DevEast Ignites Innovation And Youth Empowerment At 2025 Entrepreneurship Week

Enterprise Development Center, Federal University of Technology Owerri, Nigeria – 8th September 2025

DevEast hosted the 2025 edition of its Entrepreneurship Week on July 15, 16, and 18 at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), delivering a dynamic three-day event that celebrated innovation, inspired entrepreneurial thinking, and fostered mentorship among students and faculty.

The Entrepreneurship Week event featured three high-impact sessions: a Train-the-Trainers workshop for lecturers and facilitators, a Mentorship Session for budding student entrepreneurs, and a Business Pitch Competition that spotlighted emerging ideas and rewarded innovation.

The Train-the-Trainers session of Entrepreneurship Week, held on Tuesday, 15th July 2025, was led by Ikenna Okechukwu, who delivered a thought-provoking lecture on enterprise development and empowering facilitators for impact. Attendees included trainers and lecturers from tertiary institutions across Imo State.

Dr. Abraham Ngunta, Director of the Enterprise Development Center at FUTO, commended DevEast’s consistent commitment over the past five years not only to integrating entrepreneurship into academic curricula but also to equipping educators with modern, practical approaches to nurturing student-led innovation.

On July 16, students from institutions across the South-East and South-South regions of Nigeria, including FUTO, Imo State University (IMSU), Federal Polytechnic Nekede, University of Nigeria (Nsukka), Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, University of Uyo, and Abia State University, participated in an engaging mentorship forum.

Mr. Collins Onuegbu, Founder of DevEast and Chairman of Signal Alliance Technology Holding (SATH), delivered inspiring remarks and offered personalized feedback to students during a vibrant Q&A session. His guidance motivated participants to refine their business models and think more strategically about innovation and execution.

Showcasing Talent: Business Pitch Competition

The grand finale took place on July 18, as seven student-led businesses from four institutions pitched their ideas to a panel of expert judges. The competition celebrated the entrepreneurial talent and creativity thriving in Nigerian universities, with three standout teams receiving startup funding:

• Kaylani Hair Essentials (FUTO) – A beauty and personal care brand addressing local market needs – Top Prize Winner
• Acadeva (University of Uyo) – An edtech platform enhancing learning through technology – First Runner-Up
• Trash and Cash (FUTO) – A sustainable waste-to-wealth initiative – Second Runner-Up

Other remarkable entries included Flickmart (an e-commerce startup from UNN) and Gifty Nut (a food processing venture from Michael Okpara University), both of which impressed judges and attendees alike. All participants received constructive feedback to strengthen their entrepreneurial journeys.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Collins Onuegbu described DevEast Entrepreneurship Week as a movement to empower Nigeria’s youth and educators to drive innovation, create jobs, and fuel economic growth. “The success of this year’s edition reinforces the transformative power of entrepreneurship education and cross-institutional collaboration,” he said.

About DevEast

DevEast is a social impact organization committed to revitalizing the economic landscape of Eastern regions through strategic programs and initiatives. Our mission is to develop the Eastern economy by empowering entrepreneurs and businesses and fostering economic collaborations. 

For more information, contact:
DevEast

Email: [email protected]

Social handles: Deveast.