The Mary Ojulari Foundation has announced call for applications for the second cohort of its flagship vanguard fellowship.
The fellowship is an entrepreneurship initiative designed to identify, equip, and support visionary innovators across Nigeria.
The announcement follows a successful first edition, which supported 25 entrepreneurs with a combined $125,000 in business growth funding.
According to the foundation, the new cohort will continue its mission of nurturing purpose-driven entrepreneurs building sustainable solutions to pressing community and economic challenges.
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Through a mix of capacity building, business mentorship, and catalytic funding, the programme aims to help participants transform their ideas into viable enterprises.
Applications are open from September 24 to October 26, 2025, with shortlisting slated for October 30. Interviews will hold between November 1 and 2, 2025.
Shortlisted candidates will participate in the Ignite Bootcamp — a two-week immersive training scheduled for November 10–21, culminating in a Pitch Day on November 20–21, where fellows will present their business ideas to investors and industry leaders for a chance to access seed funding and mentorship.
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Mary Ojulari said the fellowship was designed to bridge the gap between innovation and opportunity.
She added that true empowerment must create a ripple effect of transforming individuals while strengthening the communities they serve.
“There are so many ideas that fade, not because they lack potential, but because they lack access to capital, mentorship, and the right mindset,” she said.
“The Vanguard Fellowship exists to nurture those ideas and the exceptional individuals behind them. We’re building a community of bold thinkers who lead with purpose, create sustainable value, and inspire others to rise.
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“Our goal is to support founders who are intentional, disciplined, and ready to build solutions that make lives better. The impact must circulate — when one is lifted, others should rise too.”
Applications are open to aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs across Nigeria who are developing innovative and sustainable solutions to real challenges in their communities.
Each applicant is required to submit either a five-minute video or a 750-word written pitch outlining their story, business idea, and vision for impact.
Entries should be sent to [email protected]. Further details are available on the foundation’s official social media pages.
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