with an additional four funded after another entrepreneur stepped in with extra support.

“In the first cohort in April 2025, we awarded $125,000 to 25 entrepreneurs. In this second cohort, we have provided N50 million to eight entrepreneurs. Altogether, it comes to about $180,000,” she said.

The event drew commendations from policymakers, including Lagos State House of Assembly member Gbolahan Yishawu, who praised Ojulary’s tireless humanitarian drive.

He urged the cohort to prepare policy papers and pledged to champion strong proposals before his colleagues.

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The ceremony underscored the foundation’s determination to cultivate entrepreneurial talent through mentorship, structured training and targeted financial support, reinforcing its ambition to strengthen small businesses and expand economic opportunities for Nigeria’s youth.