The Chief Executive Officer of Moniepoint, Tosin Eniolorunda, has awarded prizes to three young entrepreneurs from the University of Lagos as part of the inaugural Tosin Eniolorunda Innovation Challenge.
The founder of Craft by Leemart, a fashion leather brand, Halimat Ariyo, emerged as the winner, receiving N1m in prize money.
SafeMom, a healthtech startup, addressing maternal mortality, and UNISHOP, a retail-as-a-service platform, was announced as the first and second runners-up, respectively.
In a statement obtained on Sunday, Moniepoint revealed that the event, held at the University of Lagos, was centred on the theme “Bridging the Gap from Micro to Macro: Empowering SMEs To Drive Sustainable National Growth”.
Moniepoint encouraged participants to develop innovative solutions to the challenges faced by small and medium-sized enterprises in Nigeria.
The challenge aimed to equip emerging business leaders with the tools to innovate and solve problems effectively, underscoring Moniepoint’s commitment to supporting the entrepreneurial spirit among Nigeria’s youth and building a prosperous future for the nation.
The Moniepoint CEO, who was represented at the event by Head of Partnerships, Efemena Ogie, noted that small businesses are vehicles for innovation and problem-solving.
He stated that empowering them was not merely a strategic imperative but a moral obligation toward ensuring sustainable and inclusive prosperity for all.
He added that the initiative resonated strongly with him considering his early beginnings as an undergraduate at Obafemi Awolowo University, where he was solving problems for his peers on campus.
“This initiative aligns with our vision of powering dreams and being critical enablers for the growth of the SMES across Nigeria. We have seen firsthand the transformative power of innovation and problem-solving as pivotal building blocks for unlocking value, considering that the world belongs to dreamers and doers.
“Our growth has been driven by our ability to listen to the customers as well as provide innovative solutions to the challenges they have faced. Dreams and passions are the fundamental instruments for entrepreneurial activities, and the drive to provide financial happiness for all Nigerians, has kept us going.
“This Innovation Challenge is a solid platform to help more dreamers move their innovative ideas into becoming tangible ventures that can increase their contribution to the broader economy,” he said.
