AbdulRazaq Awards Cash Prizes To 15 Student Entrepreneurs At Kwara Expo

The Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has empowered 15 most outstanding business creatives with start-up funds at the end of the Kwara State Entrepreneurship Expo held in Ilorin, the state capital.

Held in commemoration of International Students’ Day 2025, the programme was put together by the Office of the Special Assistant to the Students Affairs, Hon. Wasiu Onidugbe.

Fifteen out of 582 student entrepreneurs, who had made it to the final stage after a rigorous screening, pitched their business proposals before a panel of judges.

Pitches were centred on fashion designs, solar-powered systems (SunPods), fishery farming, web hosting services, bakeries, ushering, food delivery services, event management, and poultry, among other businesses.

At the end of the pitch, a 500-level student of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development at the University of Ilorin, Zainab Olatumbi, emerged as the overall winner and was handed a N1m cash gift after successfully pitching a beans delivery business.

Additionally, Waheed Lukman of the University of Ilorin (first runner-up) received a grant of N800,000, while Lawal Atinuke of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, received N600,000 as the prize for second runner-up.

The other 12 finalists also got consolation prizes of N250,000.00 each to support their businesses.

“Today’s Entrepreneurship Expo is another crucial step towards the goal of building a Kwara where every young person can succeed, regardless of background.

“It is designed to encourage student-led innovation, promote business creativity, and cultivate an entrepreneurial culture that aligns with the economic vision of our state”, the governor said.

AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Commissioner of Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, said the application by over 580 students for the expo clearly demonstrated the creativity, passion, and enterprising spirit of Kwara students.